Treatment in

Upper Airway Stimulation Treatment (Inspire Therapy)

A M Health Fairview team led by Dr. Jennifer Hsia was the first in the Twin Cities to successfully implant Inspire therapy, an innovative treatment option that targets the nerves that control the muscles of your airway.

Overview

Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous condition in which you stop breathing for a time during sleep. This occurs because your upper airway temporarily collapses, preventing normal breathing, causing you to wake. Signs of obstructive sleep apnea include snoring and daytime sleepiness. When left untreated, sleep apnea can put you at a higher risk for heart attack, stroke, weight gain and high blood pressure. You are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea if you are male, overweight or older. Obstructive sleep apnea affects approximately 18 million people in the United States. Upper airway stimulation treatment (InspireÂ® therapy) uses an implantable device. It includes a breathing sensor and mild stimulation to your airway muscles so you can breathe more easily.

Our approach

Our ear, nose and throat specialists can help you find an effective treatment for your obstructive sleep apnea. If you have already tried non-invasive measures, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), and did not benefit from the therapy, we can offer you something more. A M Health Fairview team led by Dr. Jennifer Hsia was the first in the Twin Cities to successfully implant Inspire therapy, an innovative treatment option that targets the nerves that control the muscles of your airway. The device consists of a small generator, which is implanted under the skin of your chest, along with two thin leads that are connected to the generator. One is a breathing sensor, which monitors your breathing patterns while you sleep. The other delivers stimulation to your airway muscles. Our surgeons implant the device during an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day. The device will be turned on three to four weeks after your surgery, at which time your physician will establish your personal therapy settings and show you how to use the device. Inspire therapy is for people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who are not receiving consistent benefits from CPAP devices. Before your physician recommends Inspire therapy, you will be asked to participate in a sleep study. Two months after your implant, you will participate in another to analyze the benefit you are receiving from the therapy and to make any necessary adjustments to the settings. Many of the physicians at M Health Fairview participate in research. Ask your physician if you might be eligible for a clinical study.