Embodiments include a system comprising a carrier and a cannula assembly. The carrier includes a proximal end and a distal end, and the proximal end is configured to removeably couple to a remote console. The cannula assembly, which is configured to removeably couple to the distal end of the carrier, is configured for rotational fractional resection (RFR) and includes at least one cannula rotatably coupled to the carrier and enclosed in a depth guide configured to control an insertion depth of the at least one cannula. The depth guide includes a vacuum chamber configured to form vacuum to evacuate resected tissue generated by the RFR.

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.

A lateral pharyngeal wall tractor including a bone fixer, a traction mechanism and a lateral pharyngeal wall fixer; wherein the lateral pharyngeal wall fixer is configured to be fixed on an M. palatopharyngeus or other submucous tissues of a lateral pharyngeal wall; the bone fixer is configured to be fixed on a processus alveolaris or a hamulus pterygoideus or a processus pterygoideus as a supporting point; one end of the traction mechanism is connected to the bone fixer, the other end is connected to the lateral pharyngeal wall fixer; the elastic traction force produced by the traction mechanism is greater than the collapse force of the lateral pharyngeal wall which is produced by negative pressure during inspiration, but is less than the contraction force which is produced by the muscle of the lateral pharyngeal wall during deglutition.

Disclosed embodiments include devices and methods for shaping, bending, and/or volumetrically reducing rigid cartilaginous structures, such as hyaline cartilage in the septum. In the case of septal cartilage, shaping, bending, or reducing the cartilage would be useful for reducing nasal obstruction or to improve the cosmetic appearance of the nose.

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.

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.

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.

Disclosed herein are embodiments and methods of use for a surgical excision device which contains a disposable handheld instrument with a blade for severing a uvula and an attached net for capturing and removing the uvula.

Embodiments of the invention include methods and devices to prevent or treat upper airway disorders in mammals related to impaired airflow. One aspect of this invention is a tongue retractor (LTR) that indirectly retracts tongue base by its implant site in the frenulum area. This simplifies the insertion, adjustment and maintenance of the device. Another aspect of this invention describes a highly localized and fully implantable LTR that is inserted into the base of tongue to stiffen lax surface mucosa or mechanically couple it to internal tongue structures. Another aspect of this invention is an LTR inserted in or around the pharyngoglossal fold. This site allows retraction and stiffening of tongue base tissue as well as the soft palate and lateral pharyngeal wall.

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.