Obstructive inspire sleep apnea, or OSA, causes the throat muscles to relax and block the airway. Patients with untreated OSA experience daytime sleepiness, snoring and are at higher risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and liver problems.
Inspire is the only FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea treatment that treats the root cause of the problem with the push of a button. The device is implanted with 2 small incisions during a same-day outpatient procedure.
What is Inspire?
If you suffer from sleep apnea, the repeated interruptions in your breathing while sleeping can cause daytime drowsiness and may increase your risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Methodist Hospitals is one of the first hospitals in New Mexico to offer Inspire therapy, a mask-free alternative for people who cannot tolerate or do not respond well to CPAP.
The implanted device monitors your breathing while you sleep and, based on your unique breathing pattern, delivers mild stimulation to the nerve that controls muscles in your tongue and throat. The gentle pulsations prevent your tongue from falling into the airway and help keep the airway open while you sleep, so you can breathe normally and comfortably.
Ideal candidates for Inspire have a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea by polysomnography or other diagnostic tests and have a body mass index (BMI) below 33 kg/m2. The procedure involves surgically implanting the device components, including the pulse generator, in your chest. A handheld remote controls the device, which you turn on before bed and off upon waking.
How Does Inspire Work?
The Inspire system, surgically inserted during a same-day outpatient procedure, works inside the body with your natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea. It provides mild stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve that controls movement of your tongue and other key airway muscles, keeping them open during sleep so you can breathe normally.
This innovative therapy treats sleep apnea and reduces snoring in about 70% to 80% of eligible patients. It has been shown to reduce daytime sleepiness, irritability and improve quality of life. Inspire also decreases the risk for heart disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Your doctor will test you over the course of several weeks to determine how much stimulation is optimal for your unique needs. Once activated, you can turn Inspire on before sleep and off in the morning using a small handheld remote control. Inspire is powered by a battery that lasts 7-10 years, similar to a pacemaker. It does not restrict your activities, but ask your sleep apnea doctor if you plan to engage in strenuous activities or jobs that require a large range of motion.
What Can Inspire Do for Me?
The Inspire system is a revolutionary treatment for sleep apnea that works inside the body to keep your airway open. This is accomplished by implanting a generator, breathing sensor, and stimulation lead. This device is powered by a small battery and is controlled with a remote. You can turn the device on before going to bed, turn it off when you wake up, increase and decrease stimulation strength, and pause the therapy if necessary.
The FDA has approved Inspire for people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who have tried and cannot tolerate CPAP therapy or are not a candidate for other treatment options. Inspire is also covered by most commercial insurances and Medicare as long as the patient meets certain requirements.
Talk with one of our sleep specialists to see if Inspire is right for you. You can start sleeping better and feeling more energetic with a quick outpatient procedure. This will set you on the path to a better life.
Will Inspire Work for Me?
Inspire is the only FDA-approved snoring and sleep apnea treatment that works inside the body and can be turned on and off with the click of a remote. It works with a patient’s natural breathing processes to open their airway without the use of a mask or hose.
Patients who are considered candidates for Inspire must have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and demonstrate poor tolerance to CPAP therapy. Those who have other health problems, like diabetes or heart disease, should also be evaluated before having Inspire implanted.
During a short outpatient procedure, surgeons at VCU Health insert Inspire under the skin of the neck and chest through two small incisions. Most patients return home the same day and can take over-the-counter medications to manage any pain or discomfort. During sleep, the device is activated by a patient through a handheld remote before going to bed and turned off when they wake up. The stimulation does not feel painful, but patients sometimes experience a tingling sensation and a dry mouth.