Systems and methods for treatment of sleep apnea

摘要

A system for revisably treating an airway disorder is provided with an implant body configured to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. In some embodiments, first and second openings extend through first and second implant ends, respectively, for permitting a tissue plug to grow through each opening. Methods of using and revising such systems are also provided.

主权项

1. A method for treating a disorder of an airway comprising:
implanting a resilient implant in a releasably tensioned configuration in an airway-interface tissue; permitting a first end portion and a second end portion of the resilient implant to surround a first tissue plug and a second tissue plug respectively in the airway-interface tissue to releasably anchor the first and second end portions of the resilient implant, wherein the first and second end portions each comprise a loop adapted to surround one of the respective tissue plugs; releasing the resilient implant from the tensioned configuration to move the resilient implant toward a non-tensioned configuration, thereby alleviating tissue obstruction of the airway; cutting the loop at either the first or second end portions to disengage the resilient implant from the airway-interface tissue; and extracting the resilient implant from the airway-interface tissue to revise a treatment.