Barbed nasal implant and method for adjustable repair and re-positioning of the nasal valve ligament

Abstract

An implant device for non-surgically repairing and augmenting internal nasal valve ligaments of a patient. The device is configured for tunneling a subcutaneously into the ligaments of the nasal valve and the surrounding soft tissues and periosteum of the adjacent bony structures, causing a tightening of the nasal valve ligaments and repositioning the nasal valve in adjustable fashion. The device comprises a barbed elongate implant that is introduced by tunneling subcutaneously into the nasal valve ligament allowing for structural re-positioning of the nasal valve cartilage structures and tightening of the ligaments, which is adjustable intra-operatively and allows for structural support of the nose and/or causes a change in the external shape of the nose.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implant for expanding a nasal passage to facilitate nasal breathing and air flow by engaging with a ligament extending alongside the nasal passage upon insertion into a pilot hole extending inwardly through a lower lateral cartilage along a lining of the nasal passage toward a nasal bone, comprising:
 a longitudinally extending support material forming an elongate central support member;   a plurality of spaced-apart, angled barbs positioned along a surface of the central support member along a length of the central support member, on either side of an anchor point of the central support member;   the central support member comprising a generally cylindrical linear member that supports the plurality of barbs on opposite sides of the central support member, such that barbs are angled inwardly toward the anchor point and positioned on opposite lateral sides of the central support member; and   the central support member comprising a first region to one side of the anchor point and a second region to the opposite side of the anchor point, where the barbs are angled with a hypotenuse extending from an apex on the surface of the central support member upwardly and away from the surface of the central support member toward the anchor point,   whereby after insertion of the implant into the pilot hole, the ligament of the patient is retained against the barbs and the lower lateral cartilage is biased outwardly to expand the nasal passage after pressure is applied to the implant while compressing the ligament.   
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a plurality of barbs positioned on opposite sides or surfaces in a staggered configuration such that a first or reference barb on one side of the central support member does not have an oppositely disposed second barb on the other side of the central support member, but rather has second and/or third barbs on the other side of the central support member positioned closer to the anchor point and further away from the anchor point that the respective first barb. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a plurality of barbs in a paired configuration such that the barbs are positioned on opposite sides or surfaces, with a first or reference barb on one side of the central support material has an oppositely disposed second barb on the other side of the central support material, such that pairs of barbs extend in spaced apart pairs along the length of the central support member, disposed on opposite sides of the central support member. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the barbs extend in a linear array or line from the anchor point, out to the distal end of the central support member. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 4 , wherein the barbs terminate a predetermined distance from the distal end of the central support member, or may extend to the distal end. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the material of the implant comprises a dissolvable material such as polydiaxanone (PDO) or polylactic acid (PLA). 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the material of the implant comprises a non-dissolvable material such as nylon or other such material. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is selected to be either malleable, rigid, or flexible.