Abstract: Devices, kits and methods described herein include skin treatments with a book-like packaging, applicator and/or tensioning device used to apply a dressing to a subject. The packaging, applicator and/or tensioning device is used to apply and/or maintain a strain in an elastic dressing, and has a first support, a second support, and a primary bending region therebetween, the primary bending region comprising a primary bending axis, with the dressing attached to the first and second supports of the device.

Abstract: Devices, kits and methods described herein are provided for treatment to skin, including but not limited to wound healing, the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of scars or keloids. A book-like packaging, applicator and/or tensioning device can be used to apply a dressing to a subject.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the hyoid bone, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A conformable implant is positioned adjacent a hyoid bone. The spatial orientation of the hyoid bone is manipulated, to affect the configuration of the airway. The implant restrains the hyoid bone in the manipulated configuration. The implant is positioned adjacent to pharyngeal structures to dilate the pharyngeal airway and/or to support the pharyngeal wall against collapse. The implant may be attached to the hyoid bone using a clamp delivery tool that is adapted to releasably engage the implant.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the palatal tissue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the soft palate and may be secured to other surrounding, less mobile structures such as the hard palate or the mucosa overlying the hard palate. The implant may be manipulated to displace at least a portion of the soft palate in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the soft palate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for the treatment of airway obstruction, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and devices and methods that facilitate insertion and retrieval of the same. In one embodiment, disclosed is a tissue tensioner that includes an elongate flexible tether having a first end and a second end, a bone anchor configured to be connected to a patient's mandible, a tissue ingrowth implant configured to be implanted in a patient's tongue and connected to the second end of the tether, and an adjustment mechanism configured to be held by the bone anchor adjacent the patient's mandible and configured to receive the first end of the tether and configured to adjust tension in the flexible tether between the patient's mandible and tongue. Various anchors, tethers, securement mechanisms, and adjustment mechanisms that can be used with glossal and palatal remodeling systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the hyoid bone, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A conformable implant is positioned adjacent a hyoid bone. The spatial orientation of the hyoid bone is manipulated, to affect the configuration of the airway. The implant restrains the hyoid bone in the manipulated configuration. The implant is positioned adjacent to pharyngeal structures to dilate the pharyngeal airway and/or to support the pharyngeal wall against collapse. The implant may be attached to the hyoid bone using a clamp delivery tool that is adapted to releasably engage the implant.

Abstract: Devices, kits and methods described herein are provided for treatment to skin, including but not limited to wound healing, the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of scars or keloids. A book-like packaging, applicator and/or tensioning device can be used to apply a dressing to a subject.

Abstract: Devices, kits and methods described herein are provided for treatment to skin, including but not limited to wound healing, the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of scars or keloids. A book-like packaging, applicator and/or tensioning device can be used to apply a dressing to a subject.

Abstract: Methods and devices for rhinoplasty and treating nasal valve stenosis are disclosed herein. The nasal valve acts as a flow-limiter and can contribute to airway obstruction if resistance within the nasal valve is excessive. In one embodiment, a system for treating nasal valve stenosis includes a first elongate implant and a second elongate implant configured to support the nasal valves when implanted. The implants can be coupled together by connecting elements, such as eyelets, tethers, complementary socket joints, and button-rivet supports.

Abstract: Devices, kits and methods described herein may be for treatment to skin, including but not limited to wound healing, the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of scars or keloids. An applicator and/or tensioning device may be used to apply a dressing to a subject. The applicator and/or tensioning device applies and/or maintains a strain in an elastic dressing, wherein at least some of the strain is out-of-plane or at a non-orthogonal, non-parallel and non-aligned orientation to other strains in the dressing.

Abstract: Included in the terms of a purchase or lease agreement, particularly pertaining to automobiles, a party having a business relationship with the seller or lessor, or the seller or lessor itself, agrees to provide a policy, including at least collision and/or comprehensive coverage, to a qualified buyer. The insurance coverage protects against losses related to the item being purchased or leased for a predetermined period of time. To be qualified, the purchaser or lessor must reside in a particular geographic region and purchase or lease, for example, a particular make and model of automobile. No further characteristics of the purchaser or lessor are considered in obtaining the insurance policy. The sale or lease of the item and provision of the insurance policy may be completed over a computer network, such as the Internet.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the hyoid bone, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A conformable implant is positioned adjacent a hyoid bone. The spatial orientation of the hyoid bone is manipulated, to affect the configuration of the airway. The implant restrains the hyoid bone in the manipulated configuration. The implant is positioned adjacent to pharyngeal structures to dilate the pharyngeal airway and/or to support the pharyngeal wall against collapse. The implant may be attached to the hyoid bone using a clamp delivery tool that is adapted to releasably engage the implant.

Abstract: A device for closing an opening in tissue includes a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a channel disposed between the proximal and distal ends. A pair of pins are disposed within the channel and cooperate with a slidable and axially movable foot. The foot extends distally from the channel with a flexible guidebody extending from a distal foot end of the foot.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for the treatment of airway obstruction, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and devices and methods that facilitate insertion and retrieval of the same. In one embodiment, disclosed is a tissue tensioner that includes an elongate flexible tether having a first end and a second end, a bone anchor configured to be connected to a patient's mandible, a tissue ingrowth implant configured to be implanted in a patient's tongue and connected to the second end of the tether, and an adjustment mechanism configured to be held by the bone anchor adjacent the patient's mandible and configured to receive the first end of the tether and configured to adjust tension in the flexible tether between the patient's mandible and tongue. Various anchors, tethers, securement mechanisms, and adjustment mechanisms that can be used with glossal and palatal remodeling systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, kits and methods described herein may be for wound healing, including the treatment, amelioration, or prevention of scars and/or keloids by applying and/or maintaining a pre-determined strain in an elastic skin treatment device that is then affixed to the skin surface using skin adhesives to transfer a generally planar force from the bandage to the skin surface. Applicators are used to apply and/or maintain the strains, and some of the applicators are further configured to provide at least some mechanical advantage to the user when exerting loads onto the skin treatment device.

Abstract: Devices, kits and methods described herein may be for wound healing, including the treatment, amelioration, or prevention of scars and/or keloids by applying and/or maintaining a predetermined strain in an elastic skin treatment device that is then affixed to the skin surface using skin adhesives to transfer a generally planar force from the bandage to the skin surface. Applicators are used to apply and/or maintain the strains, and some of the applicators are further configured to provide at least some mechanical advantage to the user when exerting loads onto the skin treatment device.

Abstract: Devices, kits and methods described herein may be for wound healing, including the treatment, amelioration, or prevention of scars and/or keloids by applying and/or maintaining a pre-determined strain in an elastic skin treatment device that is then affixed to the skin surface using skin adhesives to transfer a generally planar force from the bandage to the skin surface. Applicators are used to apply and/or maintain the strains, and some of the applicators are further configured to provide at least some mechanical advantage to the user when exerting loads onto the skin treatment device.

Abstract: A device for closing an opening in tissue includes a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one pin associated with a distal end the shaft. A flexible guidebody extends from the distal end of the shaft, while a foot associated with the device is movable with respect to the shaft through the pin connected to at least one slot of the foot. Another device for closing an opening in tissue includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of feet are disposed proximate the distal end of the shaft, the plurality of feet being movable with respect to the shaft. The device further includes a flexible guidebody extending from the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for palate or tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the palate or tongue, are also described.

Abstract: Devices, kits and methods described herein may be for wound healing, including the treatment, amelioration, or prevention of scars and/or keloids by applying and/or maintaining a predetermined strain in an elastic skin treatment device that is then affixed to the skin surface using skin adhesives to transfer a generally planar force from the bandage to the skin surface. Applicators are used to apply and/or maintain the strains, and some of the applicators are further configured to provide at least some mechanical advantage to the user when exerting loads onto the skin treatment device.