Âé¶¹´«Ã½

Technology

Silent nights

By Barry Fox

28 July 2001

Do you live with a snorer? Pi Medical of St Paul, Minnesota, may be able to
help (GB 2355936). The soft palate in the mouth keeps food out of our noses and
regulates airflow through the nose while we talk. But for one person in five, it
flaps and vibrates with every sleeping breath. Surgically trimming the soft
palate is painful and irreversible—and it isn’t always a permanent cure.
Pi’s treatment is to cut open the palate and insert plastic-coated titanium
spheres. This increases the mass of the palate and damps its vibration. If
necessary, more balls can…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with Âé¶¹´«Ã½ events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, today with our introductory offers

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop