Inspire Medical Systems hypoglossal nerve stimulation, or HGNS, is a neuromodulation therapy for obstructive sleep apnea that utilizes the patient’s natural breathing process to treat airway obstruction. This hypoglossal nerve stimulation treatment is now available in Singapore through EasMed. This non-invasive option offers patients an alternative to CPAP or soft tissue surgery who haven’t responded to CPAP or are unwilling to use soft tissue surgery. With its low rate of complications and long-term efficacy for mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea, this non-invasive option may be perfect for them!

Getting Started

Before beginning Inspire, your doctor will first evaluate you for eligibility and refer you to a sleep medicine provider. A sleep study or drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) may be conducted to confirm your diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. If CPAP therapy is not improving symptoms after using CPAP, we may suggest this device as an option to help alleviate some of those symptoms.

The Procedure

Once you are eligible for Inspire Medical Systems Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation, our team will discuss the advantages and potential risks involved with this treatment. The procedure involves implanting a battery-operated device that includes a physician programmer, telemetry unit, and stimulator lead. The telemetry unit allows you to monitor the UAS system, adjust stimulation parameters as needed, as well as store your respiratory waveforms for later review.

The implantable pulse generator (IPG) is placed inside a pocket at the right infraclavicular region and connected to sensors and stimulation leads. The IPG contains an algorithm that syncs hypoglossal nerve stimulation with respiration signals; it can be adjusted according to each patient’s requirements.

Placement of the Stimulation Lead

To place the stimulator lead, we make an incision 3 cm below the inferior border of the mandible and attach the stimulation electrode on hypoglossal nerve to stimulate tongue protrusion function. After placing this lead in place, we will identify and separate protruding branches of this nerve from retracting ones.

Once we’ve separated the branches of the hypoglossal nerve, we can attach a stimulator lead to its protruding fibers and connect it to an implantable pulse generator (IPG). Finally, this IPG is secured within its pocket using a titanium case.

Activation and Education

After implant, the stimulator is activated by an impulse generator controlled via hand-held remote. For the first month after implantation, patients are advised to use their device nightly and gradually increase stimulation level within a certain range. At the end of that first month, polysomnography is completed to officially titrate stimulation parameters.

Inspire Medical Systems

Inspire Medical Systems hypoglossal nerve stimulation is an FDA-approved treatment for people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea who struggle to get consistent benefits from CPAP therapy. This minimally invasive solution for moderate to severe cases of sleep apnea has proven safe and well tolerated by users.

Inspire Medical Systems Hypoglossal Neuromodulation is performed by a board-certified otolaryngologist experienced in this device placement. It’s an outpatient surgery that typically heals within 30 days. You can contact EasMed Singapore for more details of hypoglossal nerve stimulation.