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Inspire Sleep Apnea Device
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Key Takeaways
- Inspire is an FDA-approved, implantable medical device used to treat obstructive sleep apnea by stimulating the nerve that controls the tongue.
- Inspire is intended for people who have been unsuccessful with or cannot tolerate CPAP and other sleep apnea therapies.
- The Inspire system is implanted through a minor outpatient procedure and is activated after healing, allowing users to control it with a handheld remote.
What Is Inspire for Sleep Apnea?
Inspire is a medical device used to treat OSA. It works by stimulating the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movements, to keep the tongue from blocking your airway during sleep. Treatment includes a small medical device that is implanted in the body to help normalize nighttime breathing.
Is the Inspire Sleep Apnea Device FDA-Approved?
Inspire is currently FDA-approved to deliver hypoglossal nerve stimulation. The device was approved by the FDA for use in people who have failed or cannot tolerate PAP treatment and who meet certain criteria related to age, health, and the severity of their diagnosis.
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How Does Inspire Work for Sleep Apnea?
Inspire works while you sleep by gently stimulating nerves that control the tongue. Electrical pulses from the Inspire device prevent the tongue from falling back and obstructing the airway.
The Inspire device is programmed by a doctor and controlled by a small handheld remote control. To use Inspire, you use the remote to turn it on before bed. The device will then monitor your breathing and send out a gentle pulse to the muscles of the tongue every time you begin to inhale.
What Happens During the Inspire Surgical Procedure?
Treatment with Inspire begins with an outpatient surgery performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, a doctor makes one small incision below the collarbone to insert the Inspire device and one under the chin to connect the device to the hypoglossal nerve.
The procedure usually takes around 90 minutes. Patients are usually sore near their incision sites for a few days after the surgery but are able to return to moderate activity after about a week.
You can start using Inspire once your surgery site has healed. During a follow-up appointment, your doctor will turn on the device and show you how to use your remote. You’ll follow a calibration plan over the next few weeks by increasing your therapy level each week until you find the level that’s right for you. Your doctor will outline a plan specific for you.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Inspire?
To be a candidate for Inspire, a person must be evaluated by a doctor to determine if they’re likely to benefit from hypoglossal nerve stimulation. Doctors take a variety of factors into account when determining a person’s eligibility for Inspire.
- Age and medical history: To qualify for Inspire, people must also be over 18 years old and have a body mass index (BMI) under 40. Several medical conditions may make a person ineligible for Inspire, including certain neuromuscular diseases, health issues that increase the risk of complications from anesthesia, and other sleep disorders.
- Severity of sleep apnea: Inspire is only recommended for people whose obstructive sleep apnea is considered moderate to severe. The severity of OSA is determined during a sleep study.
- Past treatment: Inspire is typically reserved for people with OSA who continue to have significant breathing disruptions despite trying a positive airway pressure device like CPAP or those who have CPAP intolerance.
Doctors will also check a person’s airway to ensure that Inspire is an appropriate treatment. This is done during a test called a drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), where the doctor inserts a small camera to look at the structures of the mouth and throat.
What Is the Success Rate for Inspire?
A 5-year study of Inspire found that it’s effective at improving nighttime breathing, reducing daytime tiredness, and improving overall quality of life in people with obstructive sleep apnea.
The results of this study found that around 75% of people using Inspire have a significant reduction in nighttime breathing disruptions. Around 78% of participants noticed a significant improvement in feelings of daytime sleepiness, and 67% of people reported a better quality of life after starting treatment with Inspire.
What Are Side Effects of Inspire?
Based on studies of people who’ve undergone Inspire and other forms of hypoglossal nerve stimulation, long-term side effects of this treatment are uncommon. When side effects do occur, they may include:
- Pain
- Infection
- Redness or swelling
- Scarring or other visible skin changes
- Equipment failure
- MRI-related restrictions and inference with other implants
Doctors typically monitor for potential side effects at regularly scheduled follow-up visits, which typically occur every 6 to 12 months.
Does Insurance Cover Inspire for Sleep Apnea?
Insurance coverage for Inspire varies, depending on an individual’s health insurance policy. Treatment with Inspire is covered by Medicare for people who have failed PAP therapy and meet eligibility criteria.
According to Inspire Medical Systems, the company that created the Inspire device, the treatment is covered by most major health insurance companies in the United States. A person’s health insurance provider can provide more specific details about a person’s eligibility and coverage, including potential copays and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Does Medicare Cover Inspire for Sleep Apnea?
Medicare does generally cover Inspire, but only when medically necessary. To seek coverage, you’ll first need a sleep apnea diagnosis. Medicare typically covers CPAP therapy first. If your doctor can show that CPAP and other sleep apnea treatments haven’t worked for you, then Medicare will cover the cost of the device, the procedure, and any adjustments you might need.
When to Talk to Your Doctor About Inspire
Sleep apnea can have a real impact on your health and negatively affect your quality of life. If you have tried CPAP therapy to treat your sleep apnea, and it’s been unsuccessful, Inspire might be a good option. There are certain eligibility requirements to note.
- Sleep apnea diagnosis: You need to be formally diagnosed with OSA and have an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) score between 15 and 100.
- Past CPAP use: Before being eligible for Inspire, you need to have tried CPAP therapy and shown that it was unsuccessful or you couldn’t tolerate it.
- 18 years old: You must be at least 18, but some patients between 13 and 18 with Down Syndrome may also be eligible.
- BMI under 40: Inspire has only been tested on people with a BMI under 40.
References
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