US5879349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for treatment of air way obstructions
Assignee: Somnus Medical Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1996-08-12
•
Granted: 1999-03-09
•
Expires: 2016-08-12
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus that reduces a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue includes a handpiece and an electrode at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece. The electrode includes an electrode electromagnetic energy delivery surface and is advance able from the interior of the handpiece into the interior of the tongue. An electrode advancement member is coupled to the electrode and configured to advance the electrode an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue. The advancement distance is sufficient for the electrode electromagnetic energy delivery surface to deliver electromagnetic energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. A cable is coupled to the electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart D. Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/24; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1485; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61N1/40; A61N1/403; A61N5/00; A61N5/02; A61N5/04; A61N5/045; A61B18/1402; A61B18/1442; A61B18/20; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00026; A61B2017/00084; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/00296; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00814; A61B2017/248; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00089; A61B2018/00101; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00196; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/0025; A61B2018/00261; A61B2018/00273; A61B2018/00291; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00321; A61B2018/00327; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00708; A61B2018/00744; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/00827; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00892; A61B2018/00982; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2218/003; A61B5/00; A61B5/41; A61B5/414; A61B5/415; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0082; A61M2025/0096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue, comprising: a handpiece including a handpiece tongue interface surface; an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece, the energy delivery device including an energy delivery surface and advance able from the interior of the handpiece into the interior of the tongue; an advancement member coupled to the energy delivery device and configured to advance the energy delivery device an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue, wherein the advancement distance is sufficient for the energy delivery surface to deliver energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without permanently damaging a main branch of a hypoglossal nerve, wherein the advancement member advances at least a portion of the energy delivery device through the handpiece tongue interface surface in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handpiece; and a cable coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue, comprising: a handpiece including a handpiece tongue interface surface; an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece, the energy delivery device including an energy delivery surface and advance able from the interior of the handpiece into the interior of the tongue; an advancement member coupled to the energy delivery device and configured to advance the energy delivery device an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue, wherein the advancement distance is sufficient for the energy delivery surface to deliver energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without permanently damaging a main branch of a hypoglossal nerve, wherein the advancement member advances at least a portion of the energy delivery device through the handpiece tongue interface surface in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handpiece; and a cable coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery device is an RF electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: an RF energy source coupled to the RF electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a cooling device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece and configured to cool a surface of the tongue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a flow rate control device coupled to the cooling device and configured to control a cooling medium flow rate through the cooling device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an insulator at least partially positioned around an exterior of the energy delivery device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a sensor positioned at a distal end of the insulator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor positioned at a distal end of the energy delivery device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor positioned on an exterior of the handpiece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first sensor positioned at a distal end of the energy delivery device and a second sensor positioned at a distal end of an insulator, wherein the insulator is at least partially positioned around an exterior of the energy delivery device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a feedback control means coupled to the energy delivery device, a sensor and an energy source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an infusion medium source coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue, comprising: a handpiece including a handpiece tongue interface surface; an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece, the energy delivery device including an energy delivery surface and advance able from the interior of the handpiece into the interior of the tongue; an advancement and retraction member coupled to the energy delivery device and configured to advance at least a portion of the energy delivery device to a placement position in the interior of the tongue, wherein at the placement position the energy delivery surface delivers sufficient energy to reduce a volume of the selected site without permanently damaging a main branch of a hypoglossal nerve, wherein the advancement and retraction member advances at least a portion of the energy delivery device through the handpiece tongue interface surface in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handpiece, and a cable coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue, comprising: a handpiece including a handpiece tongue interface surface; an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece, the energy delivery device including an energy delivery surface and advance able from the interior of the handpiece into the interior of the tongue; an advancement and retraction member coupled to the energy delivery device and configured to advance at least a portion of the energy delivery device to a placement position in the interior of the tongue, wherein at the placement position the energy delivery surface delivers sufficient energy to reduce a volume of the selected site without permanently damaging a main branch of a hypoglossal nerve, wherein the advancement and retraction member advances at least a portion of the energy delivery device through the handpiece tongue interface surface in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handpiece, and a cable coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the advancement and retraction member further comprises: a guide channel configured to receive the energy delivery device in at least a portion of the interior of the handpiece and configured to guide an advancement direction of the energy delivery device from the handpiece into the interior of the tongue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the energy delivery device is an RF electrode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: an RF energy source coupled to the RF electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a cooling device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece and configured to cool a surface of the tongue.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: a flow rate control device coupled to the cooling device and configured to control a cooling medium flow rate through the cooling device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: an insulator at least partially positioned around an exterior of the energy delivery device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: a sensor positioned at a distal end of the insulator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a sensor positioned at a distal end of the energy delivery device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a sensor positioned on an exterior of the handpiece.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a first sensor positioned at a distal end of the energy delivery device and a second sensor positioned at a distal end of an insulator, wherein the insulator is at least partially positioned around an exterior of the energy delivery device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a feedback control means coupled to the energy delivery device, a sensor and an energy source.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: an infusion medium source coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue, comprising: a handpiece including a handpiece tongue interface surface; an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece, the energy delivery device including an energy delivery surface and an energy delivery device advancement length extending from an exterior of the handpiece to the interior of the tongue, delivery surface at the selected site and deliver sufficient energy to reduce a volume of the selected tissue site without permanently damaging a main branch of a hypoglossal nerve; an advancement and retraction member coupled to the energy delivery device and configured to advance and retract at least a portion of the energy delivery device, wherein the advancement and retraction member advances at least a portion of the energy delivery device through the handpiece tongue interface surface in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handpiece; and a cable coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue, comprising: a handpiece including a handpiece tongue interface surface; an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece, the energy delivery device including an energy delivery surface and an energy delivery device advancement length extending from an exterior of the handpiece to the interior of the tongue, delivery surface at the selected site and deliver sufficient energy to reduce a volume of the selected tissue site without permanently damaging a main branch of a hypoglossal nerve; an advancement and retraction member coupled to the energy delivery device and configured to advance and retract at least a portion of the energy delivery device, wherein the advancement and retraction member advances at least a portion of the energy delivery device through the handpiece tongue interface surface in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handpiece; and a cable coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the energy delivery device is an RF electrode.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising: an RF energy source coupled to the RF electrode.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: a cooling device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece and configured to cool a surface of the tongue.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising: a flow rate control device coupled to the cooling device and configured to control a cooling medium flow rate through the cooling device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: an insulator at least partially positioned around an exterior of the energy delivery device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising: a sensor positioned at a distal end of the insulator.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: a sensor positioned at a distal end of the energy delivery device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: a sensor positioned on an exterior of the handpiece.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: a first sensor positioned at a distal end of the energy delivery device and a second sensor positioned at a distal end of an insulator, wherein the insulator is at least partially positioned around an exterior of the energy delivery device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: a feedback control means coupled to the energy delivery device, a sensor and an energy source.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: an infusion medium source coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue, comprising: a handpiece including a handpiece tongue interface surface; an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece and advance able from the interior of the handpiece into the interior of the tongue, wherein the energy delivery device has a geometric shape configured to reduce a volume of the selected site without permanently damaging a main branch of a hypoglossal nerve; an advancement and retraction member coupled to the energy delivery device and configured to advance and retract at least a portion of the energy delivery device, wherein the advancement and retraction member advances at least a portion of the energy delivery device through the handpiece tongue interface surface in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handpiece; and a cable coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue, comprising: a handpiece including a handpiece tongue interface surface; an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece and advance able from the interior of the handpiece into the interior of the tongue, wherein the energy delivery device has a geometric shape configured to reduce a volume of the selected site without permanently damaging a main branch of a hypoglossal nerve; an advancement and retraction member coupled to the energy delivery device and configured to advance and retract at least a portion of the energy delivery device, wherein the advancement and retraction member advances at least a portion of the energy delivery device through the handpiece tongue interface surface in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handpiece; and a cable coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the energy delivery device is an RF electrode.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising: an RF energy source coupled to the RF electrode.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising: a cooling device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece and configured to cool a surface of the tongue.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising: a flow rate control device coupled to the cooling device and configured to control a cooling medium flow rate through the cooling device.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising: an insulator at least partially positioned around an exterior of the energy delivery device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising: a sensor positioned at a distal end of the insulator.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising: a sensor positioned at a distal end of the energy delivery device.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising: a sensor positioned on an exterior of the handpiece.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising: a first sensor positioned at a distal end of the energy delivery device and a second sensor positioned at a distal end of an insulator, wherein the insulator is at least partially positioned around an exterior of the energy delivery device.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising: a feedback control means coupled to the energy delivery device, a sensor and an energy source.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising: an infusion medium source coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
140 words
An apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue, comprising: a handpiece including a handpiece tongue interface surface; and an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece, the energy delivery device including an energy delivery surface and an energy delivery device advancement length extending from an exterior of the handpiece to the interior of the tongue, the energy delivery device having an advancement length sufficient to position the energy delivery surface at the selected site and deliver sufficient energy to reduce a volume of the selected tissue site without permanently damaging a main branch of a hypoglossal nerve, wherein at least a portion of the energy delivery device extends from the handpiece tongue interface surface in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handpiece.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
140 words
An apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue, comprising: a handpiece including a handpiece tongue interface surface; and an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece, the energy delivery device including an energy delivery surface and an energy delivery device advancement length extending from an exterior of the handpiece to the interior of the tongue, the energy delivery device having an advancement length sufficient to position the energy delivery surface at the selected site and deliver sufficient energy to reduce a volume of the selected tissue site without permanently damaging a main branch of a hypoglossal nerve, wherein at least a portion of the energy delivery device extends from the handpiece tongue interface surface in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handpiece.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery device is a waveguide configured to be coupled to a light source.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery device is an ultrasound emitter configured to be coupled to an ultrasound source.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery device is a microwave antenna configured to be coupled to a microwave source.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the energy delivery device is a waveguide configured to be coupled to a light source.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the energy delivery device is an ultrasound emitter configured to be coupled to an ultrasound source.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the energy delivery device is a microwave antenna configured to be coupled to a microwave source.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the energy delivery device is a waveguide configured to be coupled to a light source.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the energy delivery device is an ultrasound emitter configured to be coupled to an ultrasound source.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the energy delivery device is a microwave antenna configured to be coupled to a microwave source.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the energy delivery device is a waveguide configured to be coupled to a light source.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the energy delivery device is an ultrasound emitter configured to be coupled to an ultrasound source.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the energy delivery device is a microwave antenna configured to be coupled to a microwave source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-08 | 2002-09-07 | 2003-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-08 | 2006-09-07 | 2007-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-08 | 2010-09-07 | 2011-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |