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February 2, 2026
STEVENS POINT – Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital has introduced Inspire V – the newest generation of Inspire therapy, offering patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) an advanced alternative to traditional CPAP treatment.
Michael Thielman, an otolaryngologist at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital, is among the first physicians in the region to offer the procedure and said the latest device represents a significant advancement for patients who are unable to tolerate or do not benefit from CPAP therapy.
Inspire therapy, Thielman said, has been used nationwide for more than a decade and has helped thousands of patients manage moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Recent expansions in private insurance and Medicare coverage, he said, have made the therapy available to a broader group of eligible patients.
“With the newest Inspire V system, we can offer a simpler, more efficient procedure and improved outcomes,” he said. “We’re excited to bring this option to our community and improve the quality of life for so many individuals.”
Thielman said the Inspire V system introduces several enhancements, including a simplified design that eliminates the need for a sensing lead in the intercostal muscles and advanced technology that uses an accelerometer within the neurostimulator to detect breathing directly from the chest wall.
These improvements, he said, allow for a faster, less invasive implantation procedure and increased patient comfort.
Thielman said the procedure is currently offered at only two Aspirus locations – Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital and Aspirus Wausau Hospital – making Central Wisconsin one of the limited regions in the state with access to this advanced sleep apnea treatment.
