Physicians are conducting a research study at Froedtert Hospital to assess an innovative, minimally invasive, implantable device as a treatment for sleep apnea.
B. Tucker Woodson, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin otolaryngologist, is principal investigator for this multi-institutional national study. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a small device that is implanted under the chin for the purpose of opening the airway and reducing or eliminating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
This device is implanted during a brief surgical procedure. Later, it is individually adjusted, as needed, for each individual patient, to reduce or stop collapse and open the airway. The most common symptom of OSA is loud snoring and daytime sleepiness or fatigue.
“Many of the current treatments of sleep apnea are too poorly tolerated or too invasive,” says Woodson. “Since this device can be implanted during a minor surgical procedure and is later adjusted for each individual, side effects and complications may be very low. If successful, such devices may revolutionize surgical treatment of the disease.”
The study is being supported by Aspire Medical of Sunnyvale, Calif., developers of the Advance System.
