Method and device for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring

1. A tissue retractor for treatment of a breathing disorder and providing an electrical stimulus comprising:

a shaft configured for transmucosal insertion into a soft tissue located in a patient's oral cavity or pharynx;

a retractor member connected at or near a first end of the shaft;

an anchor member connected at or near a second end of the shaft; and

at least one electrode configured to provide an electrical stimulus to cause contraction of the soft tissue,

wherein at least one of the retractor member or anchor member is configured to be positioned on an external surface of the soft tissue, neither the retractor member nor the anchor member configured to be tethered to bone.

2. The tissue retractor of claim 1 wherein at least one of the shaft, the retractor member and the anchor member is adapted to exert a force toward a center of the shaft between the first end and the second end of the shaft.

3. The tissue retractor of claim 1 further comprising a battery in communication with the at least one electrode.

4. The tissue retractor of claim 1 further comprising stimulation electronics in communication with the at least one electrode.

5. The tissue retractor of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode is disposed on the tissue retractor.

6. The tissue retractor of claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor in communication with the at least one electrode.

7. The tissue retractor of claim 6 wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect at least one of a pressure or an airway obstruction.

8. The tissue retractor of claim 6 wherein the at least one sensor is disposed at or near the retractor member.

9. The tissue retractor of claim 6 wherein the at least one sensor is configured to trigger the at least one electrode to provide the electrical stimulus to cause contraction of the soft tissue.

10. The tissue retractor of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode is positionable on an external surface of the soft tissue.

11. The tissue retractor of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode is configured for direct contact with at least a portion of the soft tissue.

12. The tissue retractor of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode is disposed on an exterior surface of the retractor member.

13. The tissue retractor of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode is disposed on an exterior surface of the shaft.

14. The tissue retractor of claim 4 further comprising an energy supply receiver in communication with the stimulation electronics.

15. The tissue retractor of claim 14 further comprising a flange relative to the retractor member wherein the at least one electrode is disposed on at least one side of flange.

16. The tissue retractor of claim 15 wherein a first electrode is disposed on a first side of the flange and a second electrode is disposed on a second side of the flange.

17. The tissue retractor of claim 14 further comprising a control unit in communication with the energy supply receiver, the control unit configured to send a signal to the energy supply receiver to cause the at least one electrode to provide the electrical stimulus.

18. The tissue retractor of claim 17 wherein the tissue retractor is configured such that a patient can direct directing the control unit to send the signal to the energy supply receiver to cause an electrical stimulation.

19. The tissue retractor of claim 18 wherein the electrical stimulation is capable of causing the patient to swallow.

20. The tissue retractor of claim 1 wherein the electrical stimulus is capable of stimulating the genioglossus muscle.

21. The tissue retractor of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode is disposed at or near the retractor member.

22. A method for treating a breathing disorder comprising:

providing a tissue retractor comprising

a shaft configured for transmucosal insertion into a soft tissue located in a patient's oral cavity or pharynx;

a retractor member connected at or near a first end of the shaft;

an anchor member connected at or near a second end of the shaft; and

at least one electrode configured to provide an electrical stimulus to cause contraction of the soft tissue; and

electrically stimulating the soft tissue to cause contraction of the soft tissue to prevent airway obstruction,

wherein at least one of the retractor member or anchor member is configured to be positioned on an external surface of the soft tissue, neither the retractor member nor anchor member configured to be tethered to bone.