Devices, systems, and methods to fixate tissue within the regions of body, such as the pharyngeal conduit

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods develop pressure forces to fixate or brace tissue in targeted pharyngeal structures and individual anatomic components within the pharyngeal conduit.

1 . An Apparatus to brace or fixate tissue in targeted pharyngeal structures and/or individual anatomic components within the pharyngeal conduit comprising a chamber sized and configured to be located outside of the pharyngeal conduit and to hold a pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure. 
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a monitor or sensor to sense fluctuations of pharyngeal pressure during a respiration cycle. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is sized and configured to hold a pressure that is less than a minimum pressure condition experienced in the pharyngeal conduit during a respiration cycle. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is sized and configured to be worn about a neck. 
   
   
       5 . A method of brace or fixate tissue in targeted pharyngeal structures and/or individual anatomic components within the pharyngeal conduit comprising the steps of providing an apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , and locating the apparatus outside the pharyngeal conduit.