Patent ID: 7954494
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A device with actively moving members that hold or move the tongue comprising: one or more actively moving and tongue-engaging members, wherein: these moving tongue-engaging members are external to the tongue but hold or move the tongue using friction, compression, tension, pushing, pulling, adhesion, peristaltic motion, or a combination thereof; and wherein the moving tongue-engaging members are sequentially-inflated pneumatic or hydraulic members that engage the tongue, with one set of members above the tongue and one set below the tongue, holding or moving the tongue between them with peristaltic motion; and one or more motion-creating mechanisms, wherein these motion-creating mechanisms actively move the tongue-engaging moving members while a person is sleeping so that the tongue-engaging moving members hold or move the tongue, thereby reducing obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, or both.