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. 26, 2014
Filed:
Jan. 07, 2013
Robert A. Rousseau, Ottsville, PA (US);
Kevin S. Weadock, Hillsborough, NJ (US);
An-min Jason Sung, Warren, NJ (US);
Robert A. Rousseau, Ottsville, PA (US);
Kevin S. Weadock, Hillsborough, NJ (US);
An-Min Jason Sung, Warren, NJ (US);
Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ (US);
Abstract
Magnetic devices and implantation methods are provided for use in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The devices include a sheet-like element having ferromagnetic qualities. The device may also include a permanent magnet attached to the sheet-like element by magnetic forces. The devices are implanted in soft tissue surrounding the airway and in tissue space beneath the pharyngeal wall to exert forces on and/or change the shape of the soft tissue. The magnetic devices may also include a bladder containing a magnetorheological fluid that stiffens soft tissue when exposed to a magnetic field.