Apparatus and method for securing uvula

1. A method of securing a uvula, the method comprising:

providing a securement device;

folding the uvula over towards a nasopharyngeal or oral side of a soft palate so that the uvula is positioned proximal to the side of a soft palate; and

securing the uvula to the nasopharyngeal or oral side of the soft palate with the securement device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the uvula is folded towards the nasopharyngeal side of the soft palate.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the uvula is folded towards the oral side of the soft palate.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the securement device comprises a barb.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the securement device comprises a suture and a suture anchor member.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the securement device is selected from the group consisting of a staple, tack, rivet and suture comprising a bio-absorbable material.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the securement device is selected from the group consisting of a staple, tack, rivet and suture comprising a material that is not bio-absorbable.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein: securing the uvula to the soft palate with the securement device comprises:

providing an attachment tool comprising:

a first shaft with a first end having a first slot;

a second shaft with a second end; and an actuator configured to move the second end closer to the first end;

placing the securement device in the first slot;

positioning the attachment tool so that the uvula is positioned between the first end and the second end;

actuating the actuator so that the second end engages the uvula and the uvula engages the first end;

actuating the actuator to move the second end away from the first end; and

moving the attachment tool so that the securement device slides out of the first slot.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein: securing the uvula to the soft palate with the securement device comprises:

providing a securement tool comprising a handle, a shaft, and a curved portion distal to the handle;

utilizing the securement tool to position the uvula so that the securement device is proximal to the nasopharyngeal side of the soft palate; and

engaging the curved portion with the uvula and exerting a compressive force on the uvula to secure the securement device to the nasopharyngeal side of the soft palate.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein securing the uvula to the soft palate with the securement device comprises extending an actuation member from the securement device.

11. A method of securing a uvula, the method comprising:

providing a securement device;

engaging the securement device with the uvula;

folding the uvula over towards a nasopharyngeal or oral side of a soft palate so that the uvula is positioned proximal to the soft palate; and

engaging the securement device with soft palate to secure the uvula to the soft palate.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein:

the securement device comprises a central portion having a first side with a first barb; and

securing the securement device to the uvula comprises penetrating the uvula with the first barb.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein securing the securement device to the soft palate comprises penetrating the soft palate with the first barb.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein: the central portion of the securement device comprises a second side with a second barb; and securing the securement device to the soft palate comprises penetrating the soft palate with the second barb.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the uvula is folded towards the nasopharyngeal side of the soft palate.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the uvula is folded towards the oral side of the soft palate.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the securement device engages a posterior portion of the uvula.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the securement device engages the nasopharyngeal side of the soft palate.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the securement device initially engages the uvula and subsequently engages the soft palate.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the securement device initially engages the soft palate and subsequently engages the uvula.