Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the Inspire Therapy Sleep Apnea Treatment.
How does Inspire therapy work?
Inspire works inside your body with your natural breathing process to treat obstructive sleep apnea. While you sleep, Inspire delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles, allowing the airway to remain open. The Inspire system is controlled by a small handheld sleep remote. You turn Inspire on before bed and off in the morning when you wake up.
Is Inspire covered by Insurance?
Inspire is reimbursed by most major insurance providers, either as a covered policy or approved on an individual basis. Your Methodist Hospitals physician and the insurance team at Inspire will work with you for approval.
What does the stimulation feel like?
You should feel a mild sensation from the stimulation when the therapy is turned on. Typically, patients feel a tingling sensation or mild contraction in their tongue muscles. Then stimulation is delayed for a period of time while you fall asleep. After this start delay, stimulation resumes. The stimulation is gentle and designed to move the tongue forward without disturbing your sleep.
Will I be able to increase or decrease the strength of stimulation?
Yes. A range of stimulation will be programmed by your Methodist Hospitals physician, and the Inspire sleep remote allows you to adjust the strength of stimulation.
The stimulation should not be painful or uncomfortable. Stimulation strength can be adjusted so that therapy is comfortable and effective.
How long is the recovery time after surgery?
You should expect some pain and swelling at the incision sites for a few days after the implant. Based on your recovery, you may be able to go home the same day you have the surgery, or your doctor may want to keep you overnight.
Within a few days following the procedure, you should be able to return to normal nonstrenuous activities. You should avoid strenuous activities for about two weeks, or as directed by your doctor. A week after surgery, your doctor will examine you to make sure you are healing properly.
Will the Inspire system limit my activities?
Generally, no. However, you should ask your doctor about any activities that are particularly strenuous (e.g., weightlifting) or that entail a large or unpredictable range of motion of your upper body and/or arms (e.g., working as a firefighter).
Can the device be removed?
It is possible to safely remove Inspire through a surgical procedure when medically necessary. However, this is rare and not recommended in most situations.
Will I need additional sleep studies?
You will need at least one sleep study so your doctor can fine tune your therapy settings. Your doctor may need additional sleep studies to monitor and adjust your therapy settings.
Is Inspire DOT approved?
Your doctor can print out a usage record of Inspire to show the medical examiner that you are using your prescribed sleep apnea treatment. By proving compliance, there should be no issues renewing your commercial driver’s license.
Can I go through airport security with Inspire?
It is safe to go through security screening devices with Inspire. It is possible that Inspire would set off the metal detector so you should let security personnel know that you have an implanted stimulator and carry your Inspire Identification Card for verification.
How long does the Inspire battery last?
The battery in Inspire is designed to last for approximately 11 years. Once it is running low, it is replaced during a short outpatient procedure.
What are the steps after the procedure?
The first 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure the system remains off to allow you to heal. You’ll then have an appointment to have the system programmed with initial settings, receive the remote for your device and learn how to use it.
You will then begin using Inspire every night, slowly increasing the amplitude until you reach the point where you are having comfortable restful sleep.
After you’ve gotten used to using the device at home for about 12 weeks, you will have an overnight sleep study. At that time, the technician will observe your sleeping and fine-tune the device to the best possible way to treat your sleep apnea.
What will the incisions look like after I have healed from the procedure?
The visibility of the scars will depend on your skin tone and individual healing process.
To learn more about the innovative Inspire mask-free sleep apnea treatment, or to schedule an appointment, call
Khaled Kashlan, MD
Otolaryngology/ENT
219-644-3970