Abstract: Systems and methods for medializing a paralyzed vocal cord are disclosed. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a lateral portion, a medial portion, and a strut coupled to the lateral and the medial portions. Either the medial portion or the lateral portion can be adjustable in two dimensions which are not parallel to the length of the strut, which can also be adjustable. In some embodiments, the medial portion and/or the lateral portion can each comprise two adjustable arms and a base member which has a curvilinear configuration.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and systems for making customized treatments to a subject's vocal tissues to provide a desired level of vocal function.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the airway, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. An implant is positioned within the body with respect to the airway. The spatial orientation of the airway is manipulated, directly or indirectly, to affect the configuration of the airway. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace the trachea in an inferior direction, resist superior displacement of the trachea and/or to alter the tracheal wall tension. The implant restrains the trachea in the manipulated configuration.

Abstract: Medical devices, medical device kits, and related methods of treatment are described. An exemplary medical device comprises a proximal portion having an outer surface defining a thread and an inner surface defining a passageway having a keyed portion, a distal portion providing an atraumatic tip, and a flexible main body extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The medical device can be positioned in contact with a paralyzed vocal cord to cause a desired medialization for treatment of the vocal cord. The flexible main body allows for deflection upon contact and/or interaction with another device passed into the airway of a treated patient.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods develop static and/or kinetic and/or pressure forces to fixate or brace tissue in targeted pharyngeal structures and individual anatomic components within the pharyngeal conduit.

Abstract: A dilator may include a substantially conical body having a tip portion at a proximal end and a base portion at a distal end thereof. A wire lock portion may be configured to lock a guide wire to the dilator. A voice prosthesis holding portion may be connected to the substantially conical body by a connecting portion. The holding portion may have a central passage configured to have a tubular body of a voice prosthesis positioned therethrough, wherein at least one flange of the prosthesis is substantially unfolded proximally of the central passage.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems, methods, and kits for the medialization of a vocal cord are described. An embodiment of a medical device comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an elongate body extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion. The elongate body defines a thread extending from the proximal portion and the distal portion.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and systems for making customized treatments to a subject's vocal tissues to provide a desired level of vocal function.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the airway, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. An implant is positioned within the body with respect to the airway. The spatial orientation of the airway is manipulated, directly or indirectly, to affect the configuration of the airway. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace the trachea in an inferior direction, resist superior displacement of the trachea and/or to alter the tracheal wall tension. The implant restrains the trachea in the manipulated configuration.

Abstract: A gel cap is loaded on a folded flange of a voice prosthesis which is loaded on an end portion of an inserter, wherein a tip of the end portion is pressed against a valve flap of the voice prosthesis. The voice prosthesis includes a strap that is stretched for engagement with an attachment portion on the inserter. The voice prosthesis, gel cap, and inserter are inserted into the tracheoesophageal puncture. The patient then swallows fluids to cause the gel cap to dissolve to allow the esophageal flange to deploy, whereby upon deployment of the esophageal flange, the tip of the end portion of the inserter presses the valve flap open, allowing the inserter to move axially relative to the voice prosthesis until a stop collar of the inserter engages the voice prosthesis providing external visual confirmation to the user that the gel cap has dissolved and the esophageal flange has deployed.

Abstract: A material and method for augmenting soft tissue. The tissue augmentation material consists essentially of water and a polysaccharide gel former selected from the group consisting of a cellulose polysaccharide, starch, chitin, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, hydrophobe modified polysaccharide, an alginate, a carrageenan, agar, agarose, an intramolecular complex of a polysaccharide, an oligosaccharide and a macrocylic polysaccharide. Glycerin may also be included. The material may be used to augment soft tissue in a variety of areas, including the facial region and vocal folds.

Abstract: An implant being urged to be positioned between the thyroid cartilage (22) and a vocal cord (20) so as to displace the latter in order to restore the speech to a patient, characterized in that it comprises: i) a “prosthesis” (3) being urged to rest on the muscle of the vocal cord (20), ii) a “counterplate” (5) resting on the internal wall of the thyroid cartilage (22), and iii) a liking element (7) of the prosthesis (3) and the counterplate (5), said counterplate (5) being mobile on said at least one linking element (7), thus enabling the adjustment of the distance D between the prosthesis (3) and the counterplate (5) to maintain the implant (1) in place.

Abstract: An externally worn tracheal valve has a valve assembly supporting a flexible, resilient lightweight diaphragm centrally thereof. The diaphragm is folded towards the trachea so that air expelled from the trachea will tend to unfold the diaphragm to an extended position to close the valve. During normal breathing the diaphragm remains at least partially folded and the valve remains open. During voice exhalation, the diaphragm extends to close the valve. During high pressure coughing exhalation, the diaphragm may evert, opening the valve to release excessive pressure.

Abstract: An invention relating to a method for the delivery, or placement, of, for example, a voice prosthesis into a puncture. A flexible flange provided on an outside surface of the device is temporarily resiliently deflected into a delivery orientation so the device can be delivered. Once delivered, the retainer holding the flange in the delivery orientation is removed so the flange can extend out to the use orientation.

Abstract: A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end portion of the member.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a puncture in a tracheoesophageal wall includes a cylindrical body and a flexible first flange provided on an outside surface of the body. The flange has a use orientation in which it projects generally outwardly from the outside surface of the body and an insertion orientation in which it is resiliently folded toward the axis of the body. A retainer constructed of a material soluble in fluids present in the tracheoesophageal wall and esophagus retains the flange in its resiliently folded orientation.