Inspire Sleep Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

During obstructive sleep apnea episodes, the muscles and soft tissues of the throat relax and block the airway. Inspire is an FDA-approved implantable device that stabilizes a patient’s airway while they are sleeping to prevent obstruction. The device continuously monitors the patient’s breathing patterns and delivers mild stimulation to the airway muscles to keep the airway open during sleep.

What are the benefits of Inspire sleep therapy?
Inspire sleep therapy can help to reduce or, in some cases, cure sleep apnea while allowing individuals to sleep more peacefully. Inspire can help reduce the risk of several health problems caused by obstructive sleep apnea including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems. Patients who undergo Inspire sleep therapy have significant improvements like more energy, better mental health and weight loss.

Who is eligible for Inspire sleep therapy?
To be eligible for Inspire sleep therapy, individuals must have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, be unable to benefit from CPAP and must not be significantly obese. Potential candidates must undergo a sleep endoscopy at Saint Peter’s Center for Sleep and Breathing Disorders to determine final eligibility. To make an appointment with Saint Peter’s Center for Sleep and Breathing Disorders, please call 732.937.6055.

How is surgery for Inspire performed?
The Inspire sleep therapy procedure is performed by Kianoush Sheykholeslami, MD, PhD, FACS, chief of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and Head and Neck Surgery at Saint Peter’s, while patients are under general anesthesia. The implant is placed under the skin of the neck and chest through two small incisions. This is an outpatient surgical procedure with the possibility of a one-night stay in the hospital. Patients are typically able to resume their daily routines one week after the procedure.

Meet Dr. Shey


Kianoush Sheykholeslami, MD, PhD, FACS, otolaryngology-head and neck surgeon, is the chief of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. Dr. Shey, as he is known, is triple American Board certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Sleep Medicine and is a pre-Board candidate in Otology and Neurotology. Dr. Shey is one of the very few doctors in the tri-state area who is a dual board-certified sleep surgeon with the capability to offer state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgeries for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.