Apparatus and methods for the treatment of sleep apnea
A medical apparatus for the treatment of one or more sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea in a patient is provided. The apparatus has an elongate member with a middle portion, a first fixation element and a second fixation element. The middle portion applies a force to a segment of a patient's airway.
1. A method of scaffolding an airway of a patient, the method comprising:
inserting an elongate member of an airway scaffolding apparatus into the patient airway, the airway scaffolding apparatus comprising:
the elongate member comprising,
a proximal portion with a proximal end;
a distal portion with a distal end; and
a middle portion positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion;
a first fixation element constructed and arranged to maintain the elongate member proximal portion in a relatively fixed position; and
a second fixation element constructed and arranged to maintain the elongate member distal portion in a relatively fixed position;
wherein the elongate member middle portion is constructed and arranged to apply a force to a portion of an airway.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first fixation element comprises a nosepiece and the method further comprises inserting the nosepiece into a nostril of the patient.
3. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising attaching the elongate member proximal portion to the nosepiece.
4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the nosepiece comprises a tensioner constructed and arranged to allow an operator to tension the elongate member.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second fixation element comprises a mouthpiece and the method further comprises attaching the mouthpiece to at least one of an upper jaw or a lower jaw of the patient.
6. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising attaching the elongate member distal portion to the mouthpiece.
7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the mouthpiece comprises a tensioner constructed and arranged to allow an operator to tension the elongate member.
8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising capturing the elongate member distal portion.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the elongate member distal portion is captured by a probe device inserted into a mouth of the patient.
10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the elongate member distal portion is captured with magnetic forces.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the portion of the patient's airway comprises a portion of a soft palate of the patient.
12. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising applying an analgesic agent to at least a portion of the patient's airway.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises at least one of a coated or a treated portion.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate member middle portion is constructed and arranged to be radially expandable.
15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate member middle portion is constructed and arranged to contact a soft palate of a patient.