Inspire
Inspire therapy is the only FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) therapy that operates comfortably inside your body. The compact implant administers gentle pulses to your airway muscles, ensuring your airway remains open for regular breathing and restful sleep.
How Does it Work?
Typically, our airway muscles and tongue relax when we are sleeping. For people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, the tongue actually blocks the airway in its relaxed position. Therefore, less oxygen gets to your brain which will trigger you to wake up and take a gasping breath. This cycle repeats itself, disrupting the quality of sleep. The Inspire implant emits gentle pulses that reposition your tongue with each breath, ensuring an open airway as you enjoy restful sleep. There is no need for a mask or hose.
Each implant is equipped with a small handheld remote. When you are ready for sleep, you simply turn on your therapy without a mask or hose needed. The Inspire app will track your sleep so you can observe your progress.
How Do I Know If I am a Candidate for Inspire?
During the initial assessment of your overall sleep apnea history and general health, our providers will determine if the Inspire OSA therapy is appropriate for you. Typically, suitable candidates are those who:
- Have a diagnosis of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ranging from 20-65 without central or mixed apneas
- Find CPAP treatment disruptive, uncomfortable or are unable to tolerate it
- Are close to a healthy body weight, with a body mass index below 40
- Are 18 years of age or older
Before starting treatment, patients are also encouraged to assess their diet and lifestyle to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can worsen OSA, so weight loss can improve treatment outcomes. In addition, a Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) will be performed to examine the upper airway to establish the areas of obstruction and determine candidacy prior to the Inspire procedure.
What Happens During Surgery?
During a 60- to 90-minute, outpatient procedure, the small Inspire implant is placed near your collarbone. Normally, patients recover quite quickly, resuming non-strenuous activities within a few days. And, most only require over-the-counter pain medication. The FDA-approved two-incision approach will reduce the time in the operating room, decrease postoperative pain, and allow for faster healing and recovery.
At SoCal Breathe Free, our professional team of ENT experts will follow up during each step of the process. We will adjust your Inspire implant as necessary to ensure your OSA is under control and you are getting the adequate sleep you deserve. Full recovery takes around 2 weeks, and the device is activated 4 to 6 weeks after implantation. A follow-up sleep study can also be utilized to verify that the Inspire therapy is helping you meet your sleep goals.
Let SoCal Breathe Free Help Determine if Inspire is Right for You
At SoCal Breathe Free, we are a leader in treating obstructive sleep apnea with Inspire therapy. With our expertise and advanced treatments, we offer comprehensive care to help individuals overcome sleep disorders and improve their quality of life. Our commitment to innovation and personalized approaches ensures that patients receive the best possible care for their OSA needs.