HEALTH/MEDICINE
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New technology for treating sleep apnea How Inspire, a CPAP alternative, is helping St. Luke’s patients
St. Luke's patient Debra Wright enjoys spending time with her grandkids.
"I
t was just horrible,” said Debra Wright, thinking back to her experience trying to use a CPAP machine. “I could not handle having that thing on my face. I lasted three nights before deciding that I just couldn’t do it.” CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a medical device used to treat sleep apnea, a condition where breathing is interrupted during sleep, often due to blocked airways. However, 50% of patients can’t tolerate it or struggle with the mask. Debra was one of these patients. Knowing a CPAP machine wasn’t for her, Debra talked to her primary care provider, Dr. Amy Hilde-Phillips at St. Luke’s Hibbing Family Medical Clinic. Her doctor had a thought: Perhaps Debra would be a good candidate for Inspire. Inspire is a cutting-edge medical device that serves as a CPAP alternative in combating sleep apnea. It doesn’t require any masks or heavy machinery. Instead, it works through a small device placed inside the body. At first, Debra was hesitant. “I was a little nervous about the idea of having something implanted,” she said. “But my sleep apnea had to be dealt with. Plus, when my grandkids slept over, they were waking me up several times a night, telling me I was snoring! I told Dr. Amy that I was 32 December 2023
willing to try anything.” A month later, Debra met Dr. Andrew Davis at St. Luke’s Ear, Nose & Throat Associates to learn more.
How Inspire works “Sleep apnea is caused by the muscles of the back of the throat closing while a person is asleep,” Dr. Davis said. “This can cause loud snoring and pauses in breathing that sleep apnea is known for and leaves a person unable to get a good night’s sleep.” Inspire works by sensing a patient’s normal breathing process and provides gentle stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve when a patient’s airway collapses. This is the nerve that controls the tongue, which is involved in maintaining an open airway. The result is that patients can breathe freely throughout the night, without any disruptions. After meeting with Dr. Davis, Debra was confident. “Dr. Davis is just an all-around great guy,” she said. “He’s smart, approachable and has a great sense of humor. He explained everything so well. After talking with him, I was ready to move forward.”
Getting used to life with Inspire Implanting an Inspire device is a simple procedure. Only two small incisions are made, one under the chin and the other just below the collarbone. Most people leave the hospital the same day.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. LUKE’S
By Claire Kiger