Patent ID: 7909037

Claim:
An implant for stabilizing the tongue, comprising: a first anchoring portion for securing a first end of the implant with the mandibula; a second anchoring portion configured to connect the implant with the base of the tongue; a control portion disposed between and connecting the first anchoring portion with the second anchoring portion, the control portion configured to selectively reduce a distance between the first and second anchoring portions; a flexible portion having a substantially tubular-shaped body with proximal and distal ends and an internal passage spanning there between, the flexible portion connected at its proximal end with the control portion and at its distal end with the second anchoring portion, said flexible portion having three-dimensional flexibility in a first state and said flexible portion having a lesser three-dimensional flexibility in a second state, said flexible portion being selectively switchable between said first and second state by said control portion, wherein a portion of the control portion is connected with the second anchoring portion and is routed through the internal passage of the flexible portion.