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.

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 connection tool for a tongue manipulation system comprising: a connector configured to be coupled to a tongue advancer tether (801); a connection tool body (1313) and separable removal cannula part (1315) configured to follow a tongue advancer tether line (801) in order to enable a removal sleeve (1335) located at least partially within the separable removal cannula part (1315) to contact the tongue advancer (305), the separable removal cannula part (1315) being configured to be separated from the connection tool body (1313) following the removal sleeve (1335) contacting the tongue advancer (305) and to expose a proximal end of the removal sleeve (1335).

A glossoplasty implant tension relief system for treating an airway of a patient has a first portion configured to engage a mandible of the subject. The system also has a second portion configured to engage a tongue of the subject to retain at least a portion of the tongue. The system includes a connecting portion configured to connect the first portion and the second portion. The connecting portion is constructed and arranged to provide tension between the first portion and the second portion. The connecting portion includes an i) inelastic portion and ii) an elastic portion configured to provide elasticity between the first portion and the second 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.

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 tongue advancer assembly (305) for a tongue manipulation system, the tongue advancer assembly (305) comprising: a core mount (703) comprising a connection rod coupling configured to couple the tongue advancer assembly to a distal end of a connection rod (303); and a tongue advancer (701) configured to be coupled to the core mount (703).

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.

The Surgical Lingual Retractor Plus device is unique because there are not retractors similar to it, either due to its simplification that allows to retract tissue and protect anatomical structures at the same time, it can fulfill the function of suction of fluids and illumination of the surgical area to be treated by the dental professional or other medical professionals. The protection that it provides to the tissues is contemplated by the fact that it is a device made of stainless steel, providing protection against cutting and high-speed rotating instruments. This device will have a grip component, a retraction component and a protection component connected to a suction and lighting system, all with the purpose of being able to perform all the functions at the same time during the surgery, once simplifies the psychomotor actions by the operator (dental or medical professionals).

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.