Our Approach
Franciscan Health is proud to offer Inspire Therapy for sleep apnea, a hypoglossal nerve stimulator for patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea. The hypoglossal nerve is responsible for voluntary movements of the tongue. The device works by sensing breathing in the chest and stimulating the nerve that moves the tongue forward, as a result. For the right candidate, data shows that approximately 90% of patients report good benefits five years after implantation.
Who is the best candidate for Inspire Therapy?
Inspire therapy for sleep apnea is for patients who meet the following criteria:
- Experience moderate to severe sleep apnea
- Have tried a sleep mask and failed (Several different masks, fittings, and settings must be attempted before it is considered a failure.)
- Meet the weight requirement
- Passed a sleep endoscopy, during which a camera is used to view the back of the throat during sedation, to identify the cause of sleep apnea
About This Treatment
A primary care, pulmonologist or sleep medicine doctor will determine whether a patient is a potential candidate before making a referral. Inspire therapy is considered an outpatient procedure, so long as the patient is relatively healthy. The procedure itself lasts one to two hours but may take up to four hours with recovery and discharge.
If there are health concerns, an overnight stay may be required. Following implantation, healing may take four to six weeks.
Check with your insurance provider to verify coverage.