Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Implantable device for sleep apnea studied

March 29, 2011 By Katy Cosse

The National Institutes of Health estimates one in 10 adults over 65 (a total of 18 million Americans) suffers from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder in which obstruction in the upper airway can lead to interrupted breathing and sleep. In OSA, the tongue and other tissues of the throat obstruct the airway during sleep, blocking breathing for sometimes up to a minute. These events can occur multiple times throughout the night and severe OSA has been linked with increased risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and accidents resulting from daytime drowsiness. This spring, two UC researchers are collaborating in an international, multi-center trial on an investigational device for treatment of OSA. The STAR (Stimulation Therapy for Apnea Reduction) trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy in patients with moderate to severe OSA. The UAS therapy, manufactured by Inspire Medical Systems, is an implantable device designed to prevent airway obstruction during sleep. The device, implanted near the clavicle, is connected to a stimulation lead positioned near the airway. There, the lead delivers timed, mild stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve on each breathing cycle.

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