Patent ID: 7277749

Claim:
A method of treating snoring comprising: a) inserting an imaging device into the airway passage of a patient; b) monitoring, with the imaging device, the airway passage during sleep to identify at least one anatomical structure in the airway passage that vibrates during snoring; c) introducing, with an injection tool, at least one microstimulator in the proximity of the at least one anatomical structure identified in step b), wherein the injection tool penetrates tissue in the proximity of the identified anatomical structure; d) energizing the microstimulator to deliver a test electrical stimulation to the anatomical structure to cause at least one muscle to contract and reduce the vibration of the anatomical structure, wherein the microstimulator is energized while held within the lumen of the injection tool; e) observing, with the imaging device, whether the test stimulation causes a decrease in vibration of the anatomical structure; and f) releasing, if a decrease in vibration of the anatomical structure is observed, the microstimulator from the injection device into the anatomical structure.