Patent ID: 8056562

Claim:
A system for supporting a breathing passage of a patient, comprising: a cannula configured to be at least partially inserted into a breathing passage of a patient, the cannula comprising: an insertion end configured to be inserted through a nasal passageway of the breathing passage; a restriction end having a restriction end diameter, the restriction end diameter greater than a diameter of a nasal vestibule of the nasal passageway to prevent the cannula from passing completely through the nasal passageway; and a cross-section sufficient to support the breathing passage during sleep; and an insertion apparatus including: a nasal applicator operable to guide the cannula through the nasal applicator and into the nasal passageway, wherein the nasal applicator fits within the nasal passageway and includes a curve configured to guide the cannula within the nasal passageway; and a support frame coupled to the nasal applicator, the support frame configured to be releasably coupled to the patient to position the nasal applicator proximate to the nasal passageway.