A new sleep apnea treatment involves inserting an electrical device into chest muscle fibers, St. Cloud Times reports.
The Inspire Therapy is a simple, same-day surgery that inserts a small electrical device in the chest muscle fibers. The device sends electrodes to a pulse generator near the clavicle. The device senses when a patient breathes in, stimulating a nerve in the tongue that causes it to fall back and leave the airway unobstructed.
“People living with moderate to severe sleep apnea are chronically fatigued — they are irritable, often have headaches and all the things that go with poor sleep quality,” Hanson said. “Patients get eight hours of sleep but feel like they get five hours of sleep. I wanted to do whatever I could to help find a better cure.”
After 25 years of private practice, Hanson ventured back into the research realm. He worked on cadavers at the University of Minnesota.
Hanson completed his undergrad at St. Cloud State University, graduate studies at the University of Minnesota and residency at the Mayo Clinic.
“It was exciting to get back into clinical research,” Hanson said. “To be involved in something like this rejuvenates your enthusiasm for what you do. It adds another layer to the private practice life.”
All nine of Hanson’s test patients reported positive changes after receiving Inspire Therapy treatment.
