Airway Implant System and Method
AssigneeSomnus Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJohnathan Howard Cronin, William Matthew Cronin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A palatal implant includes a longitudinal biocompatible fibrous body having a body surface, a first end, and a second end, the second end including an anti-backout portion. Another palatal implant includes a longitudinal biocompatible fibrous body having a body surface, a first end, and a second end, the first end including a tapered portion. An implant inserter and system, and a method for delivering an implant into a soft palate of a patient, are also disclosed.
Claims19
A palatal implant comprising:
- a longitudinal biocompatible fibrous body having a body surface, a first end, and a second end, the second end including an anti-backout portion.
A palatal implant comprising:
- a longitudinal biocompatible fibrous body having a body surface, a first end, and a second end, the first end including a tapered portion.
An implant inserter comprising:
- a handle with an adjustable palm stop;
- a distal targeting needle adaptor preloaded with an implant;
- and
- a pushrod with a proximal thumb stop.
A system comprising:
- at least one palatal implant;
- and
- at least one palatal implant inserter sterile packed for single use.
A method for delivering an implant into a soft palate of a patient comprising:
- providing an inserter comprising a handle with an adjustable palm stop, a distal targeting needle adaptor preloaded with an implant, and a pushrod with a proximal thumb stop;
- rotating the palm stop to expose depth markings and adjusting to a predetermined depth setting;
- attaching the distal targeting needle adaptor to the handle using a locking mechanism;
- inserting the pushrod through the inserter to confirm unobstructed passage and removing the pushrod;
- placing the inserter intraorally against the soft palate of the patient and applying axial pressure to puncture tissue of the soft palate and advance to the preset depth;
- re-inserting the pushrod to deliver the implant to a target site in the soft palate;
- simultaneously retracting the inserter while applying axial force through the pushrod, thereby deploying and securing the implant in place within the soft palate;
- repeating the providing, the rotating, the attaching, the inserting, the placing, the re-inserting, and the simultaneous retracting and applying for additional implants, wherein each subsequent implant is delivered lateral to a midline of the soft palate at defined distances;
- and
- confirming final implant positioning for airway stabilization and making adjustments if necessary.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.