Early Feasibility Study of the Nervive VitalFlow Stimulation for Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

Early Feasibility Clinical Study of the Nervive VitalFlow Stimulation System for Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

This Early Feasibility Study (EFS) is a multi-center, open-label single-arm study in 10 acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with VitalFlow-IS stimulation within 6 hours of symptom onset. The purpose of the EFS is to evaluate initial clinical safety and device functionality in the clinical workflow setting for treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients that will inform design modifications and/or user interface in preparation for next steps consisting of (1) a full safety/feasibility clinical study and (2) randomized controlled pivotal trial with a surrogate endpoint (expedited Premarket Approval (PMA) pathway).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Time last known normal within 4.5 hours of presentation for enrollment

  • Allows 1.5 hours for pre-stimulation study procedures to maintain a 6-hour therapeutic window
  • IV rtPA and Endovascular Treatment (EVT) permissible if not inappropriately delayed by study procedures

• Age 18-85 years

• Diagnosis of ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation

• NIHSS at baseline 4-20

• Creatinine < 1.7 mg/dL

• Signed informed consent by patient/Legally Authorized Representative (LAR)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre-stroke disability Modified Rankin Score (mRS) between 2-6

• Inability to communicate sufficiently to participate in study procedures

• Neuroimaging with intracranial hemorrhage, severe brain edema, or ASPECTS <5

• Known or newly-discovered aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation (AVM)

• Intracranial mass lesion, infection, or other reason to suspect increased intracranial pressure

• Metallic foreign bodies or implanted devices in the head or neck, including tattoos

• Cardiac, vagal nerve, or intracranial neural stimulation device

• Cochlear implant or implanted hearing aid

• Potential for delay in intravenous rtPA or endovascular therapy due to study procedures

  • Intravenous (IV) rtPA: Stimulation might be delivered during the rtPA infusion period
  • EVT: Stimulation might be performed while EVT team is mobilized

• Seizure concurrent to stroke, or history of seizures, epilepsy, or recurrent syncopal events.

• History of neuropathy (including facial nerve injury), carotid surgery, or vagotomy.