Inspire Therapy for Sleep Apnea | CPAP Alternative at Coastal ENT

Inspire Implant

Inspire Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

At Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat, Inspire Therapy is an FDA-approved implantable treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that offers an effective alternative to CPAP therapy.

Inspire works from inside your body while you sleep. This small, implantable device is placed during a same-day outpatient procedure and is activated using a simple handheld remote before bedtime. While you sleep, Inspire gently stimulates the airway muscles to help keep your airway open, allowing for more natural breathing and improved sleep quality.

This procedure is performed by our Head & Neck Surgery specialist, Dr. Kenneth Newkirk, and Dr. Vishaal Patel, a Sleep & Airway Specialist at Coastal ENT. Together, they provide expert evaluation and personalized treatment for patients struggling with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

How Inspire Therapy Works

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 the Inspire Procedure Is Performed

Inspire Therapy is performed as an outpatient surgical procedure. It typically involves:

A small incision in the chest to place the implant (similar to a pacemaker)
A small incision in the neck to connect the device to the hypoglossal nerve
Same-day discharge in most cases

The device is fully internal and controlled externally with a handheld remote.

What to Expect After Inspire Therapy

After recovery from surgery, your Coastal ENT provider will fine-tune or “titrate” the device settings to ensure optimal results. Patients use a remote control each night to activate Inspire before sleep.

Over time, many patients experience improved sleep quality, reduced snoring, and fewer breathing interruptions.