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:
Feb. 23, 2016
Filed:
Dec. 13, 2011
D. Russell Pflueger, San Juan Capistrano, CA (US);
Christopher Paul Thompson, Austin, TX (US);
Steven R. Bacich, Half Moon Bay, CA (US);
Richard L. Quick, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Matthew Yurek, San Diego, CA (US);
D. Russell Pflueger, San Juan Capistrano, CA (US);
Christopher Paul Thompson, Austin, TX (US);
Steven R. Bacich, Half Moon Bay, CA (US);
Richard L. Quick, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Matthew Yurek, San Diego, CA (US);
QUIESCENCE MEDICAL, INC., San Juan Capistrano, unknown;
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for treating sleep apnea, snoring, and the like using an implant within an oropharyngeal region adjacent an anterior longitudinal ligament. The implant may include a relatively narrow central region between first and second relatively wide outer regions. In one embodiment, one of the outer regions is compressible to allow the outer region to be directed through or behind the ligament such that the central region is disposed within or behind the ligament, the outer region being resiliently expandable after passing through or behind the ligament. In another embodiment, the implant may include one or more tines or other features that may be directed into adjacent tissue to secure the implant within the oropharyngeal region.