Airway implants and methods and devices for insertion and retrieval

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for the treatment of airway obstruction, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and devices and methods that facilitate insertion and retrieval of the same. In one embodiment, disclosed is a tissue tensioner that includes an elongate flexible tether having a first end and a second end, a bone anchor configured to be connected to a patient's mandible, a tissue ingrowth implant configured to be implanted in a patient's tongue and connected to the second end of the tether, and an adjustment mechanism configured to be held by the bone anchor adjacent the patient's mandible and configured to receive the first end of the tether and configured to adjust tension in the flexible tether between the patient's mandible and tongue. Various anchors, tethers, securement mechanisms, and adjustment mechanisms that can be used with glossal and palatal remodeling systems are also disclosed.

1 . A tissue tensioner for treating a condition of a patient's airway comprising:
 a flexible, elongate elastic member having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to be secured relative to a body tissue and the second portion is connected to a tissue ingrowth material; and   a locking bar releasably attached to the first portion and the second portion, the locking bar configured to prevent migration of the first portion relative to the second portion.   
     
     
         2 . A method for treating a condition of a patient's airway, the method comprising:
 positioning a tissue tensioner within a patient, the tissue tensioner comprising a flexible, elongate elastic member having a first portion secured relative to a body tissue and a second portion comprising a tissue ingrowth material implanted in a portion of the tongue, wherein a locking bar is releasably attached to the first portion and the second portion to prevent migration of the first portion with respect to the second portion; and   manually pulling out the locking bar to allow migration of the first portion with respect to the second portion.