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: 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: 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 method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition include surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is selected having a length, width and thickness sized to reside within the pocket. The length is sized to span the junction. The width is sized to be less than the width of the upper and lower cartilages. The thickness of the implant is as thin as possible while maintaining material strength to resist bending in response to inhalation pressures at the nasal valve. The implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with the length oriented spanning the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea includes identifying a patient as having sleep apnea susceptible to a first positive airway treatment which is at a first operating pressure level in excess of that which is otherwise tolerable to the patient. The patient is treated with an airway treatment selected to alter a portion of an airway tissue of the patient. The patient is then treated with a second positive airway pressure treatment at a second pressure level, which is below the pressure threshold.

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 direct dispensing, surgical suture package is disclosed. The package comprises a first rectangular panel 1 and a second rectangular panel 2. The second panel is foldably connected to a short side of the first rectangular panel. The package also comprises a first rectangular flap 3 which is foldably connected to a long side of the first rectangular panel. Further, the package comprises a second rectangular flap 4. The second flap is foldably connected to a long side of the second rectangular panel. The package further comprises means for accessing a surgical needle between the second rectangular panel and flap. The package is useful for dispensing a suture from it without having to open, tear or mutilate any of the panels or flaps.