A New Implant Offers Hope to Millions of Britons with Sleep Apnea
A groundbreaking electronic chip that stimulates the nerves controlling the tongue may offer relief to millions of patients suffering from a common disorder that causes temporary pauses or reductions in breathing during sleep. This technology has the potential to eliminate the need for cumbersome devices that many rely on during sleep.
Sleep apnea, a condition causing repeated breathing interruptions during sleep, affects around 8 million people in the UK. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, is characterized by choking sounds, loud snoring, and frequent awakenings. It occurs when the walls of the throat relax, widen, or collapse.
Earlier this month, doctors at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) performed a three-hour procedure to implant the Genio device, developed by Nyxoah.
With this procedure, UCLH became the first center in the UK to offer patients with sleep apnea a choice between the Genio nerve stimulator or the Inspire implant. Both devices stimulate the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the muscles of the tongue, and present a potential alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices.
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