Method and apparatus to treat conditions of the naso-pharyngeal area
View Patent ↗A patient's upper airway condition such as snoring and sleep apnea is treated by selecting a particulate material selected for limited migration within tissue and for encouraging a fibrotic response of tissue to the material. A bolus of the particulate material is injected into the tissue area to structurally stiffen the tissue.
1. A method for treating an upper airway condition of a patient, said method comprising:
selecting an implant sized to be implanted into a tissue of a pharyngeal wall of said patient, said implant being formed of a material selected to induce a fibrotic response of material amount and having mechanical characteristics for said implant to passively, and without application of external energy, resist deflection of said wall and urge a deflected tissue to return to a rest state; and
implanting said implant into said tissue of said pharyngeal wall.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is metal.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said metal is nitinol.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant has tissue in-growth areas.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said condition is obstructive sleep apnea.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is not connected to a bony structure.