CPC A61F 5/566 (2013.01) [A61B 17/0401 (2013.01); A61B 17/24 (2013.01); A61M 25/10 (2013.01); A61N 1/05 (2013.01); A61N 1/0548 (2013.01); A61N 1/3601 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0419 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0464 (2013.01)] | 11 Claims |
1. An implantable tissue retractor for treatment of a breathing disorder, the implantable tissue retractor comprising:
a linear shaft adapted to be disposed in a soft tissue located in a patient's oral cavity or pharynx;
a retractor member connected at or near a first end of the shaft; and
an anchor member connected at or near a second end of the shaft,
wherein the implantable tissue retractor is configured to be totally implanted within the soft tissue and engage only the soft tissue,
wherein the implantable tissue retractor is adapted to exert a counterforce on the soft tissue sufficient to prevent a deformation of at least a portion of the soft tissue while allowing the shaft to stretch when subjected to a predetermined force exerted on the implantable tissue retractor by the soft tissue, and
the counterforce is between 0.1 grams per cm2 and 100 grams per cm2.
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