Cook Medical Technologies LLC

Peter J Catalano

John Shanahan

Keith A Roberts

John H Burban

Michael J Spearman

Brian M Spearman

A hand-held device is used to deliver and hydrate a temporary polymeric implant having a length, an outer surface and a cross-section, with a disruptable cover over the implant. A lumen may pass through the entire length, the lumen having a surface forming an equivalent diameter in the polymeric stent. The temporary polymeric implant includes a first aqueous-swellable, biocompatible and biodegradable composition (e.g., polymer) having a thickness. The aqueous-swellable and biodegradable polymer retaining structural integrity for at least 1 hours up to thirty days when swollen and kept moist by a moist aqueous environment. Barrier layers of biodegradable polymer(s) may be used to prevent migration of liquids into the lumen.

Tool for placement of degradeable ostial stent

A bi-flow nasal stent comprising: first and second tube-like elements; and a bridge connecting the first and second tube-like elements; wherein each of the first and second tube-like elements comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, and further wherein each of the first and second tube-like elements comprises top side, a medial side, a bottom side, and a lateral side collectively forming the tube-like element; wherein the bridge connects the proximal end of the medial side of the first tube-like element to the proximal end of the medial side of the second tube-like element; and wherein each of the first and second tube-like elements comprises first and second V-shaped cutouts at the distal end of the tube-like element, with the first V-shaped cutout extending proximally in the top side of the tube-like element and the second V-shaped cutout extending proximally in the bottom side of the tube-like element, with the first and second V-shaped cutouts being diametrically opposed to one another so as to divide each of the tube-like elements into a medial side portion and a lateral side portion, with the medial side portion and the lateral side portion being connected together by a pair of diametrically-opposed connecting elements.

Bi-flow nasal stent

A method for treating obstructive sleep apnea is described herein. The method includes the step of providing a tethering device having an elastic filament having a distal end and a proximal end and a flexible memory head mounted to the distal end of the elastic filament. The method further includes the steps of advancing the tethering device through the tongue of a patient so that the flexible memory head of the tethering device is disposed against the back of the tongue and the elastic filament of the tethering device extends through the tongue and securing the proximal end of the elastic filament to the mandible of the patient under tension, whereby to restrain rearward movement of the tongue while the patient is sleeping.

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Watertown, MA, United States of America

Peter J Catalano