You have sleep apnea, and have not had success with your CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure). You might be a candidate for Inspire, an implantable system you control with a handheld remote, which keeps the airway open during sleep — allowing you to breathe normally and sleep peacefully without a mask, hose or machine.
Washington University otolaryngologist Ryan Jackson, MD, head and neck surgeon explains, “Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles and soft tissues of the throat relax during sleep, blocking the airway.
CPAP is the mainstay of treatment for sleep apnea — where the individual receives positive pressure through a mask to help relieve any obstruction that he or she may have while breathing and sleeping. Unfortunately, many patients don’t tolerate wearing that mask every night. There is now an exciting new device for surgical treatment of sleep apnea.”
This new option is a device, like a pacemaker, that is surgically implanted into the chest and connected to a nerve that moves the tongue. It is paced, based on the patient’s breathing. At night the patient turns on this machine with a small remote before going to sleep. There is a 30-minute delay designed to kick in after the patient is asleep. Every time the patient breathes in, the implant sends a signal to stimulate the back of the tongue, moving it forward to increase the space in the back of the throat – allowing the patient to breathe throughout the night.”
This implant device is for people who:
- Have been diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Struggle with or cannot get consistent benefit from CPAP treatment
- Are not significantly overweight
- Are adults
Dr. Jackson adds, “The outpatient procedure has been life-changing for 90-95% of patients who were cured of their sleep apnea within one to two months of receiving the implant.”
For more information, or to make an appointment with Dr. Jackson, please call 314-362-7509.
Center for Advanced Medicine
4921 Parkview Place, Suite 11A
St. Louis, MO, 63110
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital – Medical Building 4
1044 North Mason Road, Suite L20
Creve Coeur, MO 63141