Inspire Sleep Therapy in Austin, TX
If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and can’t tolerate CPAP, Inspire® sleep therapy may be an option for you. Sleep is essential to our overall well-being, both mentally and physically. It’s when our body conducts its best renewal tactics like cellular turnover, muscle repair, and cognitive resets. So, when we don’t get the best night’s sleep due to excessive snoring or breathing problems, it can cause a whole host of problems. At Sinus & Snoring Specialists, our Austin, TX physicians offer Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulation as a CPAP alternative for eligible sleep apnea patients.
Interested in learning more about Inspire® Sleep Apnea Therapy in Austin, TX? Get in touch with us by calling (512) 601-0303 or contacting us online today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
How Does Inspire Sleep Therapy Work?
The Inspire implant is a surgical procedure used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Simply put, it is a small device that works inside your body while you sleep to treat the root cause of sleep apnea. It is controlled using a handheld remote and is placed during a same-day outpatient procedure.
The procedure involves two incisions. One is made in the neck, just below the jawline, typically on the right side. This incision is approximately 5 cm long and allows the surgeon to access the nerve that controls tongue movement. The nerve branches responsible for moving the tongue forward are carefully identified, and a small stimulating electrode cuff is placed around them. When activated, the device causes the tongue to stiffen and move forward, helping to open the airway behind the tongue while also stiffening the soft palate.
The second incision is made on the chest, also typically on the right side. It is located between the second and third ribs, approximately 3 cm from the sternum, and is also about 5 cm long. This incision is used to place the implantable pulse generator (IPG), which stimulates the tongue nerve. At the conclusion of the procedure, the system is tested to confirm that the IPG produces the appropriate tongue movement and stiffening. The incisions are then closed, and bandages are applied.
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What Is Inspire Sleep Apnea Therapy?
Inspire is an FDA-approved hypoglossal nerve stimulation system for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. In OSA, the muscles and soft tissues of the throat relax during sleep and block the airway, causing repeated pauses in breathing, loud snoring, and poor sleep quality. Inspire works with your body’s own nerve and muscle system to keep the airway open, so you can breathe normally while you sleep. Unlike CPAP, it does not use a mask, hose, or pressurized air.
Inspire vs. CPAP: A CPAP Alternative for Sleep Apnea
CPAP is the standard first-line treatment for sleep apnea, but many patients struggle to use it consistently because of mask discomfort, air leaks, dry mouth, noise, or difficulty traveling with the machine. If you have tried CPAP and cannot tolerate it, Inspire offers a different approach to sleep apnea treatment. Because the system is implanted and controlled with a small handheld remote, you simply turn it on at bedtime and off when you wake up.
Am I a Good Candidate for Inspire?
This procedure is an alternative to CPAP therapy for certain patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
- Patients must be 18 years of age or older.
- Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) between 15 and 65 are typically candidates.
- BMI requirements vary depending on the patient’s insurance plan.
- A special Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) is performed to determine whether the Inspire procedure is appropriate for you. This airway evaluation is used to confirm that you are a candidate for the procedure. It is a routine, nonsurgical procedure. A short-acting medication is administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist to help you fall asleep. While you are asleep, a small camera records obstructive sleep apnea events. The procedure takes less than 15 minutes.
Will the Inspire System Limit My Activities?
Most patients experience pain that requires medication for two to three days. It is generally well tolerated.
Patients are instructed to keep the incision dry for one week. You may shower carefully the day after the procedure, but avoid getting water on the incision and keep the bandages dry and intact. At your one-week follow-up appointment, you will be seen by the physician assistant. If the incision is healing well, you will be instructed to begin washing the area.
In addition to keeping the incision dry during the first week, you should avoid exercise and heavy lifting for six weeks. We will also instruct you on how to perform head-rolling exercises three times a day for six weeks.
After this initial healing period, there are usually no activity restrictions.
There may be some limitations regarding MRI examinations after this procedure.
When going through airport security, you should inform TSA that you have an implanted medical device.
How Often Should My Doctor Check the Inspire System?
Patients are seen by our physician associates one week after the procedure. Approximately four weeks later, they return to an inpatient sleep lab, where the device is activated. At that time, patients begin using the device and may start experiencing its benefits. About four weeks after activation, a formal in-lab sleep study is performed to fine-tune the level of stimulation needed to achieve optimal results. After that, routine follow-up appointments are generally not required.
The implantable pulse generator (IPG) battery typically lasts about 11 years. When the battery is depleted, the IPG can be replaced during a simple outpatient procedure.
What Does the Stimulation Feel Like?
The Inspire device sends gentle stimulation to the motor nerve that controls your tongue, moving it forward and out of the way to help keep your airway open during sleep. The stimulation is designed to be gentle and should not disturb your sleep. It should not be painful or uncomfortable.
What Are the Benefits of Inspire?
Inspire sleep apnea therapy offers several advantages for patients who have struggled with CPAP:
- Treats obstructive sleep apnea without a mask, hose, or machine
- Helps reduce sleep apnea events and loud snoring
- Can lead to better, more restful sleep and more energy during the day
- Simple nightly use with a handheld remote
- Placed during a same-day outpatient procedure
- Minimal routine follow-up after the device is fine-tuned
Schedule a Consultation
If you are experiencing problems related to sleep apnea and want to learn more about Inspire Sleep Therapy, contact our office today! Call (512) 601-0303 to schedule a consultation with our physicians. You can also fill out the appointment request form on this page, and our staff will help you arrange your consultation. We look forward to serving you!
Patient Testimonials
“Sinus infections and allergy issues for year; they helped me solve the problem and not just treat the symptoms. They also addressed my sleep apnea with alternatives to a c-pap. I feel better than I have in years despite the pandemic.“
-Suzanne
“Everyone I’ve interacted with has been super kind and professional. Dr Salvador was very patient with all of my questions. The staff always made me feel Comfortable and safe throughout my procedure.”
-Tyler
Inspire Sleep Therapy In Austin, TX – FAQ
Am I still a candidate for Inspire if I have a pacemaker or other implanted device?
Yes.
Will Inspire help with snoring?
A significant reduction in snoring has been shown as a secondary benefit of Inspire. Ninety percent of bed partners report that their partner snores either softly or not at all.
Does insurance cover the procedure?
Yes, most insurance plans cover the procedure if certain criteria are met.
What are the possible complications of Inspire?
The risk of complications is fortunately low. Potential complications include, but are not limited to, incomplete treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), tongue weakness, tongue numbness, infection requiring implant removal, hematoma, scarring, and pneumothorax.
Who does the procedure?
Dr. Slaughter or Dr. Salvador performs the procedure. Surgical assistants are present for all procedures as well.
What is Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE)?
DISE is a short, nonsurgical airway evaluation. A board-certified anesthesiologist gives you a short-acting medication to help you fall asleep, and a small camera records how your airway behaves during obstructive sleep apnea events. It takes less than 15 minutes and helps confirm whether Inspire is right for you.
How do I know if I have obstructive sleep apnea?
Common signs include loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, gasping or choking at night, morning headaches, and daytime fatigue. A sleep study is used to diagnose OSA and measure its severity by your apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). If you suspect sleep apnea, contact our Austin office to get started.
Can I travel with the Inspire device?
Yes. Because Inspire is implanted, there is no machine to pack. When going through airport security, just let TSA know you have an implanted medical device.
How long does the Inspire battery last?
The battery in the implantable pulse generator (IPG) typically lasts about 11 years. When it runs low, the IPG can be replaced in a simple outpatient procedure.
Where is the procedure performed?
The procedure is performed at an outpatient surgical facility.
What type of anesthesia is used?
All of these cases are done under general anesthesia.
How long does the procedure take?
Patients typically arrive one hour before the procedure for preparation. The procedure usually takes between one and two hours.
How does the scar look?
The incisions are placed in the natural skin crease of the neck and chest and are very cosmetically pleasing.
What is hypoglossal nerve stimulation?
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a sleep apnea treatment that sends gentle electrical pulses to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movement. The stimulation moves the tongue forward during sleep to keep the airway open.
Is Inspire a cure for sleep apnea?
Inspire is a treatment, not a cure. It is designed to control obstructive sleep apnea while the device is in use. Your results are checked with a formal sleep study after activation so the stimulation can be adjusted for you.
Do I have to wear a mask with Inspire?
No. Inspire does not require a mask, hose, or any type of air pressure, making it ideal for those who don’t tolerate sleeping with a mask on their face. It is an implanted system that you turn on at bedtime with a handheld remote.
How do I use the Inspire remote?
You use the handheld remote to turn the therapy on before you go to sleep and off when you wake up. All our physicians can show you how to use it at your device activation appointment.
When will I start to notice results from Inspire?
The device is activated about four weeks after the procedure, once the area has had time to heal. Many patients notice benefits once they start using therapy. The stimulation level is then fine-tuned during an in-lab sleep study for the best results.
Can I have Inspire if I can’t tolerate CPAP?
Inspire was designed as an alternative to CPAP for certain patients who cannot tolerate it. A consultation and a Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) will help determine whether you qualify.