People with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) now have access to a safe, effective treatment alternative to the traditional Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, the Inspire VTM system.
Holy Name is offering this next-generation implantable device, which features the latest neurostimulator technology, a Bluetooth remote for patients, and an updated programmer for physicians.
As of 2024, an estimated 83.7 million U.S. adults — about 32.4% of people aged 20 and older — have obstructive sleep apnea, according to scienceinsights.org
For those living with OSA, the muscles in the back of their throat and tongue collapse during sleep, blocking airflow and causing repeated pauses in breathing. These breathing interruptions disturb sleep, preventing quality rest. Left untreated, OSA can increase the risk of serious health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression and reduced life expectancy.
The Inspire V system is implanted under the skin near the patient’s collarbone during an outpatient procedure. The system features a streamlined design that streamlines the procedure. Its integrated respiratory sensor eliminates the need for a separate sensing lead, allowing the device to detect breathing patterns directly from within the implant.
The device works by sending gentle electrical pulses to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movement, causing the tongue to move forward. This keeps the patient’s airway open while sleeping, reducing apnea events and improving sleep quality.
“There are several treatments to help manage sleep apnea, including CPAP, though not everyone can tolerate this approach, as well as oral devices, medication and lifestyle changes,” said Dr. Rosemary B. Ojo, a board-certified otolaryngologist at Holy Name.
“With Inspire V therapy, we have a cutting-edge treatment to offer obstructive sleep apnea patients. It is clinically proven to reduce sleep apnea events, has a high level of patient satisfaction and delivers improved outcomes.”
Patients should speak with their primary care provider to determine eligibility for Inspire therapy and participate in a sleep study, which can now be done remotely from the comfort of their own home. At Holy Name, an otolaryngologist implants the device and works closely with the patient’s pulmonologist and sleep center team to coordinate post-procedure care.
Holy Name is New Jersey’s only independent Catholic health system, comprising a 361-bed acute care hospital, a cancer center, a residential hospice and a nursing school.
