Holy Name Medical Center has announced the availability of the Inspire V™ system, a next-generation treatment for patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who are unable to tolerate traditional Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.
For the estimated 30 million Americans living with OSA, the condition involves the collapse of throat muscles and the tongue during sleep, resulting in frequent breathing pauses. When left untreated, these interruptions are linked to serious health complications, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression.
While CPAP remains a common treatment, the Inspire V™ system offers a new, implantable alternative. The device is placed under the skin near the collarbone during an outpatient procedure. Its streamlined design features an integrated respiratory sensor that detects breathing patterns directly from within the implant, eliminating the need for separate sensing leads.
The device monitors a patient’s breathing while they sleep. When it detects a pause, it sends gentle electrical pulses to the hypoglossal nerve—the nerve that controls tongue movement. This signal causes the tongue to move forward, effectively keeping the airway open throughout the night.
“With Inspire V therapy, we have a cutting-edge treatment to offer obstructive sleep apnea patients,” Dr. Rosemary Ojo, a board-certified otolaryngologist at Holy Name, said. “It is clinically proven to reduce sleep apnea events, has a high level of patient satisfaction, and delivers improved outcomes.”
Patients interested in the therapy should consult with their primary care provider to determine eligibility. The initial evaluation includes a sleep study, which Holy Name now facilitates through remote, at-home options for added patient convenience.
Once a patient is cleared for the procedure, a Holy Name otolaryngologist implants the device. The hospital’s multidisciplinary team, including pulmonologists and sleep center specialists, then works closely with the patient to manage post-procedure care and fine-tune the system’s performance.
