Inspire Therapy is the first implanted sleep apnea treatment of its kind. Read the introductory Inspire Therapy blog post that introduces and explains how the treatment option works in the previous blog post, Treating Sleep Apnea is Now As Easy As Using a Remote Control. Inspire Therapy is an implanted device that works similar to a pacemaker, but the device is connected to the nerve that activates the tongue and rib cage muscles to monitor breathing patterns, instead of the heart.

Dr. Ryan Soose, Director, UPMC Division of Sleep Surgery and Assistant Professor, UPMC Department of Otolaryngology, is currently the only Doctor in the Pittsburgh area implanting Inspire Therapy. Watch the video below of Dr. Soose as he describes how Inspire Therapy works.

Every case of sleep apnea is different. Therefore treating sleep apnea differs per the individual case. Inspire Therapy is an option for patients who, as Dr. Soose explains in the video, “[Inspire Therapy is] for those patients who have been unable to achieve success with most of the other medical and surgical options.”

So what is the process of becoming an applicant for Inspire Therapy? We can look at this from two perspectives; from a potential sleep apnea sufferer, to a person who has already been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Potential Sleep Apnea Sufferer:

1. Speak with your physician. Voice your concerns, side effects, and why you think you should get checked for sleep apnea. Then your physician will recommend you to get a sleep study.

2. Complete a sleep study. After which your results will be reviewed. Dependent on your Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), you will be recommended to try either Continous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) if you have an AHI over 15, or Oral Appliance Therapy if you have an AHI below 15.

Current Sleep Apnea Sufferer:
3. If after trying most medical and surgical options for sleep apnea are unsuccessful, then Inspire Therapy is an option to consider. If you believe you are at this point, reach out the Division of Sleep Surgery of UPMC and explain your interest and situation.

In a small percentage of patients, Inspire Therapy is used in conjunction with oral appliances. When both therapies are used together, it is most often for those who suffer from severe sleep apnea, who cannot tolerate CPAP. Together, the two therapies jointly lower the AHI to an acceptable level without use of a mask.

Dr. Soose performs the two hour long procedure at Mercy Hospital. This is the ideal location for the Pittsburgh area because UPMC Mercy Hospital accepts both Highmark and UPMC patients, as well as Cigna, Aetna, US Healthcare, Medicare, and VA patients.

Go to the Inspire Therapy Website to learn more about this innovative new technology that is taking off in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

If you are a medical professional in the Pittsburgh Area, You are invited to an educational event to learn about Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation Therapy. Dr. Ryan J. Soose, MD, and Dr. Robert R. Rogers, DMD, DABDSM leading sleep therapy professionals, will be hosting the upcoming educational event.