The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 03, 2011
Filed:
Jun. 19, 2007
Beverly Tucker Woodson, Menominee Falls, MN (US);
Chad Roue, San Jose, CA (US);
Erik Van Der Burg, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Michael Dineen, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Mark Hirotsuka, San Jose, CA (US);
Jasper Jackson, Newark, CA (US);
Andrew Frazier, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Beverly Tucker Woodson, Menominee Falls, MN (US);
Chad Roue, San Jose, CA (US);
Erik van der Burg, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Michael Dineen, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Mark Hirotsuka, San Jose, CA (US);
Jasper Jackson, Newark, CA (US);
Andrew Frazier, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Eindhoven, NL;
Abstract
Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the tongue, and more particularly for temporarily suspending the tongue. One embodiment of the device comprises an elongate member with a retractable distal tissue-engaging tip that is movable within the lumen of tubular member configured for insertion into the tongue, preferably from an inferior surface of the jaw. The device may be used diagnostically assess the effect of performing tongue suspension in a patient prior to permanent implantation of a glossopexy device. The retractable distal tissue-engaging tip may be removed after diagnostic assessment, or left in place and attached to a temporary external securing device.