New sleep apnea implant now available in West Michigan

Health

Aug 21

Claudell Cox, MD
Photo courtesy of Trinity Health

Trinity Health Muskegon and Trinity Health Grand Rapids are the first hospitals in West Michigan to offer the Inspire ® implant treatment to patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who haven’t responded well to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment. For these patients, Inspire therapy can provide life-changing relief and significantly improve sleep quality.

Craig Hoekzema, MD, an otolaryngologist with West Shore ENT & Allergy, performed the first Inspire V implant at Trinity Health Muskegon on July 17 and Claudell Cox, MD, an otolaryngologist with Michigan ENT & Allergy Specialists, performed the first Inspire V implant at Trinity Health Grand Rapids on July 28. Since then, Erin Kevern, DO, and Nicholas Cameron, DO, otolaryngologists with Michigan ENT & Allergy Specialists, have also treated patients with Inspire V.

Unlike CPAP machines, which require external masks and hoses, Inspire V is a small device implanted during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. Once implanted, it delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles to keep the airway open during sleep.

“Offering Inspire V allows us to better serve patients in our community who have struggled with the limitations of traditional sleep apnea treatments,” said Dr. Cox. “We are excited to provide this innovative advancement in upper airway stimulation technology.”

Inspire V is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and improves upon previous versions of Inspire with a simplified procedure, enhanced patient comfort settings and more efficient patient management.

“Patients can easily turn on the device each night using a handheld remote,” said Dr. Hoekzema. “No masks, no hoses, just better sleep.”

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that disables the ability to breathe while asleep and can last between several seconds to a couple minutes. Symptoms while asleep can include loud snoring, gasping or choking sounds, and frequently being woken up. Symptoms when awake can include a headache in the morning, a dry/sore throat in the morning, fatigue and tiredness throughout the day, and more.

With nearly 1 billion people between the ages of 30 and 69 affected worldwide, obstructive sleep apnea can result in high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, stroke, and other major health concerns.

West Michigan Newspop Digital Partners