The present invention provides devices and methods for creating and/or maintaining patency of the upper airway passage. The device is configured to fit under the chin of a subject at an external location corresponding approximately with the subject's internal soft tissue associated with the neck's anterior triangle. The device includes a flexible self-supporting chamber structure with multi-radius geometry including a particular chamber height range relative to the chamber base span to optimize the chamber's ability to maintain shape when a therapeutic level of negative pressure is applied within the therapy chamber.