IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,077,144
Granted Patent B2
US 7,077,144 · App. 10/825,249 · Granted Jul 18, 2006

Method and apparatus to treat conditions of the naso-pharyngeal area

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,077,144
App. No.
10/825,249
Granted
Jul 18, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

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.

Claims (13)

1. A method for treating an upper airway condition of a patient, said method comprising:

selecting a solid implant of pre-formed dimensions and formed of biocompatible fibers formed of a material selected to induce a fibrotic response of material amount, said implant being sized for implantation into a soft tissue area of said patient, said biocompatible fibers being selected to stiffen said soft tissue area passively, and without application of external energy, alter a dynamic response of said tissue to airflow; and

implanting said implant into said soft tissue area to stiffen said soft tissue area for treatment of said upper airway condition.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is a braid of biocompatible fibers.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is a twisted construction of biocompatible fibers.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is a bolus of a particulate material selected for limited migration within said soft tissue area.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said biocompatible fibers are selected to induce a fibrotic response from said soft tissue area.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said upper airway condition is sleep apnea.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said upper airway condition is snoring.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is an elongated construction of biocompatible fibers.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said soft tissue area includes tissue located in a pharyngeal wall of said patient.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said soft tissue area includes tissue located in a nasal area of said patient.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is a permanent implant.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE TO THE IAMS COMPANY PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 014531 FRAME 0937. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY. Recorded Nov 18, 2013
From: NORTON, SHARON ANN; GOLDY, GARY GREGORY
To: THE IAMS COMPANY
Reel/Frame 031665/0138 →
MERGER Recorded Oct 28, 2009
From: MEDTRONIC RESTORE MEDICAL, INC.
To: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
Reel/Frame 023427/0840 →
MERGER Recorded Oct 27, 2009
From: RESTORE MEDICAL, INC.
To: MEDTRONIC RESTORE MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 023427/0092 →