Positive airway pressure and electrical stimulation methods for obstructive sleep apnea treatment: a patent review (2005 – 2014)

Abstract

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a major health problem with significant negative effects on the health and quality of life. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is currently the primary treatment option and it is considered the most effective therapy for OSAHS. Nevertheless, comfort issues due to improper fit to patient’s changing needs and breathing gas leakage limit the patient’s adherence to treatment.

Areas covered: The present patent review describes recent innovations in the treatment of OSAHS related to optimization of the positive pressure delivered to the patient, methods and systems for continuous self-adjusting pressure during inspiration and expiration phases, and techniques for electrical stimulation of nerves and muscles responsible for the airway patency.

Expert opinion: In the last few years, CPAP-related inventions have mainly focused on obtaining an optimal self-adjusting pressure according to patient’s needs. Despite intensive research carried out, treatment compliance is still a major issue. Hypoglossal electrical nerve stimulation could be an effective secondary treatment option when CPAP primary therapy fails. Several patents have been granted focused on selective stimulation techniques and parameter optimization of the stimulating pulse waveform. Nevertheless, there remain important issues to address, like effectiveness and adverse events due to improper stimulation.

Keywords:

• airflow limitation
• continuous positive airway pressure
• electrical nerve stimulation
• hypoglossal nerve
• obstructive respiratory event
• obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

Declaration of interest

This research was supported by the project VA059U13 from the Consejería de Educación de la Junta de Castilla y León, the project TEC2011-22987 from Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and FEDER, and the Proyecto Cero 2011 on Ageing from Obra Social La Caixa, Fundación General CSIC and CSIC. GC Gutiérrez-Tobal was in receipt of a PIRTU grant from the Consejería de Educación de la Junta de Castilla y León and the European Social Fund. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Notes

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