Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects millions of people worldwide, but thanks to Maple Grove resident Tim Herbert and his associates at Inspire Medical Systems, treatment concerns can be put to rest.
The Maple Grove-based company treats sleep apnea by monitoring breathing patterns during sleep. Based on a client’s patterns, the system delivers mild stimulation to muscles in the airway, which helps keep it open.
Herbert makes his home in Maple Grove, but that wasn’t the only reason for starting his business in this bustling town, back in 2007, after spinning the technology out of Medtronic, another Twin Cities medical device company.
“I chose Maple Grove because it is such a hub for medical device startups,” Herbert says. “There is really great technological talent available here.”
Inspire Medical Systems is a one-of-a-kind company. Herbert explains that only about 50 percent of people who have been diagnosed with OSA and prescribed CPAP therapy—a more traditional device-based treatment—use the treatment successfully. “We are completely unique to this branch of service,” he says.
Inspire Medical Systems acts as an important cog in the OSA treatment field; the company received pre-market approval from the Federal Drug Administration in 2014. This is generally regarded as the biggest hurdle in developing medical technology and is a major accomplishment in the field.
“This is exciting because we’re working with a disease that affects so many people,” Herbert says. His hope is that the number of people affected will decrease over time because of his company.
Now the biggest challenge for Herbert is raising capital for this venture. “It’s extremely challenging for a founding CEO like myself to convince others to see my vision in this new branch of treatment,” Herbert says. The vision that Herbert refers to began in the mid-1990s whileworking for Medtronic, the leading developer of medical technology.
After Medtronic decided that OSA treatment needed its own focus, Herbert founded the new company. He was entrusted with the endeavor thanks to the unique experience he brings to the table.
“I actually have an extensive electrical engineering background,” Herbert says. “I got into this idea because it was a really good application of technology to health and wellness.”
Herbert’s strengths have led to a career that brings him joy on a daily basis. “Seeing patient outcomes is by far the most rewarding aspect of my job,” he says. “We make sure that all of our patients are getting the care that they deserve, and it’s just great knowing that we’re making a difference.”
OSA and how the treatment works?
For those unfamiliar with the condition, OSA occurs when the tongue and soft tissues in the mouth and throat relax during sleep, causing an obstructed airway. Without fresh airflow, oxygen levels in the blood decrease. The brain senses the issue and awakens the body just long enough to open the airway for a few breaths, but then collapse occurs again, restarting the apnea cycle.
Inspire Medical Systems features the use of neuro-stimulation.
