There are numerous types of surgical procedures for obstructive sleep apnea. The more useful ones involve modifying the breathing space behind the tongue. Clinical trials have now begun testing a new way of treating tongue collapse, using a nerve stimulator based on pacemaker technology. I'm honored to be part of an innovative, IRB approved, national multi-site study of this investigational device. Please take a look at this brochure for more information. 

Please contact me if you have any questions @ doctorpark@doctorstevenpark.com.

It turns out that this company’s been busy developing this product and is about to undergo clinical trials in Europe before trying it out here the US. The technology’s not new—it’s basically a nerve stimulation device that’s been used on other areas of the body before. In this case, activation of the rib cage muscles causes the device to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve, which tenses the genioglossus muscle of the tongue.

During non-REM deep sleep, all the muscles in the body relax partially, whereas in REM sleep, all the muscles are relaxed completely. In sleep apnea patients, this partial and total muscle relaxation leads to repeated obstructions and arousals. By sensing that the ribs are moving, it stimulates the tongue muscle, preventing eventual collapse of the throat tissues.

In the original Johns Hopkins article from 2001, eight patients underwent this procedures on one side of the tongue, and the AHI dropped from 52.0 to 22.6 in non REM sleep and 48.2 to 16.6 in REM sleep. The final results aren’t great, but significantly improved. Additional procedures may need to be performed, since the tongue isn’t the only area of obstruction.

If this procedure became available in the US, would you consider undergoing this procedure? Please enter your answers below in the comments box.