US 8,505,539 B2Granted

Devices, systems and methods using titrated magnetic force systems

AssigneeKoninklijke Philips N.V.

InventorsJoe Paraschac, Edward M. Gillis

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Abstract

Systems and methods place a first structure and a second structure in or on different tissue regions for magnetic interaction. The first structure comprises at least one ferromagnetic component, and the second structure comprises an array of magnetic components. The first and second structures are separated during use by a distance, which is defined as a separation between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic components. The distance varies within a working range as a result of native movement of the tissue regions on which the first and second structures are placed. The systems and methods titrate the size and orientation of the magnetic and ferromagnetic components to maintain a relatively constant magnetic field between the two structures within the working range, thereby accommodating relative movement of the tissue regions in the normal performance of bodily functions.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A magnetic force system comprising

a first structure comprising at least one ferromagnetic component having a center of mass and being sized and configured to be placed in or on tissue in a tongue and/or soft palate and/or uvula and/or a region of hyoid muscle within an oral cavity, and
a second structure comprising an array of magnetic components having a center of mass, the second structure being sized and configured for placement within the oral cavity and/or on a neck and/or a jaw and/or a chin outside the oral cavity in a desired relationship with the first structure to magnetically interact with the first structure and
the first and second structures being separated during use by a distance, the distance being defined as a separation between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic components, the distance varying within a working range as a result of native movement of the tongue and/or soft palate and/or uvula and/or a region of hyoid muscle during swallowing and/or drinking and/or speech, the size and orientation of the first and second structures being selected so that variations in magnetic force of the magnetic interaction due to variations in the distance within the working range maintain the relationship that:
(FNEAR/FFAR)≦(δFAR2/δNEAR2)
where δFAR is the distance between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic components when the first and second magnetic structures are separated farthest apart within the working range,
δNEAR is the distance between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic components when the first and second magnetic structures are separated closest together within the working range,
FNEAR is the magnetic force of a magnetic force system where the distance is δNEAR, and
FFAR is the magnetic force of a magnetic force system where the distance is δFAR.

5 more elements

A method comprising

providing a first structure comprising at least one ferromagnetic component having a center of mass and being sized and configured to be placed in or on tissue in a tongue and/or soft palate and/or uvula and/or a region of hyoid muscle within an oral cavity,
providing a second structure comprising an array of magnetic components having a center of mass, the second structure being sized and configured for placement within the oral cavity and/or on a neck and/or a jaw and/or a chin outside the oral cavity in a desired relationship with the first structure to magnetically interact with the first structure, the first and second structures being separated during use by a distance, the distance being defined as a separation between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic components, the distance varying within a working range as a result of native movement of the tongue and/or soft palate and/or uvula and/or a region of hyoid muscle during swallowing and/or drinking and/or speech, and
titrating the size and orientation of the magnetic and ferromagnetic components so that variations in magnetic force of the magnetic interaction due to variations in the distance within the working range maintain the relationship that:
(FNEAR/FFAR)≦(δFAR2/δNEAR2)
where δFAR is the distance between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic components when the first and second magnetic structures are separated farthest apart within the working range,
δNEAR is the distance between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic components when the first and second magnetic structures are separated closest together within the working range,
FNEAR is the magnetic force of a magnetic force system where the distance is δNEAR, and
FFAR is the magnetic force of a magnetic force system where the distance is δFAR.

5 more elements

A magnetic force system comprising

a first structure comprising at least one ferromagnetic component having a center of mass sized and configured to be placed in or on tissue in a first tissue region, and
a second structure comprising an array of magnetic components having a center of mass, the second structure being sized and configured for placement in or on tissue in a second tissue region in a desired relationship with the first structure, the array of magnetic components magnetically interacting with the ferromagnetic component by attracting the ferromagnetic component,
the first and second structures being separated during use by a distance, the distance being defined as a separation between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic components, the distance varying within a working range as a result of native movement of the respective first and second tissue regions, the size and orientation of the first and second structures being selected so that variations in magnetic force due to variations in the distance within the working range maintain the relationship that:
(FNEAR/FFAR)≦(δFAR2/δNEAR2)
where δFAR is the distance between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic components when the first and second magnetic structures are separated farthest apart within the working range,
δNEAR is the distance between the centers of mass of the ferromagnetic and magnetic components when the first and second magnetic structures are separated closest together within the working range,
FNEAR is the magnetic force of a magnetic force system where the distance is δNEAR, and
FFAR is the magnetic force of a magnetic force system where the distance is δFAR.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/592,616Filed 3 Nov 2006 · continuation in part
Priority: 6 Sep 2002
Published: US 2007/0000497 A121 Jun 2007
Granted: 13 Aug 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

A61F 5/56
Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices ; Anti-rape devices: devices for preventing snoring
A61F 5/566
Devices for preventing snoring: intra-oral devices
A61F
Filters implantable into blood vessels

Family

Application10/236,455Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 6 Sep 2002
Application60/441,639Us provisional application · filed 22 Jan 2003
Application60/456,164Us provisional application · filed 20 Mar 2003
Application10/656,861Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 6 Sep 2003
Application10/718,254Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 20 Nov 2003
Application10/806,372Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 22 Mar 2004
Application60/739,519Us provisional application · filed 23 Nov 2005
Application60/754,839Us provisional application · filed 29 Dec 2005
Application11/397,744Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 4 Apr 2006
US 2007/0137654 A1Pre-grant publication · published 21 Jun 2007
US 7,721,740 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 7,441,559 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 7,360,542 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 7,188,627 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 7,216,648 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2004/0045556 A1Published application
US 2004/0139975 A1Published application
US 2004/0149290 A1Published application
US 2005/0004417 A1Published application
US 2005/0159637 A9Published application
US 2005/0284485 A9Published application
US 2006/0005843 A9Published application
US 2007/0000497 A1Published application
US 8,505,539 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.