Detroit OSA Folks... study open for the brave

I don't think I could opt for this type of device, but if anyone in the Detroit area is interested in the pacemaker type device for OSA, it will open to study participants in Detroit/Michigan according to this article: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/01/25/ ... nea-study/

The description given by the doctor:

"'It’s a device where a battery’s implanted and it’s run up and then it’s connected to a muscle, you know, a nerve, which stimulates the breathing,' said Roth,"
doesn't exactly inspire confidence, does it?

Not all intelligent people are articulate.
It is nice and reassuring when they are, though.

I hope the surgeon knows the difference between a muscle and a nerve!

I don't understand why everyone is so leery of this approach... it completely frees you from the whole Cpap go round and there is no reason to believe it wouldn't work reliably, especially as similar types of devices are routinely checked according to careful schedules...

The devices are very small, the procedure short and minimally invasive, and if I had access to something like that where I am now I'd jump at the chance... maybe it's because of having worked with doctors for years who implanted (decades ago) bulkier devices for more extensive treatment of different conditions and did it through far more invasive procedures than this one would entail, but I think the idea is terrific - or am I missing something that you all know and I don't?

Julie wrote:I don't understand why everyone is so leery of this approach... it completely frees you from the whole Cpap go round and there is no reason to believe it wouldn't work reliably, especially as similar types of devices are routinely checked according to careful schedules...

The devices are very small, the procedure short and minimally invasive, and if I had access to something like that where I am now I'd jump at the chance... maybe it's because of having worked with doctors for years who implanted (decades ago) bulkier devices for more extensive treatment of different conditions and did it through far more invasive procedures than this one would entail, but I think the idea is terrific - or am I missing something that you all know and I don't?

Considering how people have been treated by DME's it is no wonder they are leery of this. Plus you have to consider that the batteries have to be changed. If you lost your insurance it is not like you can go on craigslist and find a used replacement like you can with a cpap. It is going to cost a lot more the $1000.

I might have to look into this. It is right in my area. But a competing health system of where I work....

I did not qualify.... I think I am too fat. All they asked was my age and BMI. Then they said I did not qualify

I have looked at some of the studies (published on the internet) on these devices.

First, the devices are only for people who have failed at CPAP.

Then there are the results.

One study of 29 patients who had the device successfully implanted:

Average AHI was 25 reduced from 44.

Total sleep time and total sleep efficiency were barely improved.

Plus:

-One explant due to infection and hematoma.

-One explant due to patient chose UPPP.

-One explant before system activation due to patient request.

-Two cuff dislodgements required second surgery and cuff replacement.
(Cuff is the lead attached to the hypoglossal nerve.)

This is invasive and risky for someone who has reasonable success with CPAP.

jmcanzo wrote:I did not qualify.... I think I am too fat. All they asked was my age and BMI. Then they said I did not qualify

BMI has to be 35 or lower.

I half considered the idea. I did the initial online survey and qualified based on that. But I definitely have reservations about this being an experimental procedure. Plus, I'm 30 right now. No doubt it would need battery changes, replacements, etc. But none of those would be covered by insurance until the device becomes an approved treatment option. So it seems like a big risk of future expense.

jmcanzo wrote:I did not qualify.... I think I am too fat. All they asked was my age and BMI. Then they said I did not qualify

I didn't qualify either, made it past age and BMI
Next were some CPAP questions, guess I'm to compliant with my pap

Ohh - hadn't seen the reports that Choker posted... that's too bad, though dont know how small or old that study was, and I'll be curious to know how things go in future.

thud wrote:I'... Since they open you up to implant the device they could also implant a USB port in your arm pit....or even better a USB Hub, or a PRO version that has both a USB hud AND Multicard reader. You could recharged the implant batteries via your computer or USB charging adaptor.

.......and I thought I was kind of a geek. Whew! Bionic body on the way. Why not add some EEG leads while you're at it, then you can do a continuous sleep study on yourself
I love this forum... lots of info and entertainment besides.