Inspire Sleep Therapy

Inspire Sleep Therapy at Reid Health

If CPAP wasn’t comfortable or effective for you, Inspire Sleep Therapy may offer a different solution for obstructive sleep apnea. This FDA-approved treatment works inside your body, no mask, no hose. At Reid Health Sleep Center, our board-certified sleep specialists evaluate whether Inspire is right for you and guide you through every step of the process. 

What is Inspire Sleep Therapy

Inspire is an upper airway stimulation device implanted in your chest that helps keep your airway open during sleep. It senses when you breathe in and delivers gentle pulses to the hypoglossal nerve, which moves the tongue forward to prevent obstruction. Because the device works internally, you don’t need to wear a mask or use a bulky machine during sleep. Patients use a handheld remote each night to activate the therapy.  

Who qualifies for Inspire Sleep Therapy

Not everyone is a candidate, but many people who struggle with CPAP may qualify. Key eligibility criteria often include:

• At least 18 years of age
• Diagnosed moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea
• Trouble using or getting benefit from CPAP therapy
• Body mass index (BMI) within a certain range: commercially insured patients have a BMI of 40% or below, Medicare patients have a BMI of 34.9% or below
• No predominant central or mixed sleep apnea
• Favorable airway anatomy upon evaluation: Inspire isn't for patients with a complete collapse of the soft palate or those with central and mixed apneas that make up 25% more of their AHI 

Your sleep specialist will review your sleep study, health history, and airway anatomy to confirm eligibility. 

Inspire patient journey at Reid Health

Step 1: Initial appointment with Reid ENT

The first step is to meet with Reid ENT to determine if Inspire is right for you. This initial consult will include a review of previously conducted sleep studies with an  ENT specialist. If a sleep study hasn't been conducted in more than two years, insurance might require an additional study. This will be discussed during your consultation. The consultation also serves as an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have about the process or procedure.

Step 2: Airway exam

After determining whether you're a good candidate for Inspire, your specialist will arrange for you to have an airway exam. This exam is routine and lasts about 20 minutes. During the exam, a provider will look inside your airway with a small camera to ensure Inspire will be the right treatment for you.

Step 3: The day of your procedure

You'll coordinate your procedure with  Reid Outpatient Surgery and Endoscopy (ROSE). They'll help you schedule your procedure and ensure you feel prepared and have all your questions answered. The outpatient procedure is minimally invasive, requiring only two small incisions at the base of the chin and the chest. The procedure only takes about two hours, and patients often leave the same day. Patients are even able to return to non-strenuous activity after seven days.

Step 4: The device is activated

About a month after your procedure, you'll return to your doctor's office where you'll receive the Inspire Sleep Remote and further instructions on how to activate the device. The device will be customized to match your specific sleep schedule. You'll use the monitor to determine if the settings are the right fit for you.

Step 5: Follow-up sleep study

A follow-up sleep study will be conducted to determine if any adjustments are needed to your device settings.