Patent Application - System for adjustable tissue anchors > Claims

1. An implantable device for manipulating soft tissue, comprising: at least one tissue engaging structure; an elongate member attached to the at least one tissue anchor; and a securing assembly comprising a bony attachment structure and a movable securing member, wherein the movable securing member is adapted to be movable relative to the bony attachment structure while the elongate member is secured to the movable securing member.
- 2. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the tissue engaging structure is an anchor adapted to pierce the soft tissue.
  - 6. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 2, wherein the movable securing member is a rotatable hub.
    - 7. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 6, wherein the rotatable hub is a spool.
- 3. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the movable securing member is rotatable.
- 4. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the movable securing member is slidable.
- 5. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the movable securing member is pivotable.
- 8. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the bony attachment structure is adapted for attachment to the mandible.
  - 9. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 8, wherein the bony attachment structure is adapted for insertion into the mandible.
- 10. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the bony attachment structure has a cylindrical configuration and a threaded outer surface.
- 11. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the securing assembly further comprises a moving interface component adapted to move the movable securing member.
  - 12. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 11, wherein the bony attachment structure comprises an internal sealable cavity and the movable securing member comprises a fluid seal adapted to provide a sliding seal within the internal sealable cavity of the bony attachment structure.
    - 13. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 12, wherein the bony attachment structure further comprises a pierceable membrane for accessing the internal sealable cavity.
  - 14. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 11, wherein the bony attachment structure comprises a threaded cylindrical internal cavity and the movable securing member comprises a cylinder having outer threads complementary to the threaded cylindrical internal cavity of the bony attachment structure and a rotatably attached securing interface.
    - 15. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 14, wherein the bony attachment structure further comprises a longitudinal groove and the rotatably attached securing interface comprises a protrusion having a complementary configuration to the longitudinal groove of the bony attachment structure.
  - 16. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 11, wherein the bony attachment structure comprises an internal friction cavity and the movable securing member comprises a friction surface configured to provide a frictional fit within the internal friction cavity of the bony attachment structure.
    - 17. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 16, wherein the movable securing member is adapted to provide a sliding frictional fit within the internal friction cavity of the bony attachment structure.
    - 18. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 16, wherein the movable securing member further comprises a manipulation interface adapted to reversibly engage a manipulation tool.
  - 19. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 11, wherein the bony attachment structure comprises an internal tapered cavity and the movable securing member comprises a base with at least two radially inwardly deflectable prongs adapted to engage the elongate member.
20. An implantable device for manipulating soft tissue, comprising: at least one tissue anchor; an elongate member attached to the at least one tissue anchor; and a securing assembly comprising a bony attachment structure and a rotational securing structure.
- 21. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 20, wherein the rotational securing structure is a spool.
22. A device for manipulating the tongue, comprising a variable pitch spiral having a first portion with a first pitch and a second portion with a second pitch, the spiral comprising a biocompatible material dimensioned to fit within a tongue.
- 23. The device for manipulating the tongue as in claim 22, wherein the first portion has a wide pitch and the second portion has a narrow pitch.
- 24. The device for manipulating the tongue as in claim 22, wherein the first portion has a narrow pitch and the second portion has a wide pitch.
25. An implantable device for manipulating soft tissue, comprising: at least one tissue anchor; a securing assembly comprising a bony attachment structure; an elongate member attached to the at least one tissue anchor and having a length between the at least one tissue anchor and the securing assembly; and a means for adjusting the length of the elongate member.
- 26. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 25, wherein the securing assembly further comprises the means for adjusting the length of the elongate member.