A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is described. The system may include a device having a size and shape selected to couple externally to a patient near a jaw of the patient. The device may be configured to receive at least one of a needle or an introducer for insertion into a tongue of the patient for lead placement of a lead for OSA treatment, and guide at least a portion of the at least one of the needle or introducer for insertion into the tongue of the patient.

A system includes a platform configured for insertion into a user's nostril and a catheter. The platform includes a board having first and second major surfaces and a support extending from the board. The support includes an aperture therethrough. The catheter includes an inflatable tube and a lumen having first and second ends, the first end connected to the tube and the second end connected to a pressurized fluid source for inflating the tube. The tube is configured for insertion through the aperture. A method includes inserting a platform into a user's nostril, inserting a catheter through an aperture of the platform, and inflating a tube of the catheter. Inflating the tube is accomplished by introducing a pressurized fluid through a lumen of the catheter, to thereby cause the tube to conform to a passage of the user's nasal or pharyngeal region.

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.

Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

The disclosed embodiments includes apparatuses, devices, and methods for treating a breathing disorder, comprising: inserting a first target oral stud into a first location of an anchor structure, the first target oral stud including a target stud shaft, a target anterior anchor, and a target posterior anchor, wherein the target stud shaft (or suture) is positioned within the tissue of the anchor structure. The embodiments further comprise inserting a first support oral stud into a first location of a support structure, the first support oral stud including a support stud shaft (or suture), a support anterior anchor, and a support posterior anchor, wherein the support stud shaft is positioned within tissue of the support structure. Further, the embodiments comprise connecting, using at least one first connector, the target anterior anchor with the support anterior anchor.

Described are implants for placing in a body, tools for delivering the implants, and systems and methods for using implants and tools for placing in a body and more particularly to nasal implants, tools for delivering nasal implants, and systems and methods for using such implants and tools. A tool may include a hand-held implant delivery device that holds, moves, orients, inserts, or shapes an implant. An implant may be a biodegradable, longitudinal implant that may be oriented for implantation by an implant delivery device.

Systems and methods are provided for treating snoring or sleep apnea of a patient that include an implantable device and a retainer. The device includes an elongate filament sized for introduction into or through a patient's tongue and including a distal end and a proximal end, a connection member on the proximal end, and one or more securing elements on or adjacent the distal end. The retainer includes a body configured to be removably engaged with one or more teeth within a patient's mouth, and a connector port for removably engaging the connection member to support the patient's tongue relative to the retainer.

A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is described. The system may include a locking device having a size and shape selected to couple to skin along a jaw of a patient. The locking device may be configured to receive at least one of a needle or an introducer for insertion into a tongue of the patient for lead placement of a lead for OSA treatment, and lock at least a portion of the at least one of the needle or introducer in place to reduce movement of the needle or introducer within the tongue.

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.

Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.