If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and CPAP therapy has not worked for you, you might be a candidate for the Inspire implant. The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona is one of the select facilities that works with Inspire implants and where you will find unparalleled staffing levels including three clinical psychologists on site. OSA is one of the most common sleep disorders, affecting adults and children around the globe. CPAP therapy remains the standard management tool for OSA, but it simply doesn’t work for every patient.
If you have OSA (or suspect you do) and CPAP is not effective for you, the Inspire implant may be an option. This alternative device is surgically implanted in the upper chest to monitor breathing. When breathing is not sufficient, it stimulates contraction of muscles to keep the respiratory airway open and unobstructed while you sleep. The Inspire implant has always been a relatively small device requiring minor surgery (which The Insomnia and Sleep Institute will help you schedule), but now the FDA has approved a technique for implantation that is even less invasive.
Easier to Inspire
The latest approved procedure by the FDA eliminates one previously necessary incision thanks to a revised placement for the device. Not only is there one less incision, which means a quicker recovery time and less scarring, but the procedure itself is also shortened by 20 percent. This is great news for anyone who is considering the Inspire implant but wants to avoid as much recovery and time in the OR as possible. According to the CEO of Inspire Medical Systems, Tim Herbert, “Delivering consistent positive patient outcomes remains Inspire’s number-one priority, and the receipt of FDA approval for this two-incision procedure represents further evidence of our commitment to the continuous improvement of Inspire therapy.”
Herbert goes on to explain, “The new procedure places the sensor in the intercostal muscles directly behind the neurostimulator pocket, thereby eliminating the need for a third incision lower on the chest and the additional requirement to tunnel the sensing lead under the skin to the neurostimulator. A number of ENT surgeons highly experienced with the current Inspire implant procedure initiated the development of this new surgical technique.”
What to Expect with the Inspire Implant
If you are a candidate for the Inspire implant, after not been successfully treated using CPAP therapy, the procedure is quite simple. The Insomnia and Sleep Institute will recommend you to a local surgeon who will implant the device in what is now a 100-minute surgery on average (it used to be 126 minutes). Next, you will return to The Insomnia and Sleep Institute to have the implant activated and go over proper usage. The implant eliminates any need for external machinery and technology, and you can trust that your breathing will remain uninterrupted when sleeping thanks to the implant keeping the airway from getting blocked.
The FDA says that moving the location of the implant and the latest tunneling process means minimal risk of any injury to the chest or breast wall—which was already a rarity in the older Inspire implant placement method. Additionally, there will be even less post-op pain and discomfort. The two-incision procedure is available right now, so if you have been on an OSA management journey and have been thinking about an Inspire implant, right now is the best time to work with a sleep specialist. Do you have untreated OSA or think you do? It’s still required to try CPAP first, but know that an Inspire implant may be in your future.
Getting OSA Under Control
If you have OSA, it is paramount to seek treatment immediately. Every night you get poor quality sleep is directly affecting your overall health, with a recent study showing that those who treat OSA have a 39% increase in life longevity. OSA might be common, but it is deadly in the long term and 100% treatable. Regain control of your health and your sleep by working with leading experts to get OSA managed.
The Insomnia and Sleep Institute is committed to treating every sleep disorder in adults and patients as young as two. The quicker you get a correct diagnosis, the faster testing and treatment can commence. Contact The Insomnia and Sleep Institute today by giving us a call or simply complete the online form for the fastest response.
