Inspire Sleep Apnea Implant is a medical device implanted in the body for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a disease caused by a recurrent episode of sleep apnea. This is the case when the breathing stops for more than 10 seconds, during which the oxygen saturation in the blood is reduced by more than 4%.

OSA syndrome occurs during sleep, causing obstruction of the airways when the upper respiratory muscles are slack. This causes blood oxygenation to worsen and cause a brief unconscious wake-up event throughout the night. Unhealthy sleep patterns can put stress on the body, leading to elevated blood pressure and the development of serious diseases. Diseases caused by OSA can be physical illnesses such as high blood pressure, myocardial infarction and stroke. They may also be mental illnesses, including depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, memory loss and concentration.

A sleep study or polysomnography is required before any treatment is performed. The polysomnogram calculates the apnea index, which is the frequency of apnea episodes during one hour of sleep and determines the severity of the disease. If there are more than 20 apnea episodes per hour, the apnea index is considered significant regardless of clinical symptoms.

The gold standard for the treatment of OSA syndrome is CPAP treatment. However, CPAP treatment is not suitable for everyone, as many people find that wearing a mask to sleep on the face and the machine itself can be large, especially because it is usually close to the head and therefore uncomfortable. Only 25% of patients can be treated with CPAP for a long time.

Therefore, Inspire Medical Systems Inc. recently introduced a very effective solution for Inspire Sleep Apnea Implant.

How does Inspire Sleep Apnea Implant work?

Inspire Sleep Apnea Implant is a battery-powered device that promotes electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve. Battery life is about 10 years.

The main components of the device are placed under the skin on the right front side of the chest and the phase of the breath is monitored. Another electrode is implanted to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve, resulting in muscle tension. This opens the upper airway and allows the tongue to stick out and helps keep the airway open during sleep.

In addition to the two electrodes, the device includes a convenient small remote control switch that actually turns the device on before turning it on and turns it off after waking up. This allows the electrodes to not interfere with the communication and feeding process during the active phase of the day, when the person needs to physically narrow the throat and tongue movements to perform these processes.

During the initial use of the device, the patient may experience a slight involuntary contraction of the throat or movement of the tongue. These exercises do not cause pain, but only minor discomfort. These unpleasant effects disappear after the first few uses of the device.

Usually, the implant should be inspected 1 or 2 times a year. However, depending on the circumstances, doctors trained in Inspire therapy may consult patients more or less.

Inspire Sleep Apnea Implant is only available for:

• The patient is over 22 years of age.

• A patient who has been diagnosed with moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

• Patients with an apnea index in the range of 20 to 65.

• Patients who are dissatisfied with CPAP treatment or who do not achieve the desired results.

• Patients with a body mass index of less than 32.

Body mass index (BMI) = weight (kg) / height ^ 2 (m2).

80 kg in weight and 170 cm in height

BMI = 80kg / (1.7m ^ 2) = 80 / 2.89 = 27.68kg / m 2

Inspire Sleep Apnea Implant may have the potential to replace CPAP therapy as the "gold standard" for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. A study by Dr. Ryan J. et al. It has been shown that snoring is greatly reduced after implantation of the Inspire sleep apnea implant. The percentage of “none” or “soft” snoring changed from 22% at the start of treatment to 88% at 24 months after treatment and 91% at 12 months. In addition, the apnea index fell from 31 to 14. 82% of patients in the study reported using the therapy for 5 years per night. Therefore, it is obvious that this method is very effective and easy to use!

Dr. Patrick J. of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center also conducted another interesting study. The study found that stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve at the base of the tongue reduced the severity of obstructive sleep apnea by 68% and the number of sleep apnea episodes from 29 to 9. The oxygen saturation of the blood is also improved; the daytime sleepiness is reduced and the patient's quality of life is generally improved.

Stimulate sleep apnea costs

Inspire sleep apnea implant costs approximately. $15,000-25,000, excluding operating costs. In addition, the battery cannot be replaced after the battery is exhausted, and a new battery needs to be implanted. The implant can also be moved into position over time. In contrast, the cost of a CPAP device is about. It's much cheaper from $1,500 to $3,000.

Stimulate sleep apnea side effects

Implanting an Inspire sleep apnea implant is a surgical procedure that can have complications, just like any medical procedure. There is a risk of infection after surgery, the tongue is temporarily weakened, postoperative bleeding, pain or discomfort in the implanted area.

People with the following problems are not suitable for this device:

• Patients with central apnea or mixed apnea have a total apnea index of more than 25%.

• Patients with any anatomical problems that affect the upper respiratory tract irritation, such as the presence of a soft condyle completely concentric collapse.

• A patient with any existing condition or procedure has compromised the neural control of the upper airway.

• A patient who cannot or cannot operate the sleep remote.

• A patient who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

• Patients with implantable devices may be susceptible to accidental interaction with the Inspire system – allergic or rejection of the implant material.

Inspire sleep apnea implant therapy is FDA approved and has proven to be an effective solution for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Currently, insurance companies are reviewing and approving the therapy one by one.

If this is the treatment you would like to explore further, please consult your doctor.

Inspired sleep apnea implant review was originally published on Spring