Devices, systems and methods using magnetic force systems in the upper airway
View Patent ↗Devices, systems, and methods resist posterior movement of the tongue during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. An implant device has a ferromagnetic structure that, when implanted, occupies only one lateral side of the tongue when implanted. The ferromagnetic structure magnetically interacts with a magnetized material placed in a desired relationship with the tongue to stabilize a preferred tongue orientation.
1. A method comprising
providing an implant device comprising a carrier sized and configured for implantation in a tongue, the carrier including a ferromagnetic structure sized and configured to occupy only one lateral side of the tongue when implanted, the ferromagnetic structure adapted to magnetically interact with a magnetized material placed in a desired relationship with the tongue to stabilize a preferred tongue orientation,
providing a magnetized material sized and configured for placement in or on a tissue region,
placing the implant device such that the ferromagnetic structure occupies only one lateral side of the tongue,
placing the magnetized material in or on a tissue region in a desired relationship with the tongue, and
stabilizing a desired tongue orientation by magnetic interaction between the ferromagnetic structure of the implant device and the magnetized material.