The Latest Sleep Apnea Devices – Everything You Need to Know

While CPAP is one of the most effective treatments for sleep apnea, many patients stop using their machines within a year.  Good news, they’re now plenty of alternatives you can try. 

The latest sleep apnea devices include more comfortable face masks, body positioners, innovative nerve stimulators, and surgically implanted suspension lines.

Here’s a more in depth look at your CPAP alternatives:

AIR PRESSURE TREATMENTS

Pros:

Cons:

Recent news: 
ResMed Introduces AirFit N30, World’s First Tube-Down Nasal Cradle CPAP Mask

Video:  Provent Therapy demonstration

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Video: How aerSleep Works

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Video:  Night Shift Introduction

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Video:  NightBalance Overview

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Video:  New treatment for Sleep Apnea (CNN)

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How it works:  Monitors and stabilizes breathing during the night using a pacemaker-like device that signals the large muscle which controls breathing.

Recommended for:  moderate to severe central sleep apnea in adult patients

Proof it works:  clinical studies (7, 8)

Video:  remedē system helps patients with central sleep apnea at Saint Luke’s Hospital

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How it works:  Implantable device that mildly stimulates the tongue during the sleep to keep the airway open and reduce sleep apnea events

Recommended for:  obstructive sleep apnea

Proof it works:  clinical studies (9, 10)

Pros:

• minimally invasive, surgically implanted system usually as an outpatient procedure with quick recovery time
• procedure is completely reversible
• no masks, hoses, or mouthpieces

Cons:   requires surgery, although minimal (all surgeries carry a risk)

Availability:  In clinical trials
See if you qualify to participate

Cost:  To be determined

Insurance coverage:  To be determined

Made by:  LivaNova
Phone:  858-259-2980
Learn more

Recent news:
Therapy Update: Implanted Neurostimulators for Sleep Apnea

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SUSPENSION LINES

How it works:  Uses suspension lines to reposition the hyoid bone or tongue to hold the airway open

Recommended for:  obstructive sleep apnea

Proof it works:  clinical studies (see “Publications”)

Pros:

• minimally invasive, well-tolerated
• reversible
• can be performed in an outpatient setting
• no mask or oral appliance to wear

Cons:

• surgery
• requires implant of screws and sutures which some may find intrusive or uncomfortable

Availability:  US

      Find an AIRLIFT trained Doctor

Insurance coverage:  yes

Made by:  Siesta Medical, Inc
     Phone: 408-320-9424
     E-mail: [email protected]
     Learn more

Recent news:

Surgery a new tool in fight against sleep apnea

Siesta Medical’s Encore™ System Receives Broad Obstructive Sleep Apnea Clearance

Video:  AirLift Procedure

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You may also be interested in:

15 things to try if CPAP is stressing you out

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More about CPAP

How to get help for your sleep apnea if you don’t have insurance

Can sleep counseling help with sleep apnea? – Why it can and how to get started

Sources:

1. A novel nasal expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) device for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial. Sleep. 2011; 34(4):479-85.

2. Nasal Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure Devices (Provent) for OSA: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sleep Disord. 2015; 2015: 734798.

3. Evaluation of Continuous Negative External Pressure (cNEP) for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Pilot Study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017; 13(8):1009-1012.

4. A multicenter evaluation of oral pressure therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep Med. 2013 Sep;14(9):830-7.

5. Assessment of a neck-based treatment and monitoring device for positional obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2014; 10(8):863-71.

6. Outcome after one year of upper airway stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea in a multicenter German post-market study. Laryngoscope. 2018; 128(2):509-515

7. Sustained 12 Month Benefit of Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for Central Sleep Apnea. Am J Cardiol. 2018; 121(11):1400-1408.

8. Transvenous neurostimulation for central sleep apnoea: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2016; 388(10048):974-82.

9. Targeted hypoglossal nerve stimulation for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: Six-month results. Laryngoscope. 2016; 126(11):2618-2623.

10. Targeted hypoglossal neurostimulation for obstructive sleep apnoea: a 1-year pilot study. Eur Respir J. 2013; 41(2):360-7.

11. Weight loss for obstructive sleep apnea: the optimal therapy for obese patients. J Am Diet Assoc. 1994; 94(11):1291-5.

12. Alcohol and the risk of sleep apnoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med. 2018; 42: 38–46.

13. Interaction between smoking and obstructive sleep apnea: not just participants. Chin Med J (Engl). 2012; 125(17):3150-6.

14. The role of sleep position in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2006; 263(10):946-50.