Abstract: A method of maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient. The method includes the steps of implanting a device into airway-forming tissue without affixing the device to the tissue and permitting a bioerodable portion of the device to bioerode to apply a force to the airway-forming tissue to maintain airway patency. The invention also provides devices for practicing the method.

Abstract: A method of treating an airway disorder includes placing an implant in a patient's tongue, wherein the implant has first and second end portions that attach to tissue, and a tensioned medial portion between the first and second ends. The medial portion is configured to apply a pressure of less than a predetermined amount. Device systems associated with such methods are also provided.

Abstract: An implant for treating an obstructive airway disorder includes an elongate implant body configured for implanting in airway-interface tissue. At least a portion of the elongate body carries a light transmission material for permitting light transmission therein. Systems and methods of treating an airway disorder including implanting an implant in an airway-interface tissue are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient. A method includes the steps of wrapping a bioerodable material at least partway around an axis to create a wound bioerodable implant, and coupling two points on the bioerodable material to each other. The invention also provides systems for maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient that may be used with the methods.

Abstract: A system for treating an airway disorder is provided with an implant body configured to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. In some embodiments, the implant body has a V-shape with first and second elongated legs configured for implantation in airway-interface tissue. The first and second elongated legs are configured to apply tensile forces to the tissue. Methods of using such systems are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for treating sleep apnea. A method includes implanting at least first and second elongated implants in a tongue or soft palate of a patient, wherein each of the first and second implants is configured to have a first, expanded configuration and a second, contracted configuration, wherein implanting comprises implanting the first and second implants having their first, expanded configurations. The invention also provides systems for treating sleep apnea that can be used with the methods.

Abstract: Methods of maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient. A method includes the steps of wrapping a bioerodable material at least partway around an axis to create a wound bioerodable implant, and coupling two points on the bioerodable material to each other. The invention also provides systems for maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient that may be used with the methods.

Abstract: A patient's obstructive sleep apnea is treated by placing a fibrosis-inducing agent is placed within the tongue in a region extending substantially from a hyoid bone rearward toward a back surface of the tongue and upwardly along the back wall toward a free end of a soft palate of the patient.

Abstract: A patient's obstructive sleep apnea is treated by identifying a patient with sleep apnea attributable at least in part to movement of a base of a tongue of the patient toward a pharyngeal wall of the patient. The tongue is stiffened by an implant sized to be placed within the tongue. A distal portion of the implant is sized to extend within the tongue from a first end near a mandibular-geniohyoid interface to a second end near a base of the tongue. A proximal portion is attached to the first end and adapted to be secured to a jaw bone of the patient following a period of healing after placement of the implant in the tongue.

Abstract: A method of treating an airway disorder includes placing an implant in a patient's tongue, wherein the implant has first and second end portions that attach to tissue, and a tensioned medial portion between the first and second ends. The medial portion is configured to apply a pressure of less than a predetermined amount. Device systems associated with such methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s) can be partially cured and generally formed ex vivo and further and further formed in vivo at the joint site to enhance conformance and improve long term performance. In another embodiment, a preformed balloon or composite material can be inserted into the joint site and filled with a flowable biomaterial in situ to conform to the joint site. In yet another embodiment, the preformed component(s) can be fully cured and formed ex vivo and optionally further fitted and secured at the joint site.

Abstract: A system for treating an airway disorder is provided with an implant body configured to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. In some embodiments, the implant body has first and second end portions and a medial portion. The implant body also includes a coupler configured to couple the end portions to one another such that the medial portion encircles targeted tissue. Methods of using such systems are also provided.

Abstract: A system for treating an airway disorder is provided with an implant body configured to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. In some embodiments, the implant body has a V-shape with first and second elongated legs configured for implantation in airway-interface tissue. The first and second elongated legs are configured to apply tensile forces to the tissue. Methods of using such systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s) can be partially cured and generally formed ex vivo and further and further formed in vivo at the joint site to enhance conformance and improve long term performance. In another embodiment, a preformed balloon or composite material can be inserted into the joint site and filled with a flowable biomaterial in situ to conform to the joint site. In yet another embodiment, the preformed component(s) can be fully cured and formed ex vivo and optionally further fitted and secured at the joint site.

Abstract: A patient's obstructive sleep apnea is treated by identifying a patient with sleep apnea attributable at least in part to movement of a base of a tongue of said patient toward a pharyngeal wall of said patient. The method includes identifying a region in the tongue extending from a mandibular-geniohyoid interface to the base of the tongue and stiffening a tissue of the tongue throughout the identified region.

Abstract: A stent includes a main body of a generally tubular shape for insertion into a lumen of a vessel of a living being. The tubular main body includes a substantially biodegradable matrix having collagen IV and laminin that enclose voids within the matrix. The tubular main body also includes a biodegradable strengthening material in contact with the matrix to strengthen the matrix. The tubular main body is essentially saturated with drugs.

Abstract: Percutaneous treatment of aortic aneurysms and like vascular anomalies by an apparatus and method wherein the apparatus is delivered via catheter and comprises a sleeve with at least one peripheral conduit which is caused to assume an expanded, rigid configuration by the introduction of a chemical or mechanical hardening means, whereby the sleeve is caused to assume an open cylindrical configuration for fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: Percutaneous treatment of aortic aneurysms and like vascular anomalies by an apparatus and method wherein the apparatus is delivered via catheter and comprises a sleeve with at least one peripheral conduit which is caused to assume an expanded, rigid configuration by the introduction of a chemical or mechanical hardening means, whereby the sleeve is caused to assume an open cylindrical configuration for fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s) can be partially cured and generally formed ex vivo and further and further formed in vivo at the joint site to enhance conformance and improve long term performance. In another embodiment, a preformed balloon or composite material can be inserted into the joint site and filled with a flowable biomaterial in situ to conform to the joint site. In yet another embodiment, the preformed component(s) can be fully cured and formed ex vivo and optionally further fitted and secured at the joint site.

Abstract: A patient's obstructive sleep apnea is treated by identifying a patient with sleep apnea attributable at least in part to movement of a base of a tongue of the patient toward a pharyngeal wall of the patient. The tongue is stiffened by an implant sized to be placed within the tongue. A distal portion of the implant is sized to extend within the tongue from a first end near a mandibular-geniohyoid interface to a second end near a base of the tongue. A proximal portion is attached to the first end and adapted to be secured to a jaw bone of the patient following a period of healing after placement of the implant in the tongue.