image by: HWN

HWN Suggests

For Sleep Apnea Patients, a Possible Alternative to Masks

The standard treatment for people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea is a mask worn at night that helps them breathe without interruption. The mask is unwieldy and uncomfortable, however; one study found that46 percent to 83 percent of patients with obstructive sleep apnea do not wear it diligently.

Now scientists may have found an alternative, at least for some patients: a pacemaker-like device implanted in the chest that stimulates a nerve in the jaw, helping to keep part of the upper airway open.

read full article

Featured

 The emerging option of upper airway stimulation therapy

A major determining factor of upper airway patency during sleep is the activity of the genioglossus muscle. Activation of this muscle via stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve is a creative new approach for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy is commonly referred to as Inspire, a reference to the name of the company — Inspire Medical Systems — that developed the treatment, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2014.

Articles of Interest

A good night’s sleep, a long-sought dream for sleep apnea patients, may be in closer reach

A device that can be surgically implanted to stimulate the tongue has been showing promise since 2011. As someone who treats patients with obstructive sleep apnea, I see many patients who have had surgery but still suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and are looking for more options. Our study showed that new treatments that improve patient care for sleep apnea can be worth exploring.

A novel implantable device for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: clinical safety and feasibility

Many cases of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involve collapse of the tongue base and soft palate during sleep, causing occlusion of the upper airway and leading to oxygen desaturation. Existing therapies can be effective, but they are plagued by patient adherence issues and the invasiveness of surgical approaches. A new, minimally invasive implant for OSA has been developed, which is elastic and contracts a few weeks after deployment, stabilizing the surrounding soft tissue.

All About Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A hypoglossal nerve stimulator is an implantable device that can help improve your breathing while you sleep. But getting one doesn’t come without risks.

New Study Gives Hope To Sleep Apnea Sufferers Who Can't Tolerate CPAP

The FDA approved the Inspire® device for use in patients who are unresponsive to or intolerant of other treatments for OSA in 2014. “This device operates by generating electrical stimulation, which advances the tongue forward and opens the pharyngeal airway during respiration. It is made up of three implanted elements: a breathing sensor, a s

NHS begins treating sleep apnoea with pioneering chest implant

Small device already used in Europe and US works by making tongue contract and move out of windpipe.

Study Bolsters New Sleep Apnea Device

A possible alternative for people who can't tolerate the traditional CPAP.

Resources

Inspire

Inspire is the only FDA approved obstructive sleep apnea treatment that works inside your body to treat the root cause of sleep apnea with just the click of a button.

Remedē

The remedē System is a breakthrough implantable system that safely and effectively treats moderate to severe Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) in adult patients

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Implant

The hypoglossal nerve stimulation implant is a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in people who don’t tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The implantable device helps keep the airway open by stimulating the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the muscles that move your tongue. The hypoglossal nerve stimulation implant treats moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type. In sleep apnea, breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. These pauses can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, leading to low oxygen levels and disrupted sleep. Sleep apnea can sound like loud snoring, gasping, or choking during sleep. It can also cause daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.