A groundbreaking tongue-stimulating implant, Genio, offers hope to millions of sleep apnea sufferers in the UK, providing a promising alternative treatment option.
New Tongue-Stimulating Implant Offers Hope to Millions with Sleep Apnea in UK First
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop repeatedly during sleep, affecting approximately 8 million people in the UK. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the walls of the throat relax and narrow or close, leading to symptoms such as choking noises, loud snoring, and frequent waking.
Advances in Treatment: A New Era for Sleep Apnea Patients
For the first time in the UK, patients with sleep apnea are now offered an alternative treatment option – a tongue-stimulating implant called Genio. Developed by Nyxoah, this device zaps the nerves in the tongue to help sufferers breathe better overnight.
The three-hour procedure to fit the Genio implant was carried out at University College London Hospitals NHS foundation trust (UCLH) this month. One of the two patients, Natalie Boller, 63, reported feeling better within days and will return to the clinic to have the device activated in the coming weeks. She expressed her excitement about being more active, something her tiredness has prevented.
Improved Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea Patients
UCLH became the first centre in the UK to offer sleep apnea patients a choice of nerve stimulators – the Genio or Inspire implant. Both devices stimulate the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the muscles in the tongue and can be an alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (Cpap) machines. Cpap machines are commonly used as the first line of treatment for sleep apnea but can be uncomfortable.
Consultant ENT and sleep surgeon Ryan Chin Taw Cheong expressed optimism about the new technology, stating that he hopes to make this implant more available for patients who meet specific criteria. During the operation, surgeons made a 6cm incision below Boller’s chin and used a microscope to pinpoint the nerves that make the tongue protrude.
The stimulator is controlled by an external chip that is stuck to the chin using an adhesive patch before the patient goes to sleep. Patients can adjust the level of stimulation and monitor their sleep on a smartphone app during the day, while the patch can be removed and recharged.
Eligibility and Future Outlook
Patients eligible for the implants must have moderate to very severe sleep apnea, a body mass index of below 35, and must have tried using a Cpap machine. The consultant added that he aims to drive this field forward, offering these treatment options to patients who need them. When patients come to the clinic, they can expect access to the best treatment for sleep apnea available on the planet.
