Inspire Therapy

If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and haven’t found success with CPAP, Inspire® therapy may be an effective alternative. Texas Sleep Medicine in Austin, Texas, offers Inspire therapy evaluations and treatment guidance to help you explore this innovative, mask-free solution to sleep apnea. Dr. Gowda and his team are here to help you find a long-term treatment that fits your lifestyle and restores your quality of sleep.

What Is Inspire Therapy?

Inspire is an FDA-approved treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike CPAP, Inspire works inside your body while you sleep. This small device is implanted under the skin of the chest and connected to a breathing sensor and a stimulation lead. Each night, it monitors your breathing patterns and delivers gentle pulses to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the movement of your tongue and airway muscles, helping keep your airway open without a mask or hose.

Who Is a Candidate for Inspire?

Inspire therapy is designed for adults with moderate to severe OSA who:

• Struggle to get consistent benefits from CPAP therapy
• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 32 or lower
• Have not had a significant anatomical obstruction beyond the tongue base
• Are not experiencing central sleep apnea

Your sleep specialist will evaluate your sleep study results, medical history, and physical airway structure to determine if Inspire is a good fit.

What Is the Procedure Like?

Inspire is placed during a short, outpatient surgical procedure, typically lasting about 2 hours. It involves three small incisions: one under the chin, one in the upper chest, and one near the ribcage to place the breathing sensor. Most patients return home the same day and recover within a few weeks.

Approximately 30 days after the procedure, the device is activated. Using a small handheld remote, you’ll turn the device on before bed and off when you wake up.

What Are the Benefits of Inspire?

Patients who use Inspire report:

• Fewer apnea events per hour
• Significant reduction in snoring
• Improved sleep quality
• Better daytime energy and alertness

Clinical studies show that most users continue therapy long-term, and many partners report better sleep, too.

Where Can I Learn More?

To learn more about how Inspire works, visit the official Inspire Sleep site or read more in this overview of the implant procedure.

If you’re interested in Inspire therapy, contact Texas Sleep Medicine to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gowda to determine if this treatment is right for you.