Methods and devices for the treatment of airway obstruction, sleep apnea and snoring

Abstract

Methods and devices for the treatment of airway obstruction, sleep apnea and snoring are disclosed. In some embodiments, a glossal suspension system includes a tissue tensioner that includes a suture loop made of one or more sutures configured to suspend the tongue with at least one portion configured to extend laterally through the tongue, and a securement mechanism configured to be attached to a patient's mandible that includes one more more adjustment assemblies for engaging the one or more sutures and adjusting tension on the suture loop. Various tethers and anchors that can he used with the glossal suspension system are also disclosed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a condition of an airway, comprising:
 providing a securement mechanism configured to be attached to a patient's mandible;   providing a plurality of elongate members, the elongate members each being connected to a tissue anchor;   attaching the plurality of tissue anchors to a tongue;   connecting the plurality of elongate to the securement mechanism; and   securing the securement mechanism to the mandible.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the securing of the securement mechanism to the mandible occurs before connecting the plurality of elongate members to the securement mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the securing of the securement mechanism to the mandible occurs after connecting the plurality of elongate members to the securement mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the securement mechanism is secured to an inferior portion of the mandible. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongate members are tethers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the tethers are elastic tethers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the tethers are beaded tethers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the tethers are active variable length tethers, 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate members have a biocompatible coating applied to at least some parts of the elongate members. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate members have a tissue ingrowth surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising a pair of elongate members having tissue anchors connected thereto, the tissue anchors attached to the tongue on both lateral sides of the tongue. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising securing the securement mechanism to the mandible at a midpoint thereof, 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the tension or length of the elongate member using an adjustment assembly operably attached to the elongate member. 
     
     
         14 . A tissue tensioner for suspending the tongue comprising:
 a securement mechanism configured to be attached to a patient's mandible; and   a plurality of elongate members, the elongate members each being connected to a tissue anchor;   wherein the tissue anchors are configured to be connected to lateral portions of the tongue and the elongate members are configured to be connected to the securement mechanism.   
     
     
         15 . The tensioner of  claim 14 , wherein the securement mechanism comprises a clamping interface. 
     
     
         16 . The tensioner of  claim 14 , wherein the elongate member is a tether. 
     
     
         17 . The tensioner of  claim 14 , wherein the tether is an elastic tether. 
     
     
         18 . The tension of  claim 14 , wherein the tether has a biocompatible coating applied to at least sonic parts of the tether. 
     
     
         19 . The tensioner of  claim 14 , wherein the tether has a tissue engaging surface, 
     
     
         20 . The tensioner of  claim 14 , wherein the tether is a beaded tether. 
     
     
         21 . The tensioner of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one adjustment mechanism operably attached to the securement mechanism and engaged with the elongate members for adjusting tension in the elongate members.