Abstract: A pharyngeal airway having a pharyngeal wall of a patient at least partially surrounding and defining the airway is treated by selecting an implant dimensioned so as to be implanted at or beneath a mucosal layer of the pharyngeal wall and extending transverse to said wall. The implant has mechanical characteristics for the implant, at least in combination with a fibrotic tissue response induced by the implant, to stiffen said pharyngeal wall to resist radial collapse. The implant is implanted into the pharyngeal wall transverse to a longitudinal axis of the airway.

Abstract: A pharyngeal airway having a pharyngeal wall of a patient at least partially surrounding and defining the airway is treated by selecting an implant dimensioned so as to be implanted at or beneath a mucosal layer of the pharyngeal wall and extending transverse to said wall. The implant has mechanical characteristics for the implant, at least in combination with a fibrotic tissue response induced by the implant, to stiffen said pharyngeal wall to resist radial collapse. The implant is implanted into the pharyngeal wall transverse to a longitudinal axis of the airway.

Abstract: A pharyngeal airway having a pharyngeal wall of a patient at least partially surrounding and defining the airway is treated by selecting an implant dimensioned so as to be implanted at or beneath a mucosal layer of the pharyngeal wall and extending transverse to said wall. The implant has mechanical characteristics for the implant, at least in combination with a fibrotic tissue response induced by the implant, to stiffen said pharyngeal wall to resist radial collapse. The implant is implanted into the pharyngeal wall transverse to a longitudinal axis of the airway.

Abstract: An airway condition of a patient's is treated by selecting an implant sized to be implanted within a tongue of the patient. The implant has a tissue-engaging member sized to be implanted within the tongue near a base of the tongue to oppose relative movement between the tissue-engaging member and surrounding tissue of the tongue. The implant further has an elongated tether member with a first end secured to the tissue-engaging member. The implant is placed within the tongue with the tissue-engaging member implanted within tissue of the tongue near the base and with the tether member extending from the first end to a second end near a jaw bone of the patient. The second end of the tether is secured to the jaw bone.

Abstract: An airway condition of a patient is treated by selecting an implant sized to be implanted within a soft palate of the patient. The implant has a tissue-engaging member sized to be implanted within the soft palate near a trailing end of the soft palate to oppose relative movement between the tissue-engaging member and surrounding tissue of the soft palate. The implant further has an elongated tether member with a first end secured to the tissue-engaging member. The implant is placed within the soft palate with the tissue-engaging member implanted within tissue of the soft palate near the trailing end and with the tether member extending from the first end to a second end near a hard palate of the patient. The second end of the tether is secured to the hard palate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's airway. The condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of tissue from opposing surfaces in the airway. In various embodiments, the base of the tongue including geometry and position of the tongue is altered.

Abstract: A pharyngeal airway having a pharyngeal wall of a patient at least partially surrounding and defining the airway is treated by selecting an implant dimensioned so as to be implanted at or beneath a mucosal layer of the pharyngeal wall and extending transverse to said wall. The implant has mechanical characteristics for the implant, at least in combination with a fibrotic tissue response induced by the implant, to stiffen said pharyngeal wall to resist radial collapse. The implant is implanted into the pharyngeal wall transverse to a longitudinal axis of the airway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's airway. The condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of tissue from opposing surfaces in the airway. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus include placing a tissue contractor within the tissue. The contractor includes a static end and a tissue in-growth engaging end. The static end is secured to a bony structure adjacent to tissue to be contracted. The tissue in-growth engaging end is secured to the tissue and spaced from the bony structure. A spacing between the tissue engaging end and a bony end is contracted in order to place the tissue under tension.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's airway. The condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of tissue from opposing surfaces in the airway. In various embodiments, the base of the tongue including geometry and position of the tongue is altered.

Abstract: A pharyngeal airway having a pharyngeal wall of a patient at least partially surrounding and defining the airway is treated by selecting an implant dimensioned so as to be implanted at or beneath a mucosal layer of the pharyngeal wall and extending transverse to said wall. The implant has mechanical characteristics for the implant, at least in combination with a fibrotic tissue response induced by the implant, to stiffen said pharyngeal wall to resist radial collapse. The implant is implanted into the pharyngeal wall transverse to a longitudinal axis of the airway.

Abstract: A pharyngeal airway having a pharyngeal wall of a patient at least partially surrounding and defining the airway is treated by selecting an implant dimensioned so as to be implanted at or beneath a mucosal layer of the pharyngeal wall and extending transverse to said wall. The implant has mechanical characteristics for the implant, at least in combination with a fibrotic tissue response induced by the implant, to stiffen said pharyngeal wall to resist radial collapse. The implant is implanted into the pharyngeal wall transverse to a longitudinal axis of the airway.

Abstract: A pharyngeal airway having a pharyngeal wall of a patient at least partially surrounding and defining the airway is treated by selecting an implant dimensioned so as to be implanted at or beneath a mucosal layer of the pharyngeal wall and extending transverse to said wall. The implant has mechanical characteristics for the implant, at least in combination with a fibrotic tissue response induced by the implant, to stiffen said pharyngeal wall to resist radial collapse. The implant is implanted into the pharyngeal wall transverse to a longitudinal axis of the airway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating snoring include selecting an implant formed form a sheet of flexible, bio-compatible material. The sheet has a longitudinal length between a proximal edge and a distal edge, a transverse width and a thickness between upper and lower surfaces. The material is sized to be inserted into the soft palate with the longitudinal length extending aligned with an anterior-posterior axis of the soft palate and with the thickness contained within a thickness of the soft palate. The material has a plurality of spaces for accepting tissue growth from the soft palate into the spaces. The implant is inserted into the soft palate with the longitudinal length extending aligned with an anterior-posterior axis of the soft palate and with the thickness contained within the thickness of the soft palate.

Abstract: A method for treating snoring includes identifying first and second locations disposed on right and left sides, respectively, of a soft palate and separated by an anterior-posterior midline extending centrally positioned on the palate. The first and second locations are linked across the midline by creating a linkage between the first and second locations and through the midline with the linkage having a stiffness greater than a stiffness of untreated tissue naturally residing between the locations.

Abstract: A method for treating snoring includes identifying first and second locations disposed on right and left sides, respectively, of a soft palate and separated by an anterior-posterior midline extending centrally positioned on the palate. The first and second locations are linked across the midline by creating a linkage between the first and second locations and through the midline with the linkage having a stiffness greater than a stiffness of untreated tissue naturally residing between the locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating snoring include selecting an implant formed form a sheet of flexible, bio-compatible material. The sheet has a longitudinal length between a proximal edge and a distal edge, a transverse width and a thickness between upper and lower surfaces. The material is sized to be inserted into the soft palate with the longitudinal length extending aligned with an anterior-posterior axis of the soft palate and with the thickness contained within a thickness of the soft palate. The material has a plurality of spaces for accepting tissue growth from the soft palate into the spaces. The implant is inserted into the soft palate with the longitudinal length extending aligned with an anterior-posterior axis of the soft palate and with the thickness contained within the thickness of the soft palate.