Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS)

What is Inspire Therapy?

Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) is the only FDA-approved implantable treatment for people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a sleep disorder that affects more than 22 million Americans. 

Inspire Sleep Therapy might be right for you if: 

• You have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
• You are unable to use or get consistent benefit from CPAP.
• You are not significantly obese. 
• You are over the age of 18. 

How does it work? 

Inspire works inside your body with your natural breathing process to treat obstructive sleep apnea. While you sleep, Inspire delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles, allowing the airway to remain open. The Inspire system is controlled by a small handheld sleep remote. Simply turn Inspire on before bed and off in the morning when you wake up.

What sets UR Medicine apart? 

UR Medicine has developed a highly successful team, consisting of Dr. Sveta Karelsky (Otolaryngology), Tarek Siala, PA-C (Otolaryngology) and Dr. Carolina Marcus (UR Sleep Medicine), who provide complete evaluation and treatment starting from initial consultation to surgical implantation of the device and ongoing care.  Tarek Siala, PA-C, treats and prepares patients for CPAP alternatives, including the Inspire implant. He helps patients fulfill requirements for sleep surgeries performed by Dr. Sveta Karelsky. Dr. Carolina Marcus turns on the Inspire implant and helps patients find the right settings for a great night of sleep. UR Medicine is currently the only center in New York State accredited as a Center of Excellence for treatment with the Inspire device.

Meet Dr. Sveta Karelsky

Dr. Karelsky is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Rochester, specializing in surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

She is one of the most experienced Inspire surgeons in the country, having completed over 200 Inspire implant operations. She teaches other surgeons throughout the US to get the best possible results for patients with Inspire treatment.

Dr. Karelsky focuses on providing a personalized, targeted treatment approach to patients with OSA who do not benefit from treatment with positive airway pressure devices (CPAP or BiPAP). After initial office consultation, patients undergo a procedure known as a sleep endoscopy in order to evaluate the cause of their OSA and determine the best treatment for them, including the Inspire device. They subsequently meet with Dr. Karelsky to plan optimal treatment together. Surgery takes place at UR Medicine’s Highland Hospital, which combines the advantages of a university medical center with those of a smaller facility.

Dr. Karelsky works closely with the University of Rochester Sleep Medicine service, which also has extensive experience with Inspire, as well as other sleep doctors throughout the region. She is part of a comprehensive Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department, with colleagues specializing in each of these areas collaborating to offer comprehensive treatment. She is also the Chief of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Highland Hospital.

Dr. Karelsky frequently gives lectures about the surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and has been featured on several television segments about the Inspire device.

Patient Education Tablet 

In the News 

URMC News: Karelsky and Marcus Receive National Recognition for OSA Care

News 8: Inspire Device designed to stop sleep apnea and improve your sleep

13 ABC: Highland Hospital offers "Inspire" device to help sleep apnea patients

Contact

Call us at  (585) 758-5700 to make an appointment.