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:
Aug. 19, 2014
Filed:
Dec. 27, 2006
Edward M. Gillis, San Jose, CA (US);
Craig Arthur Purdy, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Joe Paraschac, San Jose, CA (US);
Scott Anthony Mcgill, San Ramon, CA (US);
Ryan P. Boucher, San Francisco, CA (US);
Lionel M. Nelson, Los Altos, CA (US);
Edward M. Gillis, San Jose, CA (US);
Craig Arthur Purdy, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Joe Paraschac, San Jose, CA (US);
Scott Anthony McGill, San Ramon, CA (US);
Ryan P. Boucher, San Francisco, CA (US);
Lionel M. Nelson, Los Altos, CA (US);
Koninklijke Philips N.V., Eindhoven, NL;
Abstract
A magnetic force system uses a magnetic implant sized and configured to be inserted in the pharynx and another magnetic implant sized and configured to be inserted in the tongue, palate, or pharynx. The system establishes different regions of magnetic interaction between the two implants across the airway, attracting and repelling, such that attractive interaction in one region of the implants combines with repelling interaction in another region of the implants, to provide a 'hinge' structure. Alternatively, a magnetic force system that uses three magnetic implants sized and configured to be inserted in the tongue, pharynx, and palate, respectively. The tongue implant is attracted to the palatal implant, and repels the pharyngeal implant, forming a modified 'hinge' structure. Forces of magnetic attracting bring tissue together to form a magnetic hinge joint, providing an anchor to stabilize the regions where repelling forces work to separate tissue to keep the airway open.