The system and method for reducing or eliminating obstructive sleep apnea in patients with the use of a nasopharyngeal device. The nasopharyngeal device has an obturator including reversibly expandable projections located at a distal end and a guide portion on a proximal end. The reversibly expandable projections are adapted to maintain patency of the nasopharyngeal airway by advancing anteriorly the soft palate. The nasopharyngeal device also has a tube that has a proximal end, a distal end, and a passage through which at least a portion of the obturator may be inserted.
