Sling-based treatment of obstructive sleep apnea
View Patent ↗Slings, kits, and methods useful in the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) are described. An exemplary sling comprises a main body extending along a lengthwise axis and having first and second opposing ends, first and second opposing sides, and first and second opposing surfaces. Each end defines an end loop that defines a passageway extending through the main body. An exemplary method of treatment comprises creating two openings in the mandible of a patient; creating two longitudinal tunnels in the tongue of the patient; creating a transverse tunnel in the tongue of the patient; advancing a sling through the transverse tunnel; pulling each end of the sling through one of the longitudinal tunnels and through one of the openings in the mandible; pulling the tongue toward the front of the mouth or mandible; and securing the sling to a tissue to support the tongue in a new position.
1. A sling, comprising:
a main body extending along a lengthwise axis and having first and second opposing ends, a longitudinal midpoint, first and second opposing sides, first and second opposing surfaces, and a first portion extending along the lengthwise axis, the first portion having a first portion first end, a first portion second end, and a first width extending from the first side to the second side orthogonally to the lengthwise axis and through the longitudinal midpoint, the first width extending from the first portion first end to the first portion second end and along the lengthwise axis a first length;
the first end defining a first end loop defining a first passageway extending through the main body from the first surface to the second surface, the first end having a second width extending orthogonally to the lengthwise axis, the second width disposed on a second portion extending from the first portion first end to the first end, the second portion having a second length along the lengthwise axis that is less than the first length; and
the second end defining a second end loop defining a second passageway extending through the main body from the first surface to the second surface, the second end having a third width extending orthogonally to the lengthwise axis, the third width disposed on a third portion extending from the first portion second end to the second end, the third portion having a third length along the lengthwise axis that is less than the first length;
wherein one of the second and third widths is greater than the first width; and
wherein the main body defines an opening extending through the first portion of the main body that has the first width and from the first surface to the second surface;
further comprising a radiopaque marker disposed on the lengthwise axis at the longitudinal midpoint.
2. The sling of claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a polymeric material.
3. The sling of claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a remodelable material.
4. The sling of claim 3 , wherein the remodelable material comprises an extracellular matrix material.
5. The sling of claim 4 , wherein the extracellular matrix material comprises small intestine submucosa (SIS).
6. The sling of claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a multilaminate construct.
7. The sling of claim 6 , wherein the main body is formed of multiple layers of remodelable material.
8. The sling of claim 7 , wherein the remodelable material comprises an extracellular matrix material.
9. The sling of claim 8 , wherein the extracellular matrix material comprises small intestine submucosa.
10. The sling of claim 1 , wherein the first passageway has a fourth width extending orthogonally to the lengthwise axis; and
wherein the opening has a fifth width extending orthogonally to the lengthwise axis; and
wherein the fourth width is greater than the fifth width.
11. The sling of claim 10 , wherein the second passageway has a sixth width extending orthogonally to the lengthwise axis; and
wherein the sixth width is greater than the fifth width.
12. The sling of claim 1 , wherein each of the second and third widths is greater than the first width.