A system for treating sleep-related breathing disorders. In one
embodiment, the system includes a first magnetically susceptible material
attached to a left lateral pharyngeal wall and a second magnetically
susceptible material attached to a right lateral pharyngeal wall. The
second magnetically susceptible material is positioned opposite the first
magnetically susceptible material across an upper airway. The system
further includes a first magnet disposed outside the body and lateral to
the first magnetically susceptible material, and a second magnet disposed
outside the body and lateral to the second magnetically susceptible
material.