Method and Device For Treatment Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

This invention relates to devices and methods for maintaining upper airway patency during sleep for the treatment of sleeping disorders, upper airway resistance syndrome, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

1 . A method for maintaining a patient's tongue to prevent sleep related breathing disorders comprising the steps of:
 forming a lateral channel at the base of the patient's tongue;   positioning a restrainer, said restrainer being conformable into the tongue, and said restrainer being sized and dimensioned to fit into the lateral channel wherein the restrainer is capable of suspending the tongue away from the patient's throat during sleep; and   securing the restrainer to the interior surface of the patient's mandible to suspend the tongue away from the patient's throat during sleep such that the restrainer suspends the tongue from the patient's throat while the patient is in the supine position but the restrainer does not suspend the tongue while the patient is upright.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the securing step comprises securing the restrainer to the medial interior surface of the patient's mandible to suspend the tongue away from the patient's throat during sleep. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the securing step comprises securing the restrainer to the interior surface of the patient's mandible to suspend the tongue away from the patient's throat during sleep such that the entire width of the tongue is suspended away from the patient's throat during sleep. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the securing step further comprises securing the implant to the medial surface of the mandible around the chin so that both ends of the restrainer are attached at the same point. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of forming the lateral channel is performed through the patient's mouth. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of forming the lateral channel is performed from below the chin. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein only a portion of the restrainer comprises an elastic material. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the entire method is completed in a single procedure. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps of forming a lateral channel and positioning the restrainer are performed in a single procedure and the step of securing the restrainer is performed in a separate procedure. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the restrainer is secured with bone screws. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the restrainer is secured with surgical staples. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the restrainer is secured with sutures.