SomnaPatch, a new and disposable diagnostic patch that can be used at home, effectively detects obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) across all severity levels, as shown by the results of a definitive clinical trial.

Results show that the total rate of clinical agreement between the patch and standard in-lab polysomnography was 87.4 percent with 95 percent confidence interval of 81.4 percent to 91.9 percent. The study results will be used in obtaining approval for SomnaPatch from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said the study authors.

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The skin-adhesive diagnostic patch weighs less than one ounce and records nasal pressure, blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, respiratory effort, sleep time and body position.

"Our study provided clinical validation of a new wearable device for diagnosing sleep apnea," said principal investigator Maria Merchant, PhD, CEO of Somnarus, Inc.

"It was most surprising to us how well this inexpensive miniature device performed in comparison with in-lab sleep studies."

OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea and is caused by complete or partial obstructions of the upper airway. Individuals with OSA are rarely aware of difficulty breathing, even upon awakening.

It is characterized by repetitive episodes of shallow or paused breathing during sleep, despite the effort to breathe, and is usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation.

Simultaneous polysomnography and patch recordings from 174 subjects were included in the analysis. An additional home usability study found that 38 out of 39 users were successful in activating the diagnostic patch and collecting at least four hours of sleep data while relying only on the instructions included with the device.

"Most home sleep diagnostic devices are difficult for patients to use and are disruptive to patient's sleep," said Merchant. "Our study showed that this wearable home sleep monitor is very comfortable, easy to use and does not negatively affect sleep."

TagsSomnaPatch, obstructive sleep apnea, OSA, Somnarus, Inc., sleep apnea