What is obstructive sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which the upper airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep. These interruptions can fragment sleep and make it difficult to get the restorative rest your body needs.
CPAP is a common first treatment for OSA. When CPAP is difficult to tolerate or does not provide consistent benefit, an ENT evaluation can help determine whether other treatment options, including Inspire® therapy, may be appropriate.
How Inspire® therapy works
Inspire® is an implantable upper airway stimulation system placed during an outpatient procedure. While you sleep, the system senses your breathing and delivers gentle stimulation to the nerve that controls tongue movement, helping move the tongue forward and keep the airway open.
A small handheld remote is used to turn therapy on at bedtime and off when you wake. Because the system works inside the body, there is no CPAP mask or hose to wear during sleep. Therapy settings are personalized over time based on comfort and treatment response.
The Inspire implant syncs with your breathing to deliver gentle pulses to your airway muscles to keep your airway open.
This enables you to breathe regularly and sleep soundly. No mask or hose needed.
Who may be a candidate for Inspire® therapy?
Inspire® is not appropriate for every person with sleep apnea. Adults may be considered if they have moderate to severe OSA and have tried positive airway pressure therapy, such as CPAP, without consistent benefit or have been unable to tolerate it.
Eligibility is individualized and can depend on sleep study results, overall health, body mass index (BMI), airway anatomy and the pattern of airway collapse. An Inspire®-trained ENT physician will review these factors and may recommend a sleep endoscopy to determine whether the therapy is a good fit. Insurance requirements may also differ, so coverage and authorization are confirmed as part of the evaluation process.
What to expect from evaluation through follow-up
- Inspire® evaluation
Meet with a Proliance ENT physician to review your sleep apnea history, CPAP experience, symptoms and prior testing. - Candidacy testing
Your physician reviews your sleep study and other clinical factors. A sleep endoscopy may be used to evaluate the location and pattern of airway collapse. - Insurance authorization and scheduling
If you are an appropriate candidate, the care team works through authorization requirements and schedules the outpatient implantation procedure. - Activation and gradual adjustment
After the surgical area has healed, therapy is activated. Settings are increased gradually so you can become comfortable with stimulation while your treatment is personalized. - Follow-up
Your care team monitors progress, adjusts settings when needed and may use follow-up sleep testing to confirm that treatment goals are being met.
Inspire® Insights from Proliance ENT Surgeons
What do our surgeons say about Inspire?
We have several surgeons at Proliance that specialize in Inspire Therapy. Read about what they have to say below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inspire® Therapy
Is Inspire® therapy covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan and individual eligibility. Medicare, Veterans Affairs, and many commercial insurance plans may cover Inspire® therapy for qualifying patients. The care team can help confirm authorization requirements before surgery.
What does Inspire® stimulation feel like?
The stimulation is generally described as a mild muscle contraction. Settings are adjusted gradually and personalized for comfort while helping move the tongue forward during sleep.
How long is recovery after the procedure?
Recovery varies by patient. Many people are able to resume non-strenuous activities within several days, while their physician provides individualized instructions for activity and incision care.
Can I have an MRI with an Inspire® implant?
MRI eligibility depends on the Inspire® device model and the type of scan. Patients should tell the imaging team that they have an implanted device and confirm the required MRI conditions with their Inspire®-trained physician.
Ready to learn whether Inspire® may be right for you?
If CPAP has been difficult to use or has not provided consistent benefit, an evaluation with a Proliance ENT physician can help you understand your treatment options.
