Methods and systems for creating pressure gradients to improve airway patency
AssigneeApnicure, Inc.
InventorsMatthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edwards Crowe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.
Claims19
A method for improving airway patency in a patient having an oral cavity, a hard palate, a soft palate, a tongue, and an airway, said method comprising:
- applying a first negative pressure through a first port at a first location above the patient's tongue in the patient's oral cavity;
- and
- applying a second negative pressure through a second port at a second location adjacent the patient's soft palate in the patient's oral cavity, the second pressure being different than the first pressure;
- wherein the tongue and soft palate are positioned such that the airway is drawn at least partially open.
Apparatus for improving airway patency comprising:
- an oral device positionable in an oral cavity;
- a first port coupled to or integral with the oral device in a first inferior location;
- a second port coupled to or integral with the oral device in a second posterior location;
- means for applying a first negative pressure through the first port;
- and
- means for applying a second negative pressure through the second port, the second pressure being different than the first pressure;
- wherein the oral device is configured such that the first port applies suction to the tongue and the second port applies suction to the soft palate such that the airway is drawn at least partially open.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.