Operative technique of upper airway stimulation: an implantable treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

The low success rates for current surgical treatments for obstructive sleep apnea highlight the need for new methods for treating the disorder. This manuscript describes the novel Inspire upper airway stimulation method that through stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve leads to concomitant contraction of the innervated tongue protrusor musculature and increased airway patency. Three components, a stimulating electrode lead, an implantable pulse generator, and a respiration sensing lead, are surgically implanted at 3 separate sites. Detailed descriptions of the surgical method and accompanying illustrations clarify the procedure. Finally, the protocols for activating and titrating the system are detailed. Preliminary clinical investigations on carefully selected patients suggest that the Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation system is an efficacious therapy for treating obstructive sleep apnea.