Inspire^® Therapy for Sleep Apnea

Breathe better. Sleep better.

Inspire therapy is a mask-free solution for people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who have tried and struggled with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This long-term, low-maintenance solution includes the Inspire implant, remote and app, allowing users to control their OSA treatment from the palm of their hand.

OSA is the most common type of sleep-related breathing disorder and, according to the National Council on Aging, impacts approximately 39 million U.S. adults. When left untreated, OSA increases the risk for serious health issues such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart attack, depression and a shortened life span.

How Inspire^® works

When we sleep, our airway muscles and tongue relax. For people with OSA, the tongue relaxes into a position that blocks the airway. When your airway is blocked you get less oxygen to your brain, triggering you to wake up to take a breath. This cycle happens repeatedly, preventing quality sleep.

The Inspire implant, a small device placed in your neck and upper chest, works by delivering gentle pulses that move your tongue out of the way each time you take a breath, keeping your airway open while you sleep soundly. Inspire therapy is the only FDA-approved treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Instead of using a machine outside of the body to force air into the airway through a hose and mask, the Inspire implant works comfortably inside the body to treat the root cause of OSA.

OSA Event

Inspire Technology

OSA Event with Inspire Therapy

Inspire therapy process

If you think Inspire therapy may be appropriate for you:

1. Attend an Inspire therapy consultation appointment: You will meet with Dr. Courtney Miller, an otolaryngologist and Inspire-trained physician, who will ask you questions about your obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and your experiences with CPAP to guide you through the next steps.
2. Complete an airway exam in the operating room: Dr. Miller will perform a simple evaluation of your airway while you are under sedation to confirm the Inspire implant will work for you. The exam involves the use of a small camera to evaluate your airway – usually taking about 20 minutes and causing little to no discomfort.
3. Get the Inspire implant: Dr. Miller will place a small implant in the right upper neck and chest during an approximately 90-minute outpatient procedure.
4. Turn on Inspire therapy one month after surgery: During your post-procedure follow up, Dr. Miller and an Inspire representative will turn on your Inspire therapy, walk you through how to use the Inspire remote and will guide you to the right therapy level for you.
5. Complete a follow-up sleep study about four months after surgery: A sleep study, facilitated by otolaryngologist Dr. Edward Caldwell, will verify if Inspire is meeting your sleep goals and will help determine the best Inspire therapy settings for you.

• FAQ
• Preparing for Inspire
• After your Inspire implant