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To learn more about Inspire therapy please visit InspireSleep.com

Physicians' Clinic of Iowa Neurology & Sleep Medicine specialists and Ear, Nose & Throat surgeons, are partnering to offer Inspire Therapy, a breakthrough obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment option for those who cannot use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Physicians' Clinic of Iowa is one of only a handful of specialty medical groups offering the Inspire system, and the first one in Cedar Rapids.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)? 

OSA affects 22 million Americans. OSA occurs when soft tissues in the airway collapse during sleep and block 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, then the body falls back asleep. This cycle repeats throughout the night and causes poor, disruptive sleep. When left untreated, OSA can cause vehicle and workplace accidents, worsening mood and memory, stroke, heart attack, and even death. 

Animation of airway collapsing during Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Treatment Options

There are many different sleep apnea treatment options available. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most commonly used treatment for OSA. CPAP uses a mask and hose to blow pressurized air into the airway to keep it open during sleep. This treatment works well for some patients, however studies show about 50% of people who are given a CPAP machine don’t use it. Other treatment options include oral appliances and major anatomy altering surgeries.  

Inspire Therapy

Inspire therapy represents a significant advancement in treating sleep apnea. It is clinically proven to reduce sleep apnea events and also has a high level of patient satisfaction and therapy adherence.

It is a fully implanted system, controlled with a small handheld Inspire sleep remote.

The implanted components are:

  • A small generator
  • A breathing sensor lead
  • A stimulation lead

When activated, Inspire therapy senses breathing patterns and delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles, which keeps the airway open during sleep.

A patient simply turns the therapy on before bed and off upon waking using the handheld Inspire sleep remote.

Watch: Dr. Thomas Heineman, PCI ENT, explains sleep apnea and new treatments.

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PCI is an Inspire Excellence Program member

PCI was one of the first in the nation to achieve Inspire program excellence

Inspire Sleep Therapy Time Line

Inspire therapy is a process. It takes time and commitment to succeed! The average time line from initial consult to success with therapy could be 6 to 9 months.

Steps to Success with Inspire Sleep Therapy

  • Step 1: You will be evaluated by a PCI Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon.
  • Step 2: Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) procedure. Your ENT surgeon will place you under mild anesthesia to mimic your sleep patterns. While you're asleep, he/she inserts a tiny camera into your nose and throat to determine the cause of your apnea.
  • Step 3: Prior Authorization for Inspire placement. Please allow three weeks for insurance approval.
  • Step 4: Outpatient surgery to place the Inspire device.
  • Step 5: One week post-operative check up with ENT.
  • Step 6: 4 to 6 weeks after your surgery, you will have an office appointment with PCI Neurology & Sleep Medicine to turn on the Inspire therapy.
  • Step 7: You will increase the level on your sleep remote at home one step every 7 days as tolerated.
  • Step 8: In about 8 weeks after your therapy is turned on, you will have an office appointment with Neurology and Sleep Medicine to check in and see how you are doing with the therapy. If you are at a level that is comfortable, and you are able to use your therapy all night, every night, your sleep study will be ordered for about 1 month later (12 weeks after turning the device on).
  • Step 9: You will have an in-lab Inspire titration sleep study at the Eastern Iowa Sleep Center.
  • Step 10: You will have an appointment with a PCI sleep medicine specialist to discuss the results of your Inspire titration sleep study.

If needed, additional appointments will be added to help you achieve the maximum benefits of using the Inspire system. You will continue to see a sleep medicine specialist every 6 to 12 months to monitor your Inspire therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Inspire therapy work?

Inspire therapy is the only FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea therapy that works comfortably inside your body. The small Inspire implant delivers gentle pulses to your airway muscles to keep your airway open so you can breathe regularly and sleep soundly.

When we sleep, our airway muscles and tongue relax. For people with obstructive sleep apnea, the tongue relaxes into a position that blocks the airway. When your airway is blocked, you get less oxygen to your brain, triggering you to wake up to take a breath. This cycle happens repeatedly, preventing quality sleep. 

The Inspire implant delivers gentle pulses that move your tongue our of the way each time you take a breath, keeping your airway open while you sleep soundly. No mask or hose required.

An animation of the Inspire therapy system keeping a sleeping person's airway open.

Is Inspire therapy covered by insurance?

Inspire therapy is reimbursed by most major insurance providers, either as a covered policy or approved on an individual basis. Your doctor and the insurance team at Inspire will work with you for approval.

How much will I have to pay out of pocket for this procedure?

Every insurance plan is different. Typically, patients can expect to pay the cost of any unmet deductible for the year, along with any required copay or coinsurance fee for a surgery. The Insurance Team at Inspire Medical Systems and your Inspire trained doctor will help you through this process.

Do I need to get approval from my insurance before my first visit?

No, you do not need to have prior approval from your insurance company for the therapy prior to your first clinic visit.

Is Inspire therapy DOT approved?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires commercial drivers to be compliant with their sleep apnea treatment in order to keep their license. Similar to CPAP, an Inspire doctor can print out a usage record of Inspire therapy to show the medical examiner that you are using your prescribed sleep apnea treatment. By proving compliance, there should be no issues renewing your commercial driver's license.

Will Inspire therapy help with snoring?

A significant decrease in snoring has been found as a secondary effect of Inspire. 90 percent of bed partners report no or soft snoring by their partner.

What does the stimulation feel like?

Inspire sends mild stimulation to the motor nerve that controls your tongue, moving it out of the way. The stimulation is very gentle and designed to move the tongue forward without disturbing your sleep. It should not be painful or uncomfortable.

How long does the battery in Inspire therapy last?

The battery in Inspire therapy is designed to last for approximately 11 years. Once running low, it is replaced during a simple outpatient procedure.

How long is the recovery time after surgery?

Recovery time after surgery will vary from patient to patient, but you can expect some pain and swelling at the small incision sites for a few days after the implant. Most patients return home the same day and take over-the-counter pain medication if needed. You can resume normal, non-strenuous activities within a few days or as directed by your doctor. Most patients have a full recovery within a couple of weeks.

Am I still a candidate for Inspire therapy if I have a pacemaker?

A doctor will need to test your current device with Inspire to determine if the two interact. If they do not interact, you may be a candidate.

Will the Inspire system limit my activities?

Inspire should not limit normal daily activities once your are healed. You should ask your Inspire trained doctor about any activities that are particularly strenuous, like weight lifting, or those that entail a large or unpredictable range of motion in your upper body and/or arms, such as working as a firefighter.

How often should my doctor check the Inspire system?

Generally, the Inspire system should be checked 1 to 2 times a year.

What types of medical imaging are compatible with the Inspire system?

All Inspire patients can undergo most imaging technologies across the entire body including CT, ultrasound, and X-ray scans. Depending on the model of your Inspire system, full body MRI scans can be performed provided certain guidelines and precautions are followed. If you are a current Inspire patient, please visit the "For Inspire Therapy Patients" section of the website to learn if your device allows MRI Conditional scans.

Is it ok to use a microwave oven and common household appliances after my procedure?

Yes, you may use a microwave oven and any common household appliances that do not emit strong magnetic fields. If you have concerns, consult with your Inspire therapy-trained doctor.