Inspire® Sleep Apnea Therapy

Do you use a CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea, but you’re not getting the relief you need? Although a CPAP machine is often the first treatment used to treat sleep apnea, it doesn’t always work for everyone.

However, a treatment like Inspire therapy could help change your life and give you the relief you’ve been looking for to treat your sleep apnea. The ENT specialists at Specialty Care Institute are excited to offer this treatment to our patients.

What is Inspire Therapy?

Inspire is a revolutionary FDA-approved treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Unlike external devices like a CPAP machine, Inspire therapy works inside your body.

It helps keep your airways open while you’re sleeping. It’s a small, implantable device that works in tandem with your natural breathing patterns and is also silent and comfortable for those sleeping around you.

How Does Inspire Therapy Work?

Inspire therapy is simple and consists of three components:

1. You’ll have a small generator implanted in your upper chest
2. A breathing sensor lead is placed between your ribs
3. A stimulation lead is connected to the hypoglossal nerve found under your chin

Once you’re ready to sleep and go to bed, you’ll activate the Inspire device using a small remote control. While you’re sleeping, Inspire will monitor your breathing patterns.

If it detects you’re about to take a breath, it will gently stimulate your hypoglossal nerve. The hypoglossal nerve controls your tongue’s movements.

Stimulating the hypoglossal nerve moves your tongue and other soft tissues that may be blocking your airways, helping you to breathe freely without obstructions or disruptions throughout the evening.

Who is a Good Candidate for Inspire Therapy?

You may be a good candidate for Inspire therapy if:

• You suffer from moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea
• You’re at least 18 years old
• You have a BMI of 32 or less
• You’ve previously tried a CPAP machine but have found it ineffective or have been unable to tolerate it

The path to Inspire therapy begins with a comprehensive evaluation by one of the sleep specialists at the Specialty Care Institute. During this evaluation, we’ll review your medical history and have you undergo a physical examination and possibly a sleep endoscopy. A sleep endoscopy will allow us to assess your airway dynamics while you’re asleep.

What to Expect During the Inspire Procedure and Living with Inspire

When Inspire is implanted, you’ll undergo an outpatient procedure that takes about 2 hours to complete. Most patients go home the same day and can return to non-strenuous activities within a few days of undergoing Inspire.

After about a month, your Inspire system will be activated to ensure the surgical site has healed. We’ll go over personalized training to ensure you know how to use your remote control and can adjust the Inspire device to your necessary comfort level.

Most patients report significant improvements in their sleep quality and ability to function throughout the day after Inspire. This includes:

• Reduced snoring
• Reduction in sleep apnea events
• Improvement in sleep quality
• More alert during the day with more energy
• Better quality of life

Are you ready to find a better solution? Find out if you could be a good candidate for Inspire therapy by requesting an appointment at Specialty Care Institute at one of our locations in Barrington, Elgin, Hoffman Estates, or Arlington Heights, IL!