Partially erodable systems for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

The invention relates to devices and methods for reforming tissue surrounding the airway of a subject suffering from obstructive sleep apnea so as to open the airway and alleviate the occurrence of apneic events. Devices comprise a combination of resiliently deformable material and bioerodible material. The deformable portion of the device has a preferred shape that corresponds to the desired final shape of the device once placed in an airway. In making a transplant-ready device, however, the deformable portion is placed into a deformed shape and constrained in that shape by the bioerodible material. After implantation, the device gradually assumes the preferred shape as the constraining bioerodible material erodes. As the device gradually reforms toward the preferred shape, it reforms the tissue into the therapeutically desirable configuration. The gradual nature of the shape change generally stabilizes the device in the tissue, and supports tissue reforming into a stable configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for alleviating tissue obstruction of an airway in a human subject comprising:
 a first end;   a second end;   an elastomeric medial portion extending between the first and second ends, the medial portion having a linear configuration, a curvilinear configuration, and a site adapted to receive a plurality of bioerodible segments, wherein the device is configured to transition from the curvilinear configuration toward the linear configuration upon erosion of the bioerodible segments, the device being sized and shaped to be implanted in an airway-forming tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear configuration comprises varying degrees of curvature along the medial portion. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear configuration comprises an s-shaped curve. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear configuration comprises a concave portion and a convex portion. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bioerodible segments comprise a plurality of discrete bioerodible pieces adapted to engage the said site to maintain the device in the curvilinear configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the linear configuration comprises a substantially straight planar form. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear configuration comprises an expanded state for said site, wherein the bioerodible segments fill the site to maintain the curvilinear configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a tissue in-growth portion. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device has a diameter between about 1 mm to about 4 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear configuration has a first length between about 4 cm to about 8 cm and the linear configuration has second length between about 4 cm to about 7 cm. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device has a length between about 1 cm and 2 cm.