08/22/2026
Congratulations to Dr. Justin Graff, ENT, and his team as they have performed the organization's first Inspire Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator implantation surgery! The surgery was performed at Summit Medical Center.
Inspire is a small, fully implantable device used to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike a CPAP machine, which uses a mask and air pressure to keep the airway open, Inspire uses gentle nerve stimulation instead. During a short outpatient procedure, a small device is placed under the skin in the chest along with a thin lead that gently stimulates the hypoglossal nerveโthe nerve that controls tongue movement. Each night, the patient turns the device on with a handheld remote before going to sleep. As they breathe, the device delivers gentle stimulation that moves the tongue forward, helping keep the airway open and preventing the pauses in breathing that occur with sleep apnea.
CPAP remains a highly effective, first-line treatment for many patients with sleep apnea. However, some patients have difficulty tolerating it long-term due to mask discomfort, air leakage, or trouble sleeping with the equipment. For patients who haven't found success with CPAP or aren't good candidates for other treatments, Inspire offers a mask-free therapy that works automatically with the patient's own breathing while they sleep, which many patients find more comfortable and easier to stick with.
Dr. Graff comments, "Bringing the Inspire device to MHCC and Summit is a significant step forward for our patients with obstructive sleep apnea. For those who struggle with using CPAP, having access to an implantable therapy that works with their own breathing provides a comfortable, mask-free path to a better night's sleep and improved overall health. This is an exciting milestone for our surgical program and, most importantly, expands the options available to our community."
(Photo Caption) Left to Right: Sierra Harrison - Inspire Representative, Justin Graff, MD - Surgeon, Toni Harms, MS, FNP-C - Surgical Assistant, Allison Sommerville - Scrub Tech, Angela Juarez - Circulating Nurse
Inspire Sleep Apnea Innovation
