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CASE RESEARCHERS TO TAKE BUZZ OUT OF HEAVY SNORERS: NEW IMPLANTABLE DEVICE TO HELP TREAT SLEEP APNEA
A new implantable device under development at Case Western Reserve Univeristy will offer patients relief from sleep apena. Those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea experience significant breathing cessations causing an array of complications such as a decrease in blood oxygen levels, sleep fragmentation, irregularities in the heart's normal beating pattern, and hypertension. "This serious disorder can become a major health risk, causing significant lung, neurocognitive deficits and heart disease over time," said Durand. Although obstructive sleep apnea is associated with known chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, heart failure, stroke, sexual dysfunction, and depression, a short list of remedies exist. The primary treatment is an external mask that forces oxygen into the airway and provides continuous oxygen pressure. The tiny device underway at Case is designed to offer relief to those who find the current CPAP masks uncomfortable. It will consist of an electrode, several leads and a 3cm diameter stimulator and it will be surgically implanted below the ear in the neck where it will directly stimulate a targeted part of the hypoglossal nerve which controls movement of the muscles involved in maintaining the opening of the upper airways. "This new generation of neural prosthetics for obstructive sleep apnea is inspired by advancements like the experimental diaphragm pacing system designed at Case that now helps actor Christopher Reeve breathe more naturally," said Durand. "Our miniature device is being designed to both stimulate and record from the hypoglossal nerve to detect and prevent an obstruction before it takes place, eliminating those gaps in breathe, quieting the loud snore that comes with it and helping people to rest better." Minor surgery under the care of a certified otorhinolaryngologist will be involved when the device reaches the commercial market. "The good news is that the hypoglossal nerve is close to the surface which will keep the invasive process to a minimum," said Durand. The Case researchers are confident that the new device holds promise for the growing neural electronics market. "I see this technology as a smart permanent way to improve the therapeutic outcome for patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea," he added. The research is being conducted at the Case Neural Engineering Center. Durand is collaborating with Kingman P. Strohl, M.D., director of the Center for Sleep Disorders Research, professor of medicine, and professor of anatomy at Case; Pierre Lavertu, M.D., associate professor of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery and oncology at Case; Dustin Tyler, PhD, a research associate in biomedical engineering, and Anthony Carparso, a biomedical engineer. A local company, NDI Medical is collaborating in the development of the new device. The project is funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health and a grant from Ohio Gov. Robert Taft to the Ohio Neurostimulation and Neuromodulation Partnership. Case heads the partnership dedicated to the commercialization of neurostimulation technologies that address critical neurological disorders. The partnership is an alliance of the university, MetroHealth Medical Center, the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and industrial partners led by NDI Medical, an early stage, Cleveland-based neurological medical device start-up company. The alliance aims to commercialize Ohio's extraordinary findings and technologies in neurostimulation for the global market.
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