A tongue manipulation device (10) has a tissue anchor (20) for attachment to the tongue, a bone anchor (22) typically for attachment to the mandible and a tether line (24) which fixes the tissue anchor to the bone anchor. The bone anchor comprises a tether line spool arrangement which comprises a spool (46) rotatable about a spooling axis and a spooling locking arrangement (54). The spooling locking arrangement is controlled by rotation about the spooling axis between spooling locking and permitting configurations. In this way, the physician implanting and setting the device can perform titration and subsequent locking as two independent operations.

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 m to about 200 m. The length of the tether is selected to be a desirable maximum distance between the anatomical structures along a desired path when secured therebetween.

A connection tool for a tongue manipulation device system includes a connector for coupling to a tongue advancer tether, a tension meter coupled to the connector, and a tensioner for applying a tension or pulling force to the connector via the tension meter. The tension meter is further configured to indicate when a determined tension or pulling force is applied to the connector such that the tongue advancer tether is kept taut.

A tongue advancer assembly for a tongue manipulation system includes a core mount and a tongue advancer for coupling to the core mount. The core mount includes a connection rod coupling for coupling the tongue advancer assembly to a distal end of a connection rod.

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.

A tongue advancer implant (101) or removal (1601) tool for a tongue manipulation system comprising: a loading mechanism configured to enable the loading of an implant or removal assembly; a propulsion element configured to be charged; a release mechanism configured to permit the propulsion element to propel the implant or removal assembly from the implant or removal tool.

A tissue retractor including a head member, an anchor member, and a shaft extending between the head member and the anchor member. The shaft has an elastic portion and an adjustment portion. The elastic portion is made of a first material and the adjustment portion is made of a second different material. The adjustment portion has a first locking element and the anchor member has a second locking element. The first locking element and the second locking element are configured to adjust the length of the shaft that extends between the head member and the anchor member. Also, a tissue retractor including a head member having a window and an anchoring segment surrounding the perimeter of the window, an anchor member, and a shaft extending between the head member and the anchor member, the shaft having an elastic portion and an adjustment portion.

A connection tool for a tongue manipulation system includes a connector configured to be coupled to a tongue advancer tether, a connection tool body, and a separable removal cannula part. The separable removal cannula part is configured to follow a tongue advancer tether line in order to enable a removal sleeve located at least partially within the separable removal cannula part to contact the tongue advancer. The separable removal cannula part is configured to be separated from the connection tool body following the removal sleeve contacting the tongue advancer and to expose a proximal end of the removal sleeve.

A method for anchoring soft tissue, such as a human tongue, to bone applied to minimizing snoring and sleep apnea in a human by properly positioning the tongue. A device is introduced through the patient's chin area through a drilled channel into the soft tissue of the tongue and then withdrawn in a manner whereby a portion of the device is secured to the patient's mandible by an engagement piece. A cord is utilized to apply tension to the engagement piece in a manner that allows for subsequent adjustment of tension on the engagement piece, both immediate and delayed.

Apparatus and methods for ventral only ablation of the tongue, for use in treating sleep apnea and related breathing disorders. An RF ablation probe or wand is inserted in ventral surface of a patient's tongue in a superior plane along a longitudinal (i.e., anterior to posterior) axis of the tongue, to a predetermined depth. The wand is withdrawn, RF energy is applied, creating a lesion predominantly in the interior of the tongue in an anterior to posterior plane, thereby resulting in less scarring but appreciable movement of the posterior tongue base away from the posterior pharyngeal wall. Also disclosed is a tongue retractor device used for measuring the depth of wand insertion, lifting the tongue to expose the ventral surface of the tongue for the procedure, and providing a stop surface to inhibit further wand insertion.