Patent ID: 8707959

Claim:
An implant system comprising: at least one implant structure sized and configured for surgical implantation in, on, or near an extrinsic muscle region affecting movement and/or shape of a tongue, and means for stabilizing the position of the implant structure relative to the extrinsic muscle region to maintain the tongue in a desired orientation, wherein the means for stabilizing is adapted to be surgically implemented, wherein the means for stabilizing comprises at least one anchoring component sized and configured to couple the implant structure to a mandible, and wherein the implant structure comprises one or more of: a spring member extending within the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue, an elastomeric structure extending within the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue, a bracing member that spans the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue, a bracing member sized and configured to deflect the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue, a hooking member extending through the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue, a hooking member overlaying, at least in part, the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue, or a hooking member sized and configured to deflect the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.