Christopher D Thompson

US Patent:

7363926, Apr 29, 2008

Filed:

May 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/126649

Inventors:

D. Russell Pflueger - Monarch Beach CA, US
Christopher Paul Thompson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Quiescence Medical, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

A61F 5/56

US Classification:

128848, 12820024, 12820126, 128898, 128899, 623 2373, 602902

Abstract:

An apparatus and methods for treating sleep apnea and/or snoring are provided. The apparatus includes an appliance sized and structured to be placed in the pharyngeal region of a human or animal. The appliance, when so placed is effective in treating sleep apnea and/or snoring, for example in maintaining openness of an oropharyngeal region of a human or animal during natural sleep. Preferably, the appliance is non-circumferential in form and includes rounded, spaced apart end portions.

US Patent:

7381222, Jun 3, 2008

Filed:

Dec 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/748761

Inventors:

D. Russell Pflueger - Monarch Beach CA, US
Christopher Paul Thompson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Quiescence Medical, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

A61M 11/00

US Classification:

623 15, 606199, 128848

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for maintaining patency of a vessel or other body region is provided. The apparatus includes an appliance having a non-circumferential form and being effective in maintaining patency or openness, or causing to become patent or open, a body region in which the appliance is located. The appliance may be formed of a flexible metallic struts structured to be submucossally implanted into a wall of the vessel or other body region.

US Patent:

7647931, Jan 19, 2010

Filed:

Mar 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/052540

Inventors:

D. Russell Pflueger - Monarch Beach CA, US
Christopher Paul Thompson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Quiescence Medical, Inc. - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

A61M 11/00

US Classification:

128848, 606199

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for maintaining patency of a vessel or other body region is provided. The apparatus includes an appliance having a non-circumferential form and being effective in maintaining patency or openness, or causing to become patent or open, a body region in which the appliance is located. The appliance may be formed of a flexible metallic struts structured to be submucossally implanted into a wall of the vessel or other body region.

US Patent:

8104478, Jan 31, 2012

Filed:

Dec 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/541255

Inventors:

D. Russell Pflueger - San Juan Capistrano CA, US
Christopher Paul Thompson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Quiescence Medical, Inc. - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

A61M 16/00
A61F 5/56

US Classification:

128848, 12820025, 12820026, 12820524, 12820714, 128859, 606196, 606108

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea and/or snoring is provided. The apparatus includes an appliance sized and structured to be placed in the pharyngeal region of a human or animal and being effective in treating sleep apnea and/or snoring, for example in maintaining openness of an oropharyngeal region of a human or animal during natural sleep, advantageously while not interfering with normal functioning of the epiglottis. The appliance may be made of a super elastic material, for example, Nitinol, and may be submucossally implanted in the pharyngeal walls.

US Patent:

8146600, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Jul 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/774528

Inventors:

D. Russell Pflueger - Monarch Beach CA, US
Christopher Paul Thompson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Quiescence Medical, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

A61F 5/37
A61F 13/00
A61F 5/56
A61F 2/06
A61B 5/08
A61N 1/00

US Classification:

128848, 128846, 600529, 602902, 607 42, 623 12

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods are provided for treating sleep apnea, snoring, and the like using an implant within an oropharyngeal region adjacent an anterior longitudinal ligament. The implant includes an endless loop defining a curved central region between first and second regions in a horizontal plane. The central region is vertically narrow relative to the first and second regions, and the first and second regions are compressible vertically to allow the first region to be directed through or behind the ligament adjacent the oropharyngeal region such that the central region is disposed within or behind the ligament. The first region is resiliently expandable after passing through or behind the ligament to contact tissue adjacent the oropharyngeal region. The first and second regions are compressible into a “C” shape within the horizontal plane, yet biased to expand and apply a force to dilate the tissue adjacent the oropharyngeal region.

US Patent:

8578938, Nov 12, 2013

Filed:

Sep 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/557386

Inventors:

D. Russell Pflueger - San Juan Capistrano CA, US
Christopher Paul Thompson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Quiescence Medical, Inc. - Dana Point CA

International Classification:

A61M 16/00

US Classification:

128848, 12820024, 12820026, 12820714, 128859, 128860, 606108, 606196

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea and/or snoring is provided. The apparatus includes an appliance sized and structured to be placed in the pharyngeal region of a human or animal and being effective in treating sleep apnea and/or snoring, for example in maintaining openness of an oropharyngeal region of a human or animal during natural sleep, advantageously while not interfering with normal functioning of the epiglottis. The appliance may be made of a super elastic material, for example, Nitinol, and may be submucosally implanted in the pharyngeal walls.

US Patent:

7992566, Aug 9, 2011

Filed:

Jul 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/624915

Inventors:

D. Russell Pflueger - Monarch Beach CA, US
Christopher Paul Thompson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Quiescence Medical, Inc. - Monarch Beach CA

International Classification:

A61F 5/56
A61F 2/20
A61F 2/04
A61C 5/14
A61B 19/00
A61M 16/00
A61M 9/00
A61M 29/00
A62B 18/08

US Classification:

128848, 128859, 128860, 128861, 128897, 128898, 12820026, 12820024, 12820126, 12820629, 606196, 606198, 623 9, 623 2364, 623 237, 623902

Abstract:

An apparatus and methods for treating sleep apnea and/or snoring are provided. The apparatus includes an appliance sized and structured to be placed in the pharyngeal region of a human or animal. The appliance, when so placed is effective in treating sleep apnea and/or snoring, for example in maintaining openness of an oropharyngeal region of a human or animal during natural sleep. Preferably, the appliance is non-circumferential in form and includes rounded, spaced apart end portions.

US Patent:

20110290258, Dec 1, 2011

Filed:

Aug 5, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/204623

Inventors:

D. Russell Pflueger - Monarch Beach CA, US
Christopher Paul Thompson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

QUIESCENCE MEDICAL, INC. - Monarch Beach CA

International Classification:

A61F 5/56

US Classification:

128848

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea and/or snoring is provided. The apparatus includes an appliance sized and structured to be placed in the pharyngeal region of a human or animal and being effective in treating sleep apnea and/or snoring, for example in maintaining openness of an oropharyngeal region of a human or animal during natural sleep, advantageously while not interfering with normal functioning of the epiglottis. Preferably, the appliance is non-circumferential in form and includes rounded, spaced apart end portions.