Devices, systems and methods using magnetic force systems affecting the toungue or hyoid musccles in the upper airwya

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for resisting posterior movement of the tongue during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. The systems and methods employ a first structure that can be placed either in or on a tongue within an oral cavity and/or in a region of hyoid muscle. The first structure includes a ferromagnetic material. The systems and methods employ a second structure that can be placed either in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity and/or in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity in a desired relationship with the first structure. The second structure includes a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with the ferromagnetic material by attracting the ferromagnetic material, thereby resisting posterior movement of the tongue.

1 . A system comprising
 a first structure sized and configured for placement in or on a tongue within an oral cavity, the first structure including a ferromagnetic material, and   a second structure sized and configured for placement in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity in a desired relationship with the first structure, the second structure including a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with the ferromagnetic material by attracting the ferromagnetic material.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the ferromagnetic material includes a un-magnetized material.   
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the ferromagnetic material includes an array comprising a plurality of un-magnetized materials.   
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the ferromagnetic material includes a magnetized material.   
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4   further including an additional structure sized and configured for placement in or on a posterior pharyngeal wall across from the first structure, the additional structure including a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with the magnetized material of the first structure by repelling the magnetized material of the first structure.   
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the ferromagnetic material includes an array comprising a plurality of magnetized materials.   
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the first structure includes a flexible carrier allowing flexure of the first structure.   
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the first structure and the second structure are sized, configured, and arranged to maintain a substantially mutually attracting orientation between the ferromagnetic material and the magnetic material during a native range of movement of the tongue during swallowing and/or drinking and/or speech.   
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the ferromagnetic material of the first structure includes a center of mass, wherein the magnetic material of the second structure includes a center of mass, and wherein the first and second structures are separated during use by a distance, the distance being defined as a separation between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic materials, the distance varying within a working range as a result of native movement of the tongue during swallowing and/or drinking and/or speech, the size and orientation of the first and second structures being selected so that variations in magnetic force due to variations in the distance within the working range maintain the relationship that: (F NEAR /F FAR )≦(δ FAR   2 /δ NEAR   2 )   where δ FAR  is the distance (expressed in units of centimeters) between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic materials when the first and second magnetic structures are separated farthest apart within the working range,   δ NEAR  is the distance (expressed in units of centimeters) between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic material when the first and second magnetic structures are separated closest together within the working range,   F NEAR  is the magnetic force (expressed in units of grams) of a magnetic force system where the distance is δ NEAR , and   F FAR  is the magnetic force (expressed in units of grams) of a magnetic force system where the distance is δ FAR .   
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the magnetic material of the first structure moves within the first structure in response to magnetic interaction with a magnetic material.   
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the magnetic material of the second structure moves within the second structure in response to magnetic interaction with another magnetic material.   
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the first structure and the second structure interact by developing attracting magnetic force between the magnetic material and the ferromagnetic material, the magnetic force having a magnitude F-mag, and where   F-mag=f(F-sep, F-nat),   F-sep comprises a force required to separate the tongue from tissue in an airway during sleep, and   F-nat comprises a force exerted by native muscles upon the tongue during swallowing and/or drinking and/or speech.   
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 12   wherein the magnitude of F-sep≦the magnitude of F-nat.   
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 12   wherein the magnitude of F-mag≧the magnitude of F-sep.   
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 12   wherein the magnitude of F-sep≦the magnitude of F-mag≦the magnitude of F-nat.   
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the first structure includes a tether assembly to stabilize the ferromagnetic material in tongue tissue.   
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the first structure includes a tether assembly to couple the ferromagnetic material to tongue tissue.   
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the first structure is sized and configured to place the ferromagnetic material only on one lateral side of the tongue.   
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 18   wherein the first structure includes a rudder assembly sized and configured to occupy the other lateral side of the tongue.   
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 19   wherein the rudder assembly is essential free of ferromagnetic material.   
     
     
         21 - 52 . (canceled)