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:
Dec. 20, 2011
Filed:
Jun. 15, 2005
Chad C. Roue, San Jose, CA (US);
Adam Kessler, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Mark Hirotsuka, San Jose, CA (US);
Jasper Jackson, Newark, CA (US);
Erik J. Van Der Burg, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Michael T. Dineen, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Andrew Frazier, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Chad C. Roue, San Jose, CA (US);
Adam Kessler, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Mark Hirotsuka, San Jose, CA (US);
Jasper Jackson, Newark, CA (US);
Erik J. van der Burg, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Michael T. Dineen, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Andrew Frazier, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Eindhoven, NL;
Abstract
Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the hyoid bone, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A conformable implant is positioned adjacent a hyoid bone. The spatial orientation of the hyoid bone is manipulated, to affect the configuration of the airway. The implant restrains the hyoid bone in the manipulated configuration. The implant is positioned adjacent to pharyngeal structures to dilate the pharyngeal airway and/or to support the pharyngeal wall against collapse. The implant may be attached to the hyoid bone using a clamp delivery tool that is adapted to releasably engage the implant.