US 11,717,436 B2
Methods and devices for treating sleep apnea
Ira Sanders, Oakland, NJ (US); and Cliff Dwyer, Weston, FL (US)
Assigned to Linguaflex, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (US)
Filed by Linguaflex, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (US)
Filed on Jul. 1, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/918,871.
Application 16/918,871 is a continuation of application No. 15/898,766, filed on Feb. 19, 2018, granted, now 10,736,771.
Application 15/898,766 is a continuation of application No. 13/124,365, granted, now 9,925,086, issued on Mar. 27, 2018, previously published as PCT/US2009/060991, filed on Oct. 16, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/196,257, filed on Oct. 16, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2020/0330262 A1, Oct. 22, 2020
Int. Cl. A61F 5/56 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 5/566 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/00349 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for treatment of a breathing disorder, the method comprising:
a) inserting a tissue retractor implantation device through a first location of a soft tissue located in a patient's oral cavity or pharynx, the tissue retractor implantation device including a mechanical coupler;
b) inserting a implantable tissue retractor into the oral cavity or pharynx, the implantable tissue retractor comprising a flexible elastic shaft, a retractor member connected at or near a first end of the shaft, a removable coupler removably connected at or near a second end of the shaft, and an anchor member configured to be threaded onto the shaft and secured thereto during implantation wherein at least one of a portion of the shaft, the retractor member, or the anchor member is positionable on a surface of the soft tissue to prevent a deformation of at least a portion of the soft tissue of the patient;
c) engaging the removable coupler with the mechanical coupler of the tissue retractor implantation device;
d) withdrawing the mechanical coupler of the tissue retractor implantation device to position at least a portion of the shaft of the implantable tissue retractor within the soft tissue;
e) securing the anchor member to the second end of the shaft of the implantable tissue retractor to secure at least a portion of the implantable tissue retractor within the soft tissue; and
f) removing the removable coupler from the tissue retractor.