In November, Rachel Whelan, MD, and her team successfully implanted the first Inspire V device at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Inspire is an innovative treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnea. Think of it like a pacemaker for the tongue. It delivers gentle impulses to the nerve that moves the tongue, keeping the airway open during sleep. This therapy offers hope for patients who can’t tolerate or don’t benefit from CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure machine).
This is an exciting advancement because “for patients that cannot tolerate CPAP, there are limited treatment options,” Dr. Whelan explained. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (Inspire) therapy is an effective, well tolerated treatment for many of these patients.”
The Inspire V™ represents the newest generation of this technology, featuring an integrated respiratory sensor that simplifies the procedure from three implanted components to just two. This means shorter more efficient surgery while maintaining the same proven results. The device also comes with updated software that makes patient management more efficient and accessible.
Inspire therapy was FDA-approved in 2023 for pediatric patients with Down syndrome (ages 13 and older) who have severe obstructive sleep apnea after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
Recovery is minimal; patients typically spend one night in the hospital for observation and then return home the following morning. Pain is usually managed with just Tylenol and Motrin.
A significant reduction in apnea and hypopnea events during sleep is anticipated in this patient, improving energy, quality of life, and reducing long-term risks associated with sleep apnea, such as heart disease.
However, “it is certainly a process rather than a quick fix,” Dr. Whelan cautioned. After implantation, the incisions heal for a month before activation. Then it takes several months (typically 3+) to find optimal settings and see improvement in sleep quality and sleep apnea. So data will not really be available until closer to spring/summer.
Two additional implants are scheduled by the end of the year.