New Device Replaces CPAP for First Patient at Norman Regional

Steven Sheriff, a Norman Regional employee, became the first patient in the health system to receive the Inspire® implant, an innovative alternative to the traditional continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for treating sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. There are two main types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). OSA occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway, while CSA happens when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Common signs and symptoms include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Daytime drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Loud snoring or gasping for air during sleep

“Untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart diseases and stroke,” said Skyler Hunter, RPSGT, supervisor of Oklahoma Sleep Associates. “If a patient is experiencing any symptoms or has already been diagnosed with high blood pressure, heart diseases or stroke they should be checked out by a sleep specialist or their primary care provider.”

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine. It delivers steady air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. However, many users find CPAP machines uncomfortable and may stop using them or look for alternative treatments.

Steven Sheriff’s Sleep Story

After weeks of struggling with fatigue and restless nights, Steven Sheriff scheduled a sleep study at Norman Regional’s Oklahoma Sleep Associates. His results confirmed a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

Like many patients, he was prescribed a CPAP machine. However, he found it uncomfortable, invasive and difficult to maintain over the years, challenges that led him to seek a better solution.

“There were many nights I’d wake up, take off the CPAP mask, and choose to sleep without it,” Sheriff said. “I almost always preferred being comfortable, even if it meant risking a sleep apnea complication, over struggling to make the CPAP work for me.”

Looking for a more comfortable and less intrusive option, he consulted his physician. That’s when he learned about the Inspire® implant, offered at Norman Regional.

After researching the procedure and completing another sleep study to confirm he qualified, his surgery was scheduled.

His out-patient procedure was quick, lasting 90 minutes from pre-op to post-op. Just 30 days after surgery day, he turned on the implant and programmed it to function with his regular sleep schedule.

“Getting the Inspire® implant changed my life,” Sheriff said. “Sleep no longer feels like a chore. I just turn on the implant, go to bed, and wake up feeling like myself again.”

The Inspire® implant has given him the freedom to sleep comfortably, free of masks and hoses, restoring his sleep to what it was before his diagnosis.

The Inspire® Implant

The Inspire® implant is an innovative treatment option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea who consult with their physician and meet the qualifications for the procedure.

Unlike traditional CPAP machines, Inspire® offers a mask-free, hose-free solution, making sleep apnea treatment far less intrusive. To be eligible, patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of obstructive sleep apneaand be evaluated by a sleep specialist.

The implant, roughly two inches by two inches, is surgically placed in the right side of the chest. About 30 days after surgery, patients can activate the device and control it with a simple handheld remote, allowing them to schedule when it turns on and off each night.

“It is a hypoglossal nerve stimulator that is implanted into a patient’s chest. There is a small wire the runs up to the base of the hypoglossal nerve,” said Hunter. “Once the patient falls asleep the Inspire® will activate and pull the tongue slightly forward to keep the airway open.”

Key Inspire® results:

• 90% of bed partners report little to no snoring
• 93% of patients would recommend Inspire to others
• 79% see a reduction in sleep apnea events
• 91% say Inspire therapy is better than CPAP

If you or someone you know is dealing with sleep apnea, experiencing symptoms or exploring treatment options, the team at Oklahoma Sleep Associates is here to help. From thorough sleep studies to the Inspire® implant, we offer a range of options to help you sleep better. To schedule a sleep study or make an appointment, please call 405-307-5337.