| 摘要 |
<p>A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea includes a body implantable in a soft palate, and a fastening element at a proximal end of the body for connecting the body with a hard palate. In one embodiment, the body is curved and has a convex top surface and a concave bottom surface. The curved body is adapted to support and/or change the shape of the soft palate for minimizing the likelihood of airway obstructions during sleep. The fastening element, secureable to the hard palate, includes at least one barb adapted to engage the hard palate for anchoring the body to the hard palate. In one embodiment, the body has a surface adapted to promote tissue in-growth. The implant body may be made of materials including nitinol, stainless steel, biocompatible polymers, temperature-sensitive materials, and shape memory materials.</p> |
