Glossopexy adjustment system and method
Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the tongue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the tongue and may be secured to other surrounding structures such as the mandible and/or hyoid bone. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace at least a portion of the posterior tongue in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the tongue. Methods and devices for adjusting a glossopexy system are also disclosed. Adjusting a distance between two body-engaging structures can be performed without disengaging a tether from either of the body-engaging structures in some embodiments.
1. A tongue remodeling system, comprising:
a first body-engaging structure;
a second body-engaging structure;
a tether connected and fastened to the first body-engaging structure and to the second body-engaging structure; and
means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure when the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure are engaged with a body without disconnecting and unfastening the tether from either of the body-engaging structures.
2. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a ratchet.
3. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a worm drive.
4. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a friction shaft operably engaged within a bone anchor.
5. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a set screw for locking the tether.
6. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the first body-engaging structure comprises a bone anchor and wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure is directly attached to the bone anchor.
7. The tongue remodeling system of claim 6 , wherein the first body-engaging structure comprises a bone anchor and wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure is directly attached to a proximal head portion of the bone anchor.
8. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a clamping element configured to clamp a tether.
9. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the first body-engaging structure comprises a bone anchor, the bone anchor comprising a bore within the bone anchor; and the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a rotatable member operably engaged within the bore.
10. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a lead screw.
11. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a cam lock.
12. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a drawstring lock.
13. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a turnbuckle.
14. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises one or more magnets.
15. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a screw and a bit-valve covering over a portion of the screw.
16. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a rotational assembly.
17. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises an adjustable knot.
18. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a gripping collar.
19. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a bead clamp.
20. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a plurality of eccentricity plates.
21. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a spool with an axial titration element.
22. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a zip tie.
23. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a plurality of finger elements.
24. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises an element with a channel therein configured to house the tether therethrough, the channel containing a friction surface configured to resist movement of the tether.