Palate retainer with attached nasopharyngeal airway extender for use in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

A medical appliance for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in a patient, the appliance comprising: a securing device configured to be removably affixed to the patient's jaw; and a biasing member which is insertable behind the soft palate and/or the base of the patient's tongue, thereby providing for the flow of air in the nasopharyngeal airway; wherein the securing device is connected to the biasing member to allow insertion and/or removal of the biasing member from the nasopharyngeal airway.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A kit for selecting a medical appliance for a patient comprising:
 (a) two or more medical appliances, wherein each appliance comprises one or more unique parameters selected from the group consisting of: size;   geometry; exerted force; and range of adjustability; and   (b) a visualization apparatus comprising at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a camera; a camera lens; and a CCD assembly;   wherein the visualization apparatus is used to select one of the two or more medical appliances for insertion into the patient, and   wherein each of the medical appliances is constructed and arranged to apply a force to the soft palate and/or base of the tongue of the patient.   
     
     
         3 . The kit according to  claim 2 , wherein a first of the two or more medical appliances comprises a first range of adjustability and a second of the two or more medical appliances comprises a second range of adjustability that is different from the first range. 
     
     
         4 . The kit according to  claim 2 , wherein the visualization apparatus is configured to provide an image of an area behind the soft palate of the patient and/or an area behind the base of the tongue of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The kit according to  claim 2 , wherein the visualization apparatus is configured to visualize an amount of contact between each medical appliance and the soft palate and/or base of the tongue of the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The kit according to  claim 2 , wherein the visualization apparatus is configured to quantify the size of an opening between each medical appliance and the soft palate and/or base of the tongue of the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The kit according to  claim 2 , wherein the visualization apparatus further comprises a fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         8 . The kit according to  claim 2 , wherein the visualization apparatus is electronically attached to a monitor. 
     
     
         9 . The kit according to  claim 2 , wherein the visualization apparatus is inserted into the mouth or nose of the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The kit according to  claim 2 , wherein the medical appliances are attachable to either the upper or lower jaw of the patient. 
     
     
         11 . The kit according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the medical appliances treats obstructive sleep apnea in the patient. 
     
     
         12 . The kit according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the medical appliances is inserted into the mouth of the patient. 
     
     
         13 . The kit according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the medical appliances further comprises:
 a securing device configured to be removably affixed to the jaw of the patient; and   a biasing member which is insertable behind the soft palate and/or the base of the tongue of the patient, thereby providing for the flow of air in the nasopharyngeal airway;   wherein said securing device is connected to said biasing member to allow for the insertion and/or removal of said biasing member from the nasopharyngeal airway.   
     
     
         14 . The kit according to  claim 13 , wherein the securing device comprises a palate retainer. 
     
     
         15 . The kit according to  claim 13 , wherein the securing device is attachable to either the upper or lower jaw of the patient. 
     
     
         16 . The kit according to  claim 13 , wherein the biasing member comprises at least one tube. 
     
     
         17 . The kit according to  claim 13 , wherein the biasing member comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a flexible or rigid stent; balloon; memory wire; and combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The kit according to  claim 13 , wherein the nasopharyngeal airway comprises a nasopharynx region and/or an oropharynx region.