Devices, Kits, and Methods for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A jig for use on the mandible of a patient, the jig comprising:

• a drill guide having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body defining a first passageway, a second passageway, a third passageway, a fourth passageway, and a protuberance, the first passageway having a first length, the second passageway having a second length, the protuberance extending outward and away from the distal end of the drill guide;
• and
• a tongue depressor releasably attached to the drill guide, the tongue depressor having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body that defines a track and an elongate member, the track extending from the proximal end toward the distal end and having a first shaft and a second shaft, the first shaft adapted to be received by the first passageway of the drill guide and having a third length, the second shaft adapted to be received by the second passageway of the drill guide and having a fourth length, the elongate member extending from the track to the distal end of the tongue depressor and having a proximal end and a distal end, the body of the tongue depressor defining a curve between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongate member;
• wherein the first length is less than the third length;
• and
• wherein the second length is less than the fourth length.

A method of treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a patient, said method comprising the steps of:

• placing a jig on the mandible of said patient, the jig comprising a drill guide and a tongue depressor releasably attached to the drill guide, the drill guide defining a first passageway, a second passageway, a third passageway, and a fourth passageway, the tongue depressor having a track disposed through the first passageway and second passageway of the drill guide;
• creating a first opening in the mandible of said patient by passing a medical device through the third passageway defined by the drill guide;
• creating a second opening in the mandible of said patient by passing a medical device through the third passageway defined by the drill guide;
• creating a transverse passageway in the tongue of said patient;
• pulling a sling having first and second ends through the transverse passageway using a first needle having an elongate shaft that defines a bend and a curve;
• pulling the first end of the sling through the first opening in the mandible of said patient using a second needle having an elongate shaft and defining a curve;
• pulling the second end of the sling through the second opening in the mandible of said patient using a third needle having an elongate shaft and defining a curve;
• pulling the first and second ends of the sling away from the mandible of said patient to advance the tongue toward the front of the mandible of said patient;
• and
• securing the sling to the mandible of said patient to support the tongue.