LivaNova - Model THN - Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Sleep Apnea Implant Therapy - A CPAP Alternative: LivaNova THN Sleep Therapy is an implantable therapy for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a very serious condition that affects millions of patients worldwide and occurs when the muscles in your airway relax during sleep, causing your airway to narrow or close as you breath in depriving your brain of oxygen. This sleep apnea implant delivers therapy through neurostimulation technology and was specifically designed to deliver muscle tone to key tongue muscles, effectively controlling upper airway flow and significantly reducing or eliminating sleep apnea. THN Sleep Therapy is indicated for patients with moderate to severe OSA who are unable or unwilling to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
- It is a debilitating, often life-threatening sleep disorder.
- OSA is extremely common. Prevalence is similar to diabetes or asthma.
- Over 100 million people worldwide suffer from OSA, of which only 25% are currently being treated.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device is the established therapy.
- Loss of tongue muscle tone during sleep causes the obstruction in most patients with OSA.
- More than 5 million patients own CPAP machines in North America.
- Studies have shown that more than 46% do not comply with CPAP.
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart failure, irregular heartbeats and heart attacks
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Worsening of ADHD
- Headaches
- Poor performance in everyday activities
- Motor vehicle crashes
THN Sleep Therapy consists of an innovative, CPAP-alternative, fully implantable device called the aura6000™, which treats obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by delivering mild stimulation to the tongue during sleep, hence significantly reducing or eliminating sleep apnea events. The aura6000™ system is totally implanted, which means that there are no masks, hoses, mouthpieces or anything else connected to the patient during sleep.
A THN system looks and operates much like a cardiac pacemaker— except that instead of sending pulses to the heart, it sends mild pulses to the hypoglossal nerve in the neck. In fact, the aura6000™ acts like a "pacemaker for the tongue" with the objective of keeping the airway open throughout the night.
Implanted
The aura6000 Implant: a rechargeable battery-powered computer that generates mild stimulation pulses
The Lead: a cable that carries those pulses to the hypoglossal nerve
The Handheld: a remote control that allows patients to start, stop or pause therapy, and to charge the implant
THN Sleep Therapy consists of a minimally invasive, surgically implanted system for patients that suffer from moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The procedure to implant this "sleep apnea pacemaker" is performed by an ENT surgeon, usually as an outpatient procedure with quick recovery time.
THN Sleep Therapy benefits include:
- The Restoration of Normal Sleep Patterns: Designed to deliver muscle tone to key tongue muscles, effectively controlling upper airway flow and significantly reducing or eliminating sleep apnea;
- A Simple Procedure: It`s less invasive than conventional sleep apnea surgeries, preserving the natural airway anatomy. And the procedure is completely reversible;
- The Freedom to Sleep: There are no masks, hoses, mouthpieces or anything else connected to the patient during sleep;
- CPAP Alternative: Indicated for people with moderate and severe sleep apnea, who are unable to comply or unwilling to try PAP therapy;
- No Side Effects: It doesn’t affect normal speech or swallowing.