Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Adopts Inspire Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Adolescent Sleep Apnea
To address this gap, institutions like Children’s Hospital Los Angeles have made the device available since July 2025, following their collaboration to deliver the treatment to eligible adolescent patients.
FDA Approves Nerve Stimulator for Down Syndrome Patients
Candidates must also meet several mandatory clinical checkpoints before receiving the implant. Patients must have failed to see adequate improvement after adenotonsillectomy surgery, cannot tolerate CPAP therapy, and must complete drug-induced sleep endoscopy and polysomnography evaluations to verify anatomical suitability. Individuals who cannot tolerate the initial diagnostic studies required for surgical mapping are excluded from candidacy.
Surgeons Implant Device in Chest and Neck
The system is placed during a three-hour outpatient surgical procedure. Patients typically return home the following day, and clinicians activate the system six weeks postoperatively. Families receive a handheld remote to turn the device on at bedtime and deactivate it upon waking.
Clinical Teams Adjust Electrical Signals After Implantation
The clinical team utilizes post-implantation sleep studies to determine the proper level of electrical signal required to activate the hypoglossal nerve.
Implant Decreases Obstructive Sleep Events by 50% to 70%
Dr. Debra Don noted that the young patients who have received the implant have reported very positive experiences. Dr. Sally Ward emphasized that reducing the severity of the condition dramatically improves quality of life for these patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inspire Therapy for Down Syndrome
What specific age and weight parameters govern Inspire device eligibility for adolescents?
The device is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for patients with Down syndrome who are at least 13 years old and meet specific device manufacturer weight requirements. Candidates must also present an apnea-hypopnea index between 10 and 50.
How long does the internal battery last before requiring replacement?
The internal battery maintains a functional lifespan of 10 to 11 years before requiring a replacement procedure, which involves a single small surgical incision.
What happens if a patient needs to get up during the night while the device is active?
Families can use the handheld remote to pause the device for 15 minutes if the teen needs to get up during the night. The system features an automatic 10-hour shutoff to prevent unnecessary daytime discharge.
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