Inspire Sleep Apnea Innovation

Treat sleep apnea without a mask

  • Wake up alert and refreshed
  • Get relief from snoring
  • Return to restful sleep with your partner

Inspire Sleep Apnea Therapy Overview

Inspire Sleep Apnea Device is a small, fully implanted system that senses breathing patterns and delivers mild stimulation to help maintain an open airway during sleep. Upper airway stimulation technology provides a first of its kind alternative for those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea who are unable to tolerate or or get consistent benefit from CPAP therapy.

Comprehensive Sleep Care Center has the area’s top sleep medicine specialists and 9 convenient locations in Virginia and Maryland (Alexandria, Arlington, N. Bethesda, Chantilly, Dumfries, Germantown, Lansdowne, Manassas and Woodbridge) to help evaluate you for possible Inspire Sleep Apnea Therapy.

How Inspire Therapy Treats Sleep Apnea

The Inspire system consists of three implanted components, including a neurostimulator, a pressure sensing lead and stimulation lead, all controlled with the small handheld Inspire sleep remote. The Inspire system works completely inside your body with your natural breathing process to treat obstructive sleep apnea. While you are sleeping, Inspire delivers mild stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, a nerve that controls the movement of the tongue and other muscles in the airway. By stimulating the nerve, the tongue and other tissues move out of the airway so you can breathe during sleep. Inspire is controlled using the Inspire Sleep Remote. The Inspire Sleep Remote allows you to turn the therapy on and off, adjust stimulation strength, and pause stimulation during the night if needed.

What to Expect with Inspire Sleep Apnea Therapy

Inspire works inside the body with the patient’s natural breathing process. The system is placed under the skin during a short out-patient surgical procedure. Patients can return to their regular diet and most activities of daily living immediately after the procedure.

Insurance Coverage

Over 250 insurance companies have covered Inspire, and Medicare covers the procedure based on medical necessity. Inspire is also available at select VA and military hospitals.

What Does the Stimulation Feel Like?

When Inspire is turned on you should feel a mild sensation from the stimulation. Typically, patients feel a tingling sensation or mild contraction in their tongue muscles. The stimulation should not be painful or uncomfortable and the level is adjustable. Your Inspire therapy-trained doctor will make any adjustments as needed.

How Much Will I Have to Pay Out of Pocket for This Procedure?

Every insurance plan is different. Generally, the co-pay costs for Inspire therapy should be similar to co-pays for other out-patient surgical procedures. Some patients may have secondary benefits or supplemental coverage that will offset their co-pay. Your Inspire therapy team will help you through this process.

Patients receiving Inspire experience significant reductions in sleep apnea events and significant improvements in quality of life and daytime functioning. Contact the team of experts at Comprehensive Sleep Care Center to find out if Inspire Sleep Apnea Therapy is right for you.

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