Morton Hospital is now offering upper airway stimulation therapy “Inspire,” a breakthrough obstructive sleep apnea treatment option for those who cannot use or tolerate Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Morton Hospital is the first in the region to offer this treatment option, which involves an FDA-approved implantable device that prevents airway obstruction during sleep. The program is led by Ameer Shah, MD, otolaryngology specialist and director of the hospital’s Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation Therapy Program, as well as Imad Bahhady, MD, pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine specialist, who serves as the medical director of the hospital’s Center for Sleep Medicine. The specialists work collaboratively to determine patient eligibility, develop personalized care plans, and provide pre- and post-implant care to ensure a successful outcome for each patient.

“In our practice we see many patients who have stopped using or are unable to tolerate CPAP,” said Dr. Bahhady. “Inspire represents a significant advancement in treating sleep apnea. It is clinically proven to reduce sleep apnea events, has a high level of patient satisfaction and a high therapy adherence. We are excited and fortunate to offer this promising therapy to sleep apnea patients who struggle with CPAP.”

Inspire works inside the body with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea. Mild stimulation opens the airway during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. The patient uses a small handheld remote to turn the device on before bed and off when they wake up.

The safety and efficacy of the therapy was evaluated during the STAR clinical trial. Five-year STAR trial outcomes show patients using Inspire experience significant reductions in sleep apnea events and significant improvements in quality-of-life measures.

Learn more about Inspire. To request a consultation, please call Dr. Shah’s office at 508-880-3460.