Abstract: An airway implant device for maintaining and/or creating an opening in air passageways is disclosed. Methods of using the device are also disclosed. The airway implant device comprises an actuator element to control the opening of an air passageway. Preferably the actuator element is an electroactive polymer element. Energizing of the electroactive polymer element provides support for the walls in order to prevent the collapse of an air passageway. Some embodiments of the invention include a sensor capable of sensing the possible occurrence of an apneic event and activating the actuator element of the airway implant device. Some embodiments include a housing designed to conform to the shape of the palate. Some embodiments include an attachment element to secure the device to tissue. Methods of treating airway disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring with the airway implant device are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An externally controlled fan drive includes a fluid clutch that alters torque delivered to a fan housing to rotate the fan housing at a target fan speed. An adaptive controller measures the actual fan speed and adaptively updates the control logic to compensate for variable physical characteristics of the fan device.

Abstract: An airway implant device for maintaining and/or creating an opening in air passageways is disclosed. Methods of using the device are also disclosed. The airway implant device comprises a deformable element to control the opening of an air passageway. Preferably the deformable element is an electroactive polymer element. Energizing of the electroactive polymer element provides support for the walls of an air passageway, when the walls collapse, and thus, completely or partially opens the air passageway. Some embodiments of the invention include a sensor capable of sensing the possible occurrence of an apneic event and activating the deformable element of the airway implant device. Methods of treating airway disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring with the airway implant device are disclosed herein.