Inspire® Therapy Now Available at Englewood Health

Life-changing device for patients with obstructive sleep apnea allows for better sleep and improved health. 

August 23, 2024 – Englewood Health is now offering Inspire® therapy, a breakthrough obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment option that can provide patients with better quality sleep and improved health. 

Inspire® therapy is a minimally invasive, implantable treatment device that offers a safe alternative for those who cannot use or tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. 

“Many patients struggle with sleep apnea because they cannot tolerate the standard treatment, CPAP, with its mask and hose,” said Srikant Kondapaneni, MD, co-medical director of Englewood Hospital’s Center for Sleep Medicine. “Now we can offer our patients another effective option that will improve their sleep and ultimately their health. And for sleeping partners, 90% report that snoring goes away or becomes softer, helping everyone improve their sleep.”  

OSA occurs when the muscles in the throat relax during sleep, causing the airway to collapse and blocking the flow of oxygen to the brain. The brain senses a lack of oxygen and wakes the body up just long enough to take a breath. This cycle repeats throughout the night and causes poor, disruptive sleep. OSA is associated with long-term health problems. 

For most patients, OSA is successfully treated with a CPAP machine. But for patients with moderate to severe OSA, who cannot wear a CPAP mask, Inspire® can be a life-changing alternative. 

Inspire® therapy is the only FDA-approved OSA therapy that works inside the patient’s body. The device, implanted during a quick outpatient procedure, emits mild stimulation to open the airway during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. A small handheld remote is used to turn Inspire on before bed and off upon waking. 

“The test and the treatment for OSA are much more convenient than in the past,” adds Kirk Levy, MD, co-medical director of Englewood Hospital’s Center for Sleep Medicine. “Because sleep apnea can lead to other serious health problems, particularly affecting the heart and brain, it is important to get diagnosed and treated at the first signs of concern. We are excited to offer this clinically proven therapy to sleep apnea patients who struggle with CPAP.” 

Adding Inspire® therapy to its expertise and technological advancements in sleep medicine, Englewood Health remains a prime destination for sleep health and now for this safe and effective treatment. 

Inspire Device

If you have sleep apnea, use a PAP device, and are interested in the Inspire device, the first step is to make an appointment with a doctor who offers Inspire evaluations.