Inspire Support & Troubleshooting Guide

Common issues, solutions, and helpful information for Inspire therapy patients. Quick answers to your most common questions.

Need Immediate Help?

If you're experiencing urgent issues or have concerns about your therapy, contact our office during business hours.

Call (214) 308-1525

Remote Troubleshooting

Remote Won't Turn On or Respond

Check the Batteries:

• Open battery compartment and check if AA batteries are installed correctly
• Look for + and - markings inside the compartment
• Try fresh AA batteries (alkaline or lithium recommended)
• Make sure batteries are not expired or corroded

Reset the Remote:

• Remove batteries and wait 30 seconds
• Reinsert batteries with correct polarity
• Press and hold power button for 3 seconds
• Remote should display startup screen

Still not working? Contact our office. You may need a replacement remote. Do not attempt to open or repair the remote yourself.

Device Not Responding to Remote

Pairing Issues:

• Hold remote within 2-3 inches of your chest (over the generator implant site)
• Make sure remote is powered on and showing battery status
• Try turning device on/off while holding remote close to chest
• Remote should vibrate when successfully communicating with device

Note: The remote needs to be close to your chest to communicate. If it worked before and suddenly stopped, check batteries first.

Using the Pause Feature

The pause button temporarily stops stimulation for up to 30 minutes, useful for falling asleep or brief interruptions.

How to Pause:

• Press pause button on remote
• Stimulation stops immediately
• Device automatically resumes after 30 minutes
• To resume sooner, press pause button again

Important: Do not rely on pause for long periods. If you need to stop therapy for extended time (illness, surgery), turn device OFF completely.

Comfort & Adjustment Issues

Feeling Too Much Stimulation

It's normal to feel mild stimulation when awake. Most patients stop noticing it once asleep. However, if stimulation is uncomfortable:

What You Can Try:

• Use pause button when first lying down to fall asleep without stimulation
• Device will resume automatically after 30 minutes (once you're asleep)
• Try different sleep positions (side vs back)
• Make sure you're breathing normally and not holding your breath

Do NOT adjust device settings yourself. Contact our team if stimulation remains uncomfortable. We can adjust amplitude, pulse width, or frequency during your appointment.

Not Feeling Any Stimulation

This may be normal. Many patients don't feel stimulation once asleep, or the sensation fades over time as they get used to it.

However, if you previously felt stimulation and now feel nothing, or if your symptoms (snoring, gasping) return:

• Check that device is turned ON (remote should confirm status)
• Make sure you're not accidentally pausing device nightly
• Contact our office - we may need to check device function and settings
• You may need a follow-up sleep study to assess therapy effectiveness

Pain or Discomfort at Implant Site

Contact our office immediately if you experience:

• Sudden sharp pain at implant site
• Swelling, redness, or warmth at incision
• Visible bulging or movement of implant under skin
• Shock-like sensations or electrical feelings
• Tongue weakness or difficulty swallowing

Minor discomfort in first few months is normal as tissues adjust. Persistent pain after 3+ months is not normal and should be evaluated.

Battery & Device Longevity

Implant Battery Life

The Inspire generator (implanted in chest) has a battery that typically lasts 10-11 years, depending on:

• Your therapy settings (higher amplitude = faster battery drain)
• Hours of nightly use
• Individual device variation

Battery Monitoring:

• We check battery status at your routine appointments
• You'll receive advance notice (typically 1-2 years) before replacement needed
• Elective replacement indicator (ERI) triggers when battery reaches end of life
• Battery replacement is a minor outpatient procedure (simpler than initial implant)

Battery Replacement: Only the generator is replaced. The leads and electrode stay in place permanently. Procedure takes 30-60 minutes under local anesthesia.

Remote Batteries (AA)

• Remote uses 2 AA alkaline or lithium batteries
• Battery life: 6-12 months depending on usage
• Remote displays low battery warning
• Keep spare batteries on hand
• Do NOT use rechargeable batteries (insufficient voltage)

MRI Safety

CRITICAL: Know Your Inspire Model Number

Your MRI safety depends entirely on which Inspire model you have. Check your Patient ID Card or contact our office to confirm.

Model 3028 (Released 2019+) - MRI Conditional

Look for YELLOW MRI SAFETY TRIANGLE on your Patient ID Card

This model is MRI-conditional and safe for full-body MRI scans at 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla under specific conditions.

Before Your MRI:

• Turn device OFF with remote before entering MRI suite
• Leave remote outside MRI room (it contains metal)
• Show radiologist your Patient ID Card
• Device can be turned back ON immediately after MRI

Model 3024 (Older) - MRI Contraindicated

You CANNOT safely undergo MRI with this model.

If you need imaging, discuss alternatives with your physician:

• CT scan (safe)
• Ultrasound (safe)
• X-ray (safe)
• PET scan (consult radiologist)

In Emergency Situations: If MRI is absolutely medically necessary, contact our office and Inspire technical support immediately to discuss options.

Travel Tips

Airport Security & TSA

Good News: Inspire will NOT set off metal detectors.

What to Do:

• Carry your Inspire Patient ID Card at all times
• Inform TSA agents you have an implanted medical device
• You can go through standard metal detectors
• Body scanners (millimeter wave) are safe
• If TSA wants to use handheld wand, ask them to avoid prolonged scanning directly over device

International Travel: Inspire ID card has information in multiple languages. Airport security worldwide is familiar with implanted medical devices.

Flying with Inspire

• Pack remote in carry-on luggage (don't check it)
• Bring spare AA batteries
• Device works normally at altitude
• Use device every night while traveling (jet lag makes sleep apnea worse)
• If traveling across time zones, maintain consistent sleep schedule

Care & Maintenance

Remote Care

• Clean with soft, dry cloth (no liquids or cleaners)
• Store in dry location at room temperature
• Avoid dropping or exposing to extreme heat/cold
• Do not attempt to open or repair remote
• Replace batteries when low battery indicator appears

Activities & Precautions

Safe Activities:

• Swimming, showering, bathing (device is waterproof once healed)
• Exercise, sports, physical activity
• Dental work, X-rays, CT scans
• Most medical procedures

Precautions:

• Avoid direct trauma to chest/neck (contact sports may require protection)
• Turn device OFF before surgical procedures
• Inform all healthcare providers you have Inspire
• Therapeutic ultrasound over device should be avoided
• Monopolar electrocautery during surgery requires special precautions

Routine Follow-Up

Maintain your appointment schedule:

• Monthly visits during titration phase (first 3-6 months)
• 6-month intervals once optimal settings achieved
• Annual sleep studies to verify therapy effectiveness
• Battery checks at routine appointments
• Don't skip appointments - regular monitoring ensures best outcomes

When to Contact Our Office

Call Immediately If:

• Severe pain at implant site
• Signs of infection (fever, redness, swelling, discharge)
• Visible implant movement or protrusion
• Difficulty swallowing or tongue weakness
• Electrical shock sensations
• Device feels hot to touch
• Sudden return of severe OSA symptoms

Schedule Appointment For:

• Remote not working (tried new batteries)
• Uncomfortable stimulation levels
• Return of snoring or gasping
• Increased daytime sleepiness
• Persistent discomfort
• Questions about device function
• Need replacement remote or accessories
• Planning surgery or medical procedures

Technical Support: For device technical questions outside business hours, Inspire offers 24/7 technical support at 1-855-470-6780.

Questions About Your Inspire Therapy?

Our team is here to help ensure your therapy is working optimally. Don't hesitate to reach out with any concerns.

(214) 308-1525 Schedule Appointment