How Inspire Therapy Works
Understanding the innovative upper airway stimulation technology that's helping thousands of people breathe better and sleep peacefully without CPAP.
See How Inspire Works in Action
Watch this educational animation to understand exactly how Inspire therapy stimulates your airway muscles to keep your breathing passage open during sleep.
How Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation Works
3-minute educational animation · Medically accurate content
Three Key Device Components
The Inspire system consists of three small, implantable components that work together to monitor your breathing and stimulate your airway muscles.
Generator (IPG)
The main device that controls therapy delivery and monitors system function
Breathing Sensor Lead
Monitors natural breathing patterns and respiratory cycles
Stimulation Lead
Delivers gentle stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve
The Four-Step Therapy Process
Every night while you sleep, Inspire therapy follows a precise sequence to keep your airway open and ensure uninterrupted breathing.
Breathing Detection
Sensor monitors your natural breathing rhythm
The breathing sensor lead continuously monitors the movement of your chest wall and detects when you begin to inhale. This natural breathing pattern serves as the trigger for the entire therapy sequence.
Signal Processing
Generator processes breathing information in real-time
The implantable pulse generator (IPG) receives signals from the breathing sensor and processes this information using sophisticated algorithms to determine the optimal timing and intensity of stimulation.
Nerve Stimulation
Gentle electrical pulses stimulate the hypoglossal nerve
At precisely the right moment in your breathing cycle, the stimulation lead delivers mild electrical pulses to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the movement of your tongue and other key airway muscles.
Airway Opening
Tongue and airway muscles move forward, opening the airway
The stimulation causes your tongue to move forward and stabilizes other airway muscles, preventing them from collapsing and blocking your airway during sleep. This maintains an open breathing passage.
Continuous Therapy Cycle
Detect
Process
Stimulate
Open
This cycle repeats with every breath, all night long, automatically
Why This Technology Works
Inspire therapy's unique approach addresses the root cause of obstructive sleep apnea with precision, comfort, and reliability.
Synchronized with Breathing
Works with your natural respiratory rhythm for comfortable therapy
Personalized Settings
Customizable stimulation levels tailored to your specific needs
Simple Control
Easy-to-use remote control for turning therapy on and off
No External Equipment
All components are internal - no masks, hoses, or bedside machines
Proven Clinical Effectiveness
Extensive clinical trials demonstrate that Inspire therapy's mechanism of action effectively treats moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in appropriate candidates.
STAR Trial Results
- 79% reduction in sleep apnea events (AHI)
- 68% improvement in daytime sleepiness
- 94% of patients satisfied with therapy
- 90% of bed partners report better sleep
5-Year Follow-up Data
Long-term studies show sustained effectiveness and high patient satisfaction rates, with continued improvement in quality of life measures over time.
How It Compares
CPAP
Compliance Rate
Oral Appliance
Effectiveness
Inspire
Satisfaction Rate
Key Advantages
- No masks or equipment to wear
- Works automatically during sleep
- Travel-friendly design
- High long-term compliance
Technical Specifications
Understanding the technical aspects of Inspire therapy helps explain its safety profile and effectiveness.
Device Specifications
- Battery Life
- 11+ years typical
- Generator Size
- ~5.5 cm diameter
- Weight
- ~28 grams
- MRI Compatible
- 1.5T and 3.0T systems
- Remote Control Range
- ~3 feet
- Warranty
- 3 years full coverage
Therapy Parameters
- Stimulation Frequency
- 20 Hz
- Pulse Width
- 90 μs
- Amplitude Range
- 0.1 - 5.1 mA
- Therapy Delay
- 0-60 seconds
- Ramp Time
- 0-60 minutes
- Auto-Adjustment
- AdaptiveStim™ feature
Safety and Considerations
How Stimulation Feels
- Most patients don't feel the stimulation during sleep
- Mild tingling sensation when awake (normal)
- Adjustable settings for comfort optimization
Important Precautions
- MRI requires device programming changes
- Some medical procedures may require temporary pause
- Regular follow-up appointments are essential
Learn More About Inspire Therapy
Ready to explore if this innovative technology could be right for you? Discover more about candidacy, the procedure, and what to expect.
Am I a Candidate?
Learn about the qualification criteria and assessment process for Inspire therapy.
Procedure & Recovery
Understand the implantation procedure and what to expect during recovery.
Take Assessment
Start your journey with our comprehensive sleep apnea and candidacy assessment.
Important Medical Information
This educational content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.The Inspire upper airway stimulation system is indicated for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in patients who have tried and failed or cannot tolerate CPAP therapy.
Candidates must meet specific criteria including AHI between 15-65, BMI ≤35, and complete concentric collapse must be absent at the soft palate. Only a qualified sleep medicine specialist can determine candidacy through comprehensive evaluation including drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE).
All medical content has been reviewed for accuracy and FDA compliance. For complete prescribing information, visit inspiresleep.com. Last medical review: 8/24/2025
Ready to Experience Freedom from CPAP?
Now that you understand how Inspire works, take the next step to determine if this innovative therapy could be right for you.
All consultations are covered by most major insurance plans