UC Davis Medical Center became the first hospital in Northern California to treat patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea using the Genio system, a newly FDA-approved hypoglossal nerve stimulation device that operates without an internal battery.
The procedure marks a significant advancement in surgical options for the estimated 500 million people globally who suffer from moderate-to-severe sleep apnea, a condition linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
How the Genio System Works
Unlike traditional CPAP machines that force air through the airway, the Genio system stimulates the hypoglossal nerve to maintain airway patency during sleep. The device is implanted through a single incision beneath the chin in an outpatient procedure.
What sets Genio apart from other hypoglossal nerve stimulation devices is its bilateral stimulation approach. The system stimulates both sides of the nerve, making it the only hypoglossal nerve stimulation device clinically proven to function while users sleep on their backs—a common sleep position that many earlier devices couldn't accommodate.
The battery-free implant receives power from a small external battery connected to a disposable adhesive patch worn under the chin. This design eliminates the need for battery replacement surgeries while keeping the external component minimal and unobtrusive.
First-of-Its-Kind in the Region
"We're excited to offer patients this newly FDA-approved bilateral implant," said Scott Fuller, Professor of Otolaryngology at UC Davis who performed the procedure. "The new implant is reported to be more effective for positional sleep apnea."
The Genio system has been used in Europe for several years, providing real-world evidence of its effectiveness and safety profile before receiving FDA approval for the U.S. market.
A Growing Need for CPAP Alternatives
While CPAP therapy remains the gold standard for treating obstructive sleep apnea, adherence rates tell a troubling story. Approximately 50% of patients abandon CPAP therapy within the first year due to discomfort, noise, claustrophobia, or the inconvenience of traveling with bulky equipment.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation devices like Genio address this adherence problem by offering a "set it and forget it" solution that requires no nightly mask, no noise, and no forced air pressure—just a small patch under the chin.
MRI Compatible and Minimally Invasive
Another advantage of the Genio system is its MRI compatibility, allowing patients to undergo most full-body MRI scans without removing or deactivating the device. This feature addresses a common concern among patients who worry about how an implant might limit future medical imaging options.
The outpatient nature of the procedure also reduces recovery time and hospital costs compared to more invasive surgical interventions for sleep apnea.
Part of an Expanding Treatment Landscape
The introduction of Genio to Northern California comes as the sleep apnea treatment landscape rapidly evolves. Recent developments include the first oral pill for sleep apnea nearing FDA approval, evidence that GLP-1 drugs may reduce the need for CPAP, and new CPAP alternatives like the recently FDA-cleared Kricket PAP device.
For patients who have struggled with CPAP therapy or who want to avoid nightly equipment altogether, hypoglossal nerve stimulation represents a promising middle ground between conservative and highly invasive treatments.
As awareness of sleep apnea's serious health consequences grows—and as projections suggest 77 million U.S. adults will have the condition by 2050—the availability of diverse treatment options becomes increasingly important.
For Bay Area residents with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who haven't found success with CPAP, the Genio system now offers a new path forward, backed by years of European clinical experience and the expertise of UC Davis Medical Center's sleep specialists.
