UC Health to use new FDA-approved technology for sleep apnea
Sleep apnea affects roughly 22 million Americans
UC Health will be one of the first places in the country to treat sleep apnea with an implantable device.
Sleep apnea affects roughly 22 million Americans and occurs when heavy breathing during sleep collapses the airway repeatedly.
“Similar to what happens to a thin straw when one tries to suck a thick milkshake through, it just collapses,” Dr. Victoria Surdulescu, with UC Health, said.
The new technology, manufactured by Inspire Medical Systems, works much like a pacemaker. It's implanted in the chest just under the skin. It sends an electrical pulse to the tongue when a patient breathes. That pulse triggers the airway to open up, allowing the patient to breathe.
Gary Klare participated in an international study for the device. He tested it during a two-year trial.
One of just 126 in the world, and seven in Cincinnati, Klare told WLWT News 5 traditional therapies, like sleep masks, were uncomfortable for him.
Two-thirds of the people in the study reportedly saw a 70 percent reduction in sleep apnea. Klare said his results were even better.
“My apnea improved by 100 percent,” Klare said.
UC Health is one of 20 locations nationwide that will have access to the device now that the Food and Drug Administration has approved.
It is more expensive than most traditional treatments for sleep apnea.
To find out if you qualify for the implant, talk to your doctor.