Airway Patency Maintenance Systems and Methods

The inventive concept discloses novel systems and methods for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sleep apnea by utilizing a collapsible and expandable stent adapted to maintain airway patency, along with a loading device for collapsing the stent in preparation for delivery and implantation into the airway.

The original patent focused on devices and methods for implanting devices within a heart chamber. However, there exists a need for innovative solutions to address the growing prevalence of COPD and sleep apnea. The inventive concept addresses this need by applying the core technology of the original patent to the field of respiratory medicine, providing a novel approach to maintaining airway patency.

The inventive concept comprises a stent adapted to maintain airway patency, which is collapsible and expandable. The stent is loaded into a loading device, featuring a proximal decreasing diameter section and a constant diameter section, for collapsing the stent in preparation for delivery and implantation into the airway. The loading device ensures smooth and controlled translation of the stent into the airway, allowing for precise placement and minimally invasive treatment. The inventive concept further encompasses methods for treating COPD and sleep apnea using the stent and loading device, including applying pressure to distally translate the stent into the lumen of the constant diameter section to completely collapse the stent therein.

The inventive concept's novelty lies in its application of the original patent's core technology to the field of respiratory medicine, addressing a previously unconsidered problem. The inventive step resides in the specific adaptation of the stent and loading device to maintain airway patency, providing a unique solution for treating COPD and sleep apnea.

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include variations in stent design, material selection, or loading device geometry to accommodate different airway anatomies or patient populations. Additional variations may involve integrating sensors, actuators, or other technologies to enhance stent placement, monitoring, or adjustment.

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the respiratory medicine market, addressing the growing need for innovative treatments for COPD and sleep apnea. The target market includes medical device manufacturers, hospitals, and healthcare providers, with potential for expansion into adjacent markets, such as asthma or other respiratory disorders.