Inspire Candidate Qualification
Understand the medical criteria, requirements, and assessment process to determine if you're a candidate for Inspire therapy.
Only candidates who have failed or cannot tolerate CPAP therapy after adequate trial are eligible for Inspire therapy evaluation.
Primary Qualification Criteria
All of these criteria must be met for Inspire therapy candidacy. Your sleep specialist will evaluate each requirement during your consultation.
Sleep Apnea Severity
Documented moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis
Age Requirement
Must be adult patient with mature airway anatomy
CPAP Treatment History
Unable to use or benefit from CPAP therapy after adequate trial
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Weight requirement for optimal therapy effectiveness
Airway Anatomy
Suitable upper airway collapse pattern confirmed by DISE
Treatment Commitment
Willing to use device nightly and follow up with physician
Detailed Requirements Breakdown
Sleep Study Requirements
AHI Criteria (Required)
- AHI ≥15 events per hour (moderate sleep apnea)
- AHI ≤65 events per hour (upper limit for effectiveness)
- Predominantly obstructive events (not central)
Additional Sleep Metrics
- Sleep efficiency and architecture assessment
- Oxygen desaturation index evaluation
- Arousal index and sleep fragmentation review
CPAP Failure Documentation
Inadequate CPAP Response
- Residual AHI >10 despite optimal CPAP pressure
- Persistent symptoms despite CPAP compliance
- Central apneas emerging on CPAP therapy
CPAP Intolerance
- Usage <4 hours per night for 5+ nights per week
- Claustrophobia or mask intolerance
- Skin irritation or pressure sores from mask
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE)
DISE is a required procedure to evaluate your upper airway anatomy and collapse patterns while you're in a sleep-like state. This determines anatomical suitability for Inspire therapy.
Favorable DISE Findings
- Lateral or anterior-posterior collapse at soft palate
- Base of tongue or lateral pharyngeal wall collapse
- Epiglottic collapse patterns
Unfavorable DISE Findings
- Complete concentric collapse at soft palate level
- Severe multilevel collapse patterns
- Fixed anatomical obstructions
Contraindications & Exclusions
These conditions may prevent candidacy for Inspire therapy or require careful evaluation by your sleep specialist.
Absolute Contraindications
Central or mixed sleep apnea
Inspire only treats obstructive sleep apnea
Complete concentric collapse at soft palate
Anatomy not suitable for therapy effectiveness
BMI greater than 35 kg/m²
Reduced effectiveness with higher BMI
Relative Contraindications
Active psychiatric disease preventing compliance
Requires nightly device use and follow-up
Life expectancy less than therapy benefit period
Cost-benefit considerations
Pregnancy
Safety not established during pregnancy
Candidacy Assessment Process
Initial Consultation
Sleep specialist reviews medical history, sleep study results, CPAP trial documentation, and performs physical examination focusing on upper airway anatomy.
DISE Procedure
Drug-induced sleep endoscopy performed to evaluate airway collapse patterns and determine anatomical suitability for hypoglossal nerve stimulation.
Multidisciplinary Review
Sleep medicine team reviews all findings, discusses candidacy with patient, and provides comprehensive education about therapy expectations and outcomes.
Treatment Decision
If candidate criteria are met, patient and physician make shared decision about proceeding with Inspire therapy implantation and develop treatment plan.
Important Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.Only a board-certified sleep medicine physician can determine your candidacy for Inspire therapy through comprehensive medical evaluation.
Candidacy assessment requires review of complete medical history, sleep study data, CPAP trial documentation, physical examination, and DISE procedure results. Individual patient factors may affect qualification beyond the standard criteria listed.
Content medically reviewed and FDA-compliant. Last review: 8/24/2025
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