Airway implant
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's airway. The condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of tissue from opposing surfaces in the airway. In various embodiments, the base of the tongue including geometry and position of the tongue is altered.
1. A method for treating a condition of a patient's airway wherein said condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of a base of a tongue from opposing surfaces of a pharyngeal wall of said airway; said method comprising:
selecting at least one implant of fibrosis-inducing material having a longitudinal dimension from a proximal and to a distal end and a transverse dimension narrower than said longitudinal dimension;
placing said implant within said tongue with said longitudinal dimension extend from the proximal end near a jaw bone of said patient to the distal end near the base of the tongue.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said selecting includes selecting a plurality of implants having structure similar to said at least one implant; said placing including placing each of said plurality in said tongue with proximal ends near a jaw bone of said patient and said longitudinal dimensions extending radially outwardly for said distal ends near the base of the tongue.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said longitudinal dimension is aligned with an axis of a genioglossus muscle of the tongue.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is adapted to contract over time.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said condition is snoring.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said condition is sleep apnea.
7. A method according to claim 2 wherein said implants are spaced apart for fibrosis to interconnect between said members.
8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is placed extending along an anterior-posterior axis of the tongue.