Inspire® Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Inspire therapy is a mask-free solution for people with obstructive sleep apnea who have tried and struggled with CPAP. Through a simple-to-use system that includes the Inspire implant, a remote, and an app, Inspire lets you control your sleep apnea treatment from the palm of your hand. Sleep Health MD offers Inspire evaluations for qualifying patients in Santa Cruz, Freedom, Sunnyvale, and Monterey.

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How Inspire® Therapy Works

Inspire therapy is the only FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea therapy that works inside your body. The small Inspire implant delivers gentle pulses to your airway muscles to keep your airway open so you can breathe regularly and sleep soundly.

  • When we sleep, our airway muscles and tongue relax. For people with obstructive sleep apnea, the tongue can relax into a position that blocks the airway.
  • When your airway is blocked, less oxygen reaches your brain, which triggers you to wake up to take a breath. This cycle repeats throughout the night and prevents quality sleep.
  • The Inspire implant delivers gentle pulses that move your tongue out of the way each time you breathe in, keeping your airway open while you sleep. No mask or hose is required.

Inspire therapy system for obstructive sleep apnea

Inspire® Therapy Effectiveness

Does Inspire therapy really work? Inspire is a safe and effective therapy with more than 10 years of FDA approval. According to recent studies:

  • 90% of bed partners reported no snoring or soft snoring
  • 91% of people are satisfied with Inspire therapy
  • Patients had a 79% reduction in sleep apnea events
  • 94% of patients say Inspire therapy is better than CPAP and would recommend it to others

Inspire therapy implant, remote, and app

Who Is a Candidate for Inspire Therapy?

Inspire may be an option for adults who:

  • Have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea
  • Have tried CPAP therapy and were unable to use it consistently or get consistent benefit
  • Meet specific body mass index and anatomical criteria
  • Have had a recent sleep study confirming their diagnosis

Your Sleep Health MD sleep specialist will review your sleep study, CPAP history, and health to determine whether you may qualify. If you’ve struggled with your mask or pressure settings, learn more about CPAP intolerance.

The Inspire Process

  • Consultation: A sleep specialist reviews your history and confirms you are a potential candidate.
  • Airway evaluation: A brief airway exam, often performed by an ENT specialist, confirms your airway anatomy is suitable.
  • Outpatient procedure: The Inspire device is placed during a short outpatient procedure, and most patients go home the same day.
  • Activation and follow-up: About a month after the procedure, the device is turned on and settings are fine-tuned during follow-up visits and a sleep study.

Each night, you simply turn Inspire on with the remote or app before bed and off when you wake up.

Benefits of Inspire Therapy

  • No mask, hose, or machine at your bedside
  • Quiet operation for you and your bed partner
  • Easy to use and travel-friendly
  • Can reduce snoring and daytime sleepiness

Review our accepted insurances and explore other sleep medicine services and conditions we treat.

Inspire Therapy FAQs

What is Inspire therapy?

Inspire is an FDA-approved, implanted treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that stimulates the airway muscles during sleep to keep the airway open, without a mask or hose.

Who qualifies for Inspire therapy?

Inspire is generally for adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who have struggled with CPAP and meet specific body mass index and anatomical criteria.

Is the Inspire procedure painful?

The device is placed during an outpatient procedure. Most patients go home the same day and return to normal activities within a short recovery period.

How do I turn Inspire on and off?

You turn Inspire on before bed and off when you wake up using a small remote or smartphone app.

Does Inspire stop snoring?

In clinical studies, 90% of bed partners reported no snoring or soft snoring with Inspire therapy.

Is Inspire covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover Inspire for patients who meet specific criteria. Coverage varies by plan.

How do I find out if Inspire is right for me?

Call (844) 387-5337 or request an appointment online to discuss Inspire with a Sleep Health MD sleep specialist.

Sleep Without a Mask

If CPAP hasn’t worked for you, Inspire may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Call (844) 387-5337 or request an appointment online to find out if you qualify.

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