Apparatus and methods for treating sleep apnea

An apparatus for treating at least one of sleep apnea and snoring in a human or an animal having an oropharyngeal region, the apparatus comprising:

• an appliance sized and structured to be placed in the oropharyngeal region and being effective in treating at least one of sleep apnea and snoring, the appliance comprising substantially opposing elongated elements spaced apart from one another and coupled together at opposing end regions, thereby forming an open loop configuration enclosing an open area between the elongated elements and defining a relatively narrow central region located midway between the end regions and relatively wide regions between the centrally located region and the end regions, each of the elongated elements having a generally centrally located portion flanked by broadened portions extending from the centrally located portion to respective opposing end regions, the centrally located portion of one elongated element located substantially more closely to the centrally located portion of the other elongated element to define the centrally located region and the broadened portions of one elongated element spaced further from the broadened portions of the other elongated element to define the relatively wide regions between the centrally located region and the end regions, thereby defining a bow-tie shape.

A method for treating sleep apnea or snoring within an oropharyngeal region adjacent an anterior longitudinal ligament located between the oropharyngeal region and the spinal column, the method comprising:

• introducing an implant into the oropharyngeal region, the implant comprising a central region between first and second regions, the central region being vertically narrow relative to the first and second regions;
• and
• introducing the first region through an opening through or behind the ligament, the first region compressed vertically from a relaxed configuration as the first region passes through the opening, until the first region passes through the opening, whereupon the first region resiliently expands towards the relaxed configuration, the central region remaining within the opening to maintain the implant within the oropharyngeal region, the first and second regions applying a force to tissue adjacent the oropharyngeal region.

A method for controlling sleep apnea or snoring in a human or animal having an oropharyngeal region and an anterior longitudinal ligament located between the oropharyngeal region and the spinal column, the method comprising:

• providing a flexible, resilient appliance sized and structured to be positioned in an oropharyngeal region of a patient, the appliance comprising substantially opposing elongated elements together forming a loop having a generally narrow central region and first and second end regions that are relatively wider than the central region;
• introducing the appliance into the oropharyngeal region by passing the appliance into a lateral or posterior wall of the oropharyngeal region and through or adjacent the anterior longitudinal ligament of the patient such that, upon the appliance being so positioned in the oropharyngeal region, the generally narrow central region is at least partially beneath the posterior wall of the oropharyngeal region and the first and second end portions are located against or within the posterior and right and left lateral walls of the oropharyngeal region.