OT Improbable Research Patent

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate repelling magnetic implants to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using a canine model.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:

Magnetic forces equivalent to effective CPAP were estimated with benchtop studies. An acute canine model was used to simulate pharyngeal collapse. Tolerance, safety, and stability of the implants were evaluated in a chronic series of 10 dogs observed over 6 months.
RESULTS:

Equivalence to CPAP (10-12 cm H(2)O) was achieved with low-force (<10 g/cm length), light (approximately 2 gram) implants. Magnetic implants prevented airway collapse in the acute canine. Normal behavior, swallowing, and oral intake were noted in the chronic canine over 6 months. Implant extrusion was 10%. Histology showed fibrous encapsulation without chronic inflammation.
CONCLUSIONS:

Repelling magnets successfully maintained a patent airway and were well tolerated in the canine.
SIGNIFICANCE:

Repelling magnets could represent an implantable alternative to CPAP if human studies reveal similar findings.

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chunkyfrog wrote:Remember, The Mustang and the Pinto : both FORDs.
Management changes, even when the people are the same.
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chunkyfrog wrote:Is this a real thing? Really?
I laughed so hard I hurt my funny bone.

We claim:

1. A method comprising providing an implant device comprising a carrier sized and configured for implantation in a tongue, the carrier including a ferromagnetic structure sized and configured to occupy only one lateral side of the tongue when implanted, the ferromagnetic structure adapted to magnetically interact with a magnetized material placed in a desired relationship with the tongue to stabilize a preferred tongue orientation, providing a magnetized material sized and configured for placement in or on a tissue region, placing the implant device such that the ferromagnetic structure occupies only one lateral side of the tongue, placing the magnetized material in or on a tissue region in a desired relationship with the tongue, and stabilizing a desired tongue orientation by magnetic interaction between the ferromagnetic structure of the implant device and the magnetized material.
Description


FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to devices, systems, and methods for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing including obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for resisting posterior movement of the tongue during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open.

One aspect of the invention provides an implant device comprising a carrier sized and configured for implantation in a tongue. The carrier includes a ferromagnetic structure sized and configured to occupy only one lateral side of the tongue when implanted. The ferromagnetic structure is adapted to magnetically interact with a magnetized material placed in a desired relationship with the tongue to stabilize a preferred tongue orientation.

In one embodiment, the carrier includes a first region sized and configured to occupy one lateral side of the tongue when implanted and a second region sized and configured to occupy an opposite lateral side of the tongue when implanted. In this arrangement, the ferromagnetic structure is carried only on the first region, and the second region is free of a ferromagnetic structure.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system that includes an implant device as described above. The system also includes a magnetic structure sized and configured for placement in or on a tissue region in a desired relationship with the tongue to magnetically interact with the ferromagnetic structure to stabilize a preferred tongue orientation. The magnetic structure can be sized and configured for placement, within an oral cavity, e.g., to be fitted on one or more teeth. The magnetic structure can also be sized and configured for placement in or on tissue outside an oral cavity, e.g., to be worn on a neck and/or a jaw and/or a chin.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method that provides an implant device as described above. The method also provides a magnetized material sized and configured for placement in or on a tissue region. The method places the implant device such that the ferromagnetic structure occupies only one lateral side of the tongue. The method places the magnetized material in or on a tissue region in a desired relationship with the tongue. The method stabilizes a desired tongue orientation by magnetic interaction between the ferromagnetic structure of the implant device and the magnetized material.

Inventors: Gillis; Edward M. (San Jose, CA), Boucher; Ryan P. (San Francisco, CA), McGill; Scott A. (San Ramon, CA), Paraschac; Joe (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Eindhoven, NL)
Appl. No.: 11/592,452
Filed: November 3, 2006

JDS74 wrote:Perhaps a cure for snoring

http://www.improbable.com/2013/10/09/ma ... nt-patent/