Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital Completes 50 Inspire® Implant Procedures, Advancing Sleep Apnea Treatment
April 17, 2025
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LCRH) is proud to announce a major milestone in sleep apnea treatment, as Dr. Andrew Vaughn, Otolaryngologist, has successfully performed 50 Inspire® implant procedures.
Inspire® therapy is a long-term, mask-free1 solution for people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who have tried and struggled with CPAP. When those with OSA sleep, their tongue relaxes into a position that blocks their airway which then causes them to wake up to take a breath. If left untreated, the lack of quality sleep adds up and can lead to serious health risks and harm overall quality of life.2
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital is proud to offer Inspire therapy as a proven, safe and effective solution. Inspire therapy syncs with patients’ natural breathing pattern, working comfortably3 to keep airways open during sleep, allowing for regular breathing and improved sleep quality.4
The procedure consists of two small incisions. One is in the upper chest where the Inspire implant and breathing sensors are placed. The second is under the chin, where the nerve that controls the airway muscles, including the tongue, is located. Inspire therapy delivers gentle pulses to move the tongue forward and keep the airway open. When the airway is open, patients are able to breathe regularly and sleep better.4 Patients can easily activate their therapy using a small handheld Inspire™ remote. No mask or hose is required.
At Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, Inspire® therapy is part of a customized, multidisciplinary approach to sleep apnea care. Dr. Sandy Schuldheisz, a board-certified pulmonary/sleep physician, plays a key role in the Inspire treatment process. Dr. Schuldheisz evaluates patients for Inspire therapy, ensuring they are appropriate candidates before referring them to Dr. Vaughn for the procedure. The activation and adjustment of the Inspire device are tailored to each patient's unique sleep patterns and needs, making a close collaboration between physicians essential for achieving a high success rate. Following the procedure, Dr. Schuldheisz continues to manage patients’ long-term care, optimizing their treatment plans to ensure the best possible outcomes.
As part of the comprehensive care process, patients visit the Lake Cumberland Sleep Disorders Center following their Inspire procedure for a titration study, which fine-tunes therapy settings to maximize effectiveness. This ensures that each patient receives personalized, optimized therapy for long-term success.
“We are excited to have completed 50 Inspire therapy procedures at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital.” said Carolyn Sparks, CEO. “Inspire therapy represents a significant advancement in treating sleep apnea. It is clinically proven to reduce sleep apnea events, has a high level of patient satisfaction and a high therapy adherence.”
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital remains dedicated to offering innovative solutions to improve the health and well-being of the community. To learn more about these services, visit LakeCumberlandHospital.com/ear-nose-throat.