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 treating an airway disorder comprising:
 a resiliently expandable implant body having an axially expanded configuration in which the implant body is stretched into axial tension and an axially unexpanded configuration in which the implant body is not stretched in axial tension, the implant body having a plurality of resiliently expandable slots; and   a bioerodible material configured to fit within the resiliently expandable slots to maintain the implant body in the axially expanded configuration,   the expandable slots being configured to shorten upon erosion of the bioerodible material, thereby allowing the implant body to move towards the axially unexpanded configuration,   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.