Inspire Implant

Inspire Therapy is an FDA-approved implant designed to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) without the need for a CPAP machine. It works inside your body while you sleep. This small device is implanted during a same-day, outpatient procedure. When you’re ready for bed, simply use the remote to turn Inspire on. While you sleep, Inspire gently opens your airway, allowing you to breathe normally and sleep peacefully.

Performed as an outpatient procedure by our Head & Neck surgery expert, Dr. Kenneth Newkirk, and Dr. Vishaal Patel, one of our Sleep & Airway Specialists, this innovative device helps you breathe naturally and sleep soundly—all with the click of a remote.

How does it work?
Sleep apnea is caused by upper airway collapse, often when the back of the tongue falls back into the throat. This device gives just enough stimulation to the nerve that controls the tongue, that it prevents this collapse when you inspire. ​

How is the procedure performed?
There is a small incision placed in the neck to find the nerve and another over the chest. The implant is placed in a skin pocket similar to a pacemaker.

What happens after?
Once you have recovered from surgery, then we titrate the stimulation to effect, with a convenient remote control.