초록 ▼

A system and device for maintaining and/or creating patency in airways is disclosed. The methods of using the system and device are also disclosed. The system includes a power source that energizes a electro-active polymer implant. The energized polymer implant provides stiffness and shape to the ai

A system and device for maintaining and/or creating patency in airways is disclosed. The methods of using the system and device are also disclosed. The system includes a power source that energizes a electro-active polymer implant. The energized polymer implant provides stiffness and shape to the airway, thereby minimizing collapse or deformation of the airway. A method of making the device is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A system for maintaining airway patency in a biological subject comprising: an implantable anode; an implantable cathode; an implantable patency element connected with the anode and the cathode, said implantable patency element being adapted and configured for implantation in a subject

We claim: 1. A system for maintaining airway patency in a biological subject comprising: an implantable anode; an implantable cathode; an implantable patency element connected with the anode and the cathode, said implantable patency element being adapted and configured for implantation in a subject's airway; an implantable transducer connected with the anode and the cathode; a removable transducer configured to transfer energy to the implantable transducer; and a removable power source connected with the removable transducer; wherein the implantable patency element comprises an implantable electroactive polymer configured to modulate a shape of the subject's airway when the implantable patency element is energized. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a removable pulse-width modulation circuit. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the removable transducer and the removable power source are in a mouthpiece. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the removable transducer and the removable power source are in a dermal patch. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable patency element comprises an ion exchange polymer metal composite material. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the implantable patency element comprises an ionomer and a conductive material. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprising perfluorinated polymer. 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 9. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polyfluorosulfonic acid. 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises perfluorosulfonate. 11. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polyvinylidene fluoride. 12. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises hydrophilic polyvinylidene fluoride. 13. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polyethylene. 14. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polypropylene. 15. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polystyrene. 16. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polyaniline. 17. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polyacrylonitrile. 18. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises cellophane. 19. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises cellulose. 20. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises regenerated cellulose. 21. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises cellulose acetate. 22. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polysulfone. 23. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polyurethane. 24. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polyvinyl alcohol. 25. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polyvinyl acetate. 26. The system of claim 6, wherein the ionomer comprises polyvinyl pyrrolidone. 27. The system of claim 6, wherein the conductive material comprises platinum. 28. The system of claim 6, wherein the conductive material comprises gold. 29. The system of claim 6, wherein the conductive material comprises silver. 30. The system of claim 6, wherein the conductive material comprises palladium. 31. The system of claim 6, wherein the conductive material comprises copper. 32. The system of claim 6, wherein the conductive material comprises carbon. 33. The system of claim 1, further comprising a coating. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the coating is on an implantable patency element and/or an implantable transducer and/or an implantable lead wire connecting the patency element and the implantable transducer. 35. The system of claim 33, wherein the coating is only on the implantable patency element. 36. The system of claim 33, wherein the coating comprises a dielectric coating. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the dielectric coating comprises silicone. 38. The system of claim 36, wherein the dielectric coating comprises polyurethane. 39. The system of claim 36, wherein the dielectric coating comprises polyimide. 40. The system of claim 36, wherein the dielectric coating comprises nylon. 41. The system of claim 36, wherein the dielectric coating comprises polyester. 42. The system of claim 36, wherein the dielectric coating comprises polymethylmethacrylate. 43. The system of claim 36, wherein the dielectric coating comprises polyethylmethacrylate. 44. The system of claim 36, wherein the dielectric coating comprises neoprene. 45. The system of claim 36, wherein the dielectric coating comprises styrene butadiene styrene. 46. The system of claim 33, wherein the dielectric coating comprises polyvinyl acetate. 47. The system of claim 33, wherein the coating comprises a tissue growth promoting material. 48. The system of claim 47, wherein the tissue growth promoting material comprises poly-L lysine. 49. The system of claim 47, wherein the tissue growth promoting material comprises poly-D lysine. 50. The system of claim 47, wherein the tissue growth promoting material comprises polyethylene glycol. 51. The system of claim 47, wherein the tissue growth promoting material comprises polyvinyl alcohol. 52. The system of claim 47, wherein the tissue growth promoting material comprises polyvinyl acetate. 53. The system of claim 47, wherein the tissue growth promoting material comprises hyaluronic acid. 54. The system of claim 47, wherein the tissue growth promoting material comprises methylmethacrylate. 55. The system of claim 33, wherein the coating comprises a tissue growth preventing material. 56. The system of claim 55, wherein the tissue growth preventing material comprises polypropylene. 57. The system of claim 55, wherein the tissue growth preventing material comprises polyethylene. 58. The system of claim 55, wherein the tissue growth preventing material comprises polyvinylidene fluoride. 59. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery charger.