Apparatus for treating sleep apnea

摘要

An apparatus is provided for treating sleep apnea, snoring, and the like using an implant within an oropharyngeal region adjacent an anterior longitudinal ligament. The implant (2012) includes an endless loop (2014)defining a curved central region (2018) between first and second regions (2020) in a horizontal plane. The central region is vertically narrow relative to the first and second regions, and the first and second regions are compressible vertically to allow the first region to be directed through or behind the ligament adjacent the oropharyngeal region such that the central region is disposed within or behind the ligament. The first region is resiliently expandable after passing through or behind the ligament to contact tissue adjacent the oropharyngeal region. The first and second regions are compressible into a "C" shape within the horizontal plane, yet biased to expand and apply a force to dilate the tissue adjacent the oropharyngeal region.