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Experiment could revolutionize sleep apnea treatment
Milwaukee ear, nose and throat specialist ready to head national study of condition
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Nation & World News
Known as the Advance System, the device is implanted through a small incision under the chin. It is designed to open the airway by deploying a barbed implant in the back of the tongue and connecting it by an adjustable tether to an anchor that is screwed in the jaw bone.
"It's about as invasive as a root canal," Woodson said as he prepped for Hays' surgery.
The U.S. clinical trial is expected to be completed in November 2008 after 40 people have been implanted with the device. FDA approval of the device is not expected until the trials are completed.
Two days after the surgery, Hays, a retired Secret Service and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent, had a small amount of swelling under his chin. But otherwise, he felt good, he said.
Doctors say the full benefit of the device normally is not noticed until it is adjusted in an office visit a couple weeks after the surgery.
Hays' wife said she noticed a change the next night.
"It was a different kind of snoring," she said. "It wasn't the constant deeper snore. It was lighter. He wasn't whistling through his nose."
If his apnea and snoring improve even more after the device is adjusted, it could be enough to return nighttime peace to their Greenfield, Wis., household.
"It's about as invasive as a root canal," Woodson said as he prepped for Hays' surgery.
The U.S. clinical trial is expected to be completed in November 2008 after 40 people have been implanted with the device. FDA approval of the device is not expected until the trials are completed.
Two days after the surgery, Hays, a retired Secret Service and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent, had a small amount of swelling under his chin. But otherwise, he felt good, he said.
Doctors say the full benefit of the device normally is not noticed until it is adjusted in an office visit a couple weeks after the surgery.
Hays' wife said she noticed a change the next night.
"It was a different kind of snoring," she said. "It wasn't the constant deeper snore. It was lighter. He wasn't whistling through his nose."
If his apnea and snoring improve even more after the device is adjusted, it could be enough to return nighttime peace to their Greenfield, Wis., household.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Monica Ackers
posted 3/21/09 @ 5:59 AM CST
Nice review! Thanks!
Jacqueline Loughrey
posted 4/16/09 @ 11:57 AM CST
Good information. Thanks for the post.
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