Effect of Upper Airway Stimulation in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Effect of Upper Airway Stimulation: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Study

Upper Airway Stimulation is a new therapy, which is available for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, who are non-compliant to the standard treatment continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This study is a prospective, multi-center, double-blinded, randomized crossover study conducted under a common protocol. The study visits include baseline with an in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) after six months of therapy usage, followed by visits and in-lab PSGs at 1 and 2-weeks where the Therapy stimulation will be changed at each, according to randomization. The objective of this randomized controlled crossover study is to assess treatment effect of Inspire UAS in patients at different time points with two different therapy settings. This study will provide additional clinical evidence of Inspire UAS for treatment of moderate to severe OSA using a randomized controlled crossover trial design.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent episodes of airflow obstruction in the upper airway that results in oxygen desaturations and arousal from sleep. The most common symptom of OSA is excessive daytime sleepiness. Recent studies have also shown clear association of OSA with the development of obesity, hypertension diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure. Approximately 13% men and 6% women have moderate to severe OSA (apnea hypopnea index, AHI ≥ 15) in the US.

The efficacy of therapies for OSA, and in particular, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been limited due to patient intolerance, poor patient selection, or limited response to the therapy.

The Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) system is intended to prevent upper airway obstruction by stimulating the hypoglossal nerve synchronous with respiration [7].

The Inspire system is comprised of the following components:

• Inspire Upper Airway Stimulator (Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG))

• Inspire Stimulation Lead

• Inspire Sensing Lead

• External programmers used with the system are:

  • Inspire Programmer (physician programmer)
  • Inspire Patient Programmer (patient remote)

The Inspire system received CE Mark in 2010 (CE Certificate No. 562872) providing the regulatory authority to provide the device in a commercial setting. Furthermore, this study will be conducted within the CE marked intended use of the Inspire system and will not involve any additional stressful or invasive tests.

The objective of this randomized controlled crossover study is to assess treatment effect of Inspire UAS in patients at different time points with two different therapy settings. This study will provide additional clinical evidence of Inspire UAS for treatment of moderate to severe OSA using a randomized controlled crossover trial design.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Otherwise healthy subjects that are at least 18 years old and:

  1. Have been implanted and using the Inspire Therapy for at least six months
  2. Willing and capable to undergo three in-lab PSGs in a one-month timeframe
  3. Willing and capable of having reduced Inspire stimulation for one week
  4. Willing and capable of providing informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded from this clinical investigation:

  1. Unwilling to complete three in-lab PSGs within a 1-month timeframe
  2. Any other reason the investigator deems subject is unfit for participation in the study