Airway implant and methods of making and using

Abstract

An airway implant device for maintaining and/or creating an opening in air passageways is disclosed. Methods of using the device are also disclosed. The airway implant device comprises a deformable element to control the opening of an air passageway. Preferably the deformable element is an electroactive polymer element. Energizing of the electroactive polymer element provides support for the walls of an air passageway, when the walls collapse, and thus, completely or partially opens the air passageway. Methods of treating airway disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring with the airway implant device are disclosed herein.

1 . An airway implant device comprising an electroactive polymer element, wherein said electroactive polymer element is adapted and configured to modulate an opening of an air passageway.  
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an anode, a cathode, a first inductor, and a controller; said anode and cathode being connected to said electroactive polymer element.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said controller comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor being adapted and configured to sense said opening of said air passageway and controlling an energizing of said electroactive polymer element.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a non-implanted portion.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said non-implanted portion is a mouth guard, said mouth guard being adapted and configured to control said electroactive polymer element.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said mouth guard comprises a power supply and a second inductor.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said second inductor is adapted and configured to interact with said first inductor.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said electroactive polymer element is adapted and configured for implantation into a soft palate and/or a lateral pharyngeal wall.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said electroactive polymer element comprises an ion-exchange polymer metal composite.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the electroactive polymer element comprises a substantially flat surface.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a power supply in electrical communication with the electroactive polymer element.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein application of electrical current to said electroactive polymer element opens an air passageway.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a coating to prevent tissue growth.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a coating to promote tissue growth.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an inductive coupling mechanism adapted to connect the electroactive polymer element to a power source.  
   
   
       16 . A method of controlling an opening of an air passageway comprising: 
 implanting an airway implant device proximal to an air passageway and/or in a wall of an air passageway, said device comprising an electroactive polymer element and a power management device;    controlling an opening of said air passageway, said control being performed by energizing said electroactive polymer element to completely or partially open said air passageway.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said control of said opening of said air passageway is in response to feedback from said air passageway, said feedback being related to said opening of said air passageway.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said airway implant device is implanted in a soft palate and/or a lateral pharyngeal wall.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said airway implant device is coated with an agent to prevent tissue growth around said airway implant device.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said airway implant device is coated with an agent to promote tissue growth around said airway implant device.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said airway implant device is controlled by an inductive coupling mechanism.  
   
   
       22 . A method of treating a disease using an airway implant device comprising: 
 implanting an airway implant device proximal to an air passageway and/or in a wall of an air passageway, said airway implant device comprising an electroactive polymer element;    controlling an opening of said air passageway by energizing said electroactive polymer element, wherein said energizing of said electroactive polymer element completely or partially opens said air passageway.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said disease is obstructive sleep apnea or snoring.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said airway implant device is controlled by an inductive coupling mechanism.  
   
   
       25 . A method of treating a disease using an airway implant device comprising: 
 implanting an airway implant device in a soft palate, said airway implant device comprising an electroactive polymer element;    controlling an opening of an air passageway by energizing said electroactive polymer element, wherein said energizing of said electroactive polymer element moves said soft palate to support a collapsed tongue and completely or partially opens said air passageway.    
   
   
       26 . A method of treating a disease using an airway implant device comprising: 
 implanting an airway implant device in a lateral pharyngeal wall, said airway implant device comprising an electroactive polymer element;    controlling an opening of an air passageway by energizing said electroactive polymer element, wherein said energizing of said electroactive polymer supports said lateral pharyngeal wall and completely or partially opens said air passageway.    
   
   
       27 . A method of treating a disease using an airway implant device comprising: 
 implanting an airway implant device in a soft palate, wherein said airway implant device comprises a deformable element;    controlling an opening of an air passageway by energizing said deformable element, wherein said energizing of said deformable element moves said soft palate to support a collapsed tongue and completely or partially opens said air passageway.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein said deformable element comprises a non-magnetic material.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein said deformable element comprises an electroactive polymer element.  
   
   
       30 . A method of treating a disease using an airway implant device comprising: 
 implanting an airway implant device in a lateral pharyngeal wall, said airway implant device comprising a deformable element;    controlling an opening of an air passageway by energizing said a deformable element, wherein said energizing of said a deformable element supports said lateral pharyngeal wall and completely or partially opens up said air passageway.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 30  wherein said deformable element comprises a non-magnetic material.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30  wherein said deformable element comprises an electroactive polymer element.