Genio® Bilateral Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation
A mask-free alternative to CPAP
If you have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and CPAP hasn’t worked for you, Genio® therapy may offer another path forward.
Genio is an FDA-approved treatment that stimulates the nerve controlling tongue movement on both sides at once, helping keep your airway open while you sleep. There’s no mask, no hose, and no battery implanted in your body. The system pairs a small internal stimulator with an external sleep wearable that powers it each night.
- No mask or hose
- Battery-free implant
- Managed through an optional smartphone app
What Is Genio® Therapy?
Genio is an FDA-approved treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike single-sided stimulation, Genio delivers nerve stimulation to both sides of the tongue at the same time, helping the airway stay open throughout the night, including when you sleep on your back.
The stimulator itself has no battery. It’s powered externally each night by a disposable patch worn under the chin, which means there’s no device battery to replace or recharge inside your body, and the implant is designed to accept future technology upgrades without another surgery.
Unlike CPAP therapy, Genio®:
- Works from inside the body
- Requires no mask or tubing
- Is powered by a wearable patch, not an internal battery
- Can be managed through a smartphone app
Battery-Free Stimulator
Placed beneath the chin during a single-incision outpatient procedure, the stimulator delivers nerve stimulation to both sides of the tongue. It has no internal battery and is designed to be upgraded in the future without additional surgery.
Sleep Wearable
A disposable adhesive patch connects to a small external activation chip worn under the chin each night. The chip powers the stimulator and charges on a portable charger during the day, so there’s nothing to plug into your body.
Genio® Smartphone App (Optional)
The app lets you start, pause, and adjust stimulation within the settings your doctor sets, and tracks how consistently you’re using the device, which is useful information for follow-up visits.
What It's Like to Use Genio®
- Before bed, attach the activation chip to a fresh disposable patch and place it under your chin
- Stimulation runs automatically through the night; you can pause and restart from the app if you wake up
- In the morning, remove the patch, set the chip on its charger, and discard the patch
- The chip recharges during the day so it’s ready for the next night
Who Is a Candidate for Genio®?
Genio therapy is designed for adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who haven’t found relief with CPAP.
You may be a candidate if you:
- Are over 22 years old
- Have a recent sleep study showing an AHI between 15 and 65
- Have a BMI of 32 or below
- Were unable to tolerate or benefit from CPAP or other standard treatments
Your evaluation may include:
- Sleep study review
- Airway examination
- Medical history review
- Additional eligibility testing as needed
What to Expect From the Genio® Procedure
Treating OSA is a gradual process. Genio therapy involves a few distinct stages, and getting comfortable with nightly use typically takes a few weeks.
- Evaluation. Confirm eligibility through a sleep study or home sleep test.
- Procedure. A one-time, single-incision outpatient procedure places the battery-free stimulator.
- Activation. About two months after the procedure, once healing is complete, the device is activated and you’re trained on nightly use.
- Ongoing Use. Settings are adjusted over time, disposable patches are reordered as needed, and routine check-ins keep therapy on track.
Benefits of Genio® Therapy
Patients choose Genio therapy because it offers:
Mask-free alternative to CPAP
No mask, hose, or nightly setup beyond the wearable patch.
Bilateral stimulation
Nerve stimulation reaches both sides of the tongue, which has shown benefit across sleep positions, including on your back.
No implanted battery
The stimulator is powered externally, and the implant is designed to accept future upgrades without another surgery.
Optional app control
Adjust comfort settings and track usage from your phone, and share that data with your care team.
Why Choose Peak ENT and Voice Center?
At Peak ENT and Voice Center, our specialists focus on diagnosing and treating complex airway and sleep conditions.
- Comprehensive sleep apnea evaluation
- Advanced surgical expertise, including Genio® and Inspire® implant therapy
- Personalized treatment planning
- Long-term follow-up and care
Our goal is to help you find the most effective treatment for better sleep and better overall health.
Ready to Take Control of Your OSA?
If CPAP therapy hasn’t worked for you, Genio therapy may offer another way forward.
Ready to see if you qualify for Genio therapy?
A consultation is your best way to determine eligibility.
