A Cedar Rapids-based ear, nose and throat surgeon is among the first in the country – and the only in the Midwest – to offer a new generation of implantable therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Dr. Thomas Heineman of Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa (PCI) Ear, Nose and Throat was recently selected to implant the Inspire V system, the latest version of the Inspire therapy device, which provides an alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. Inspire therapy, first approved by the FDA in 2014, uses a small implant to stimulate airway muscles during sleep, helping to prevent the breathing interruptions that characterize sleep apnea.
The Inspire V system has been available exclusively at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital and Surgery Center Cedar Rapids since late January. As of mid-May, 11 patients have received the new device.
According to the National Institutes of Health, obstructive sleep apnea affects between 2 and 4 percent of adults. The condition occurs when the soft tissues in the throat collapse during sleep, blocking the airway and causing repeated interruptions in breathing.
Dr. Heineman said the new Inspire V system simplifies the surgical process by eliminating the need to implant a separate sensing lead. “Inspire V simplifies the procedure and allows us to help more patients with fewer steps,” he said.
The device is implanted during an outpatient procedure and is controlled by a small remote that patients use to activate the system at night and turn it off in the morning.
Individuals experiencing symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are encouraged to consult their primary care physician about potential treatment options.
