Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression are described. The system can include a shaft and a needle, wherein the needle is freely rotatable with respect to the shaft. The suture may include an overmolded segment. Methods of placing one or more implants, sutures, fastener, bone anchors and other devices are also described. The methods include moving tissue, including the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, palatopharyngeal arch, and palatoglossal arch. The methods include hyoid bone suspension.

An implantable device for aiding in generating connective tissue between a pair of anatomical structures in a mammalian body is provided. The device includes an elongate, flexible tether which can be secured between the anatomical structures and which carries a scaffold which is generally porous so as to be capable of promoting tissue ingrowth and collagen deposition along its length. The scaffold extends along the tether for a sufficient distance so that it is securable in at least close proximity to an anatomical structure at either end. The pores in the scaffold extend through the scaffold and each has a diameter in the range of about 10 μm to about 200 μm. The length of the tether is selected to be a desirable maximum distance between the anatomical structures along a desired path when secured therebetween.

Systems and methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are described. A system can include a variable-thickness suspension line for suspending tissue, including a suture having a first thickness dimension; an elastomer surrounding a portion of the suture and defining a central segment of the suspension line having a second thickness dimension greater than the first thickness dimension, and at least one transition zone extending from the central segment of the suspension line to a lateral end of the suspension line, the transition zones having a thickness dimension that tapers from the second thickness dimension to the first thickness dimension.

There is provided a suture passer device used in procedures of robotic assisted minimally invasive suspension of the hyoid and tongue base in treatment of sleep apnea. The suture passer device is a dual use suture passer, having both suture insertor and extractor functionality on a single unitary instrument section of the device by means of insertion and extraction hooks positioned on an elongated needlelike body which is connected to a handle grip. The insertion and extraction hooks receive a suture via an opening in the body of the instrument, with the suture capable of removal and fastening to the extraction hook by robotic forceps. Procedures for using the device are disclosed which include a single point of entry on a patient and the device moved to first and second positions above and below the hyoid bone during robotic assisted surgery.

A tongue elevator device having a handle portion, an elongated neck portion and a manipulator end portion. The handle preferably has an oblong main body having a relatively thin flat portion and a relatively thick transversely-extending end portion for secure and comfortable gripping between the fingers and thumb of the user. The elongated neck portion extends distally from the flat portion of the handle portion, and may be provided with measuring indicia to visually illustrate distances from the manipulator end portion of the device. The manipulator end portion has a concave distal edge, which may be formed angularly or arcuately, and a central recess or slot is provided in the concave distal edge to receive the frenulum tissue. A concave thumb recess may be disposed on the handle portion.

Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for 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 tongue, are also described.

Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression are described. The system can include a shaft and a needle, wherein the needle is freely rotatable with respect to the shaft. The suture may include an overmolded segment. Methods of placing one or more implants, sutures, fastener, bone anchors and other devices are also described. The methods include moving tissue, including the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, palatopharyngeal arch, and palatoglossal arch. The methods include hyoid bone suspension.

A tongue elevator device is a unitary body having a handle portion, an elongated neck portion and a manipulator end portion. The handle preferably has an oblong main body having a relatively thin flat portion and a relatively thick transversely-extending end portion for secure and comfortable gripping between the fingers and thumb of the user. The elongated neck portion extends distally from the flat portion of the handle portion, and is preferably provided with measuring indicia to visually illustrate distances from the manipulator end portion of the device. The manipulator end portion has a concave distal edge, which may be formed angularly or arcuately, and a central recess or slot is provided in the concave distal edge to receive the frenulum tissue.

The disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, devices, and methods for treating a breathing disorder. The method comprises creating an anchor hole at a location within or subjacent to a mandible bone, and positioning an elastic elongate member through the anchor hole, the elongate member having first and second ends at an entrance of the anchor hole and a loop in a region of a pharynx. The method further comprises connecting a retractor member at or near an end of the loop of the elastic elongate member in a region of the tongue, and connecting an anchor member at or near the ends of the elastic elongate member at the entrance of the anchor hole. In the method, at least one of the elastic elongate member, the retractor member, and the anchor member interact to distribute a force on the tongue and the force prevents obstruction of an airway.

Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for 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 tongue, are also described.