Validation of Sleep Apnea Screening Device

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. OSA affects an estimated 18-40 million adults and 0.7-3% of all children in the US. The marketplace currently does not have an affordable, easy-to-use, over-the-counter, home-based OSA screening device. An affordable, available, FDA-approved and easy-to-use over-the-counter OSA screening tool would allow greater screening of at-risk individuals, especially in underserved communities with low socioeconomic status, hopefully encouraging a greater proportion of such individuals to seek treatment for their condition. The specific goal of this project is to compare the Zansors® micro sleep sensor screening device against gold-standard polysomnography to establish the device's preliminary validity to screen for OSA accurately.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) results in tiredness, depression and fatigue, and has several associated common comorbidities. It is believed that over 80% of OSA remains undiagnosed. Poorer and disadvantaged communities are at higher risk for sleep disorders, including OSA, even after accounting for other risk factors. The gold-standard method for diagnosing OSA is in-laboratory polysomnography; however, this procedure is generally available only to patients with health insurance due to its high cost. As a result, communities at particularly high risk for OSA are less likely to have this serious sleep disorder appropriately diagnosed and treated.

An affordable, available, FDA-approved and easy-to-use over-the-counter OSA screening tool would allow greater screening of at-risk individuals, especially in underserved communities with low socioeconomic status, hopefully encouraging a greater proportion of such individuals to seek treatment for their condition. Zansors® has developed a bioengineered, semiconductor prototype that measures breathing and movement during sleep. It is a 1.5 x 2.5 x 0.2 inch wireless package using four key technologies:

1. an adjustable microphone;
2. a 3-axis accelerometer;
3. embedded algorithms to measure sleep events; and
4. acrylic adhesive.

The product will be designed as an FDA-approved over-the-counter device that the patient can wear during sleep and wake up with a color score of red, yellow, or green depending on their sleep apnea status. The features of this product include that it is home-based; easy to use; non-invasive; wireless; disposable; low cost ($20-50); and presents easily understandable test results. However, such a device must first be validated against gold-standard polysomnography.

The specific goal of this project is to compare the Zansors® micro sleep sensor screening device against gold-standard polysomnography to establish the device's preliminary validity to screen for OSA accurately.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Must be over 18 and referred by medical staff for an overnight assessment for suspected sleep apnea

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy
* Heart disease including congestive heart failure or a pacemaker
* Breathing disorder (emphysema or chronic obstructive breathing disorder)
* Neurological disorder such as Parkinson's Disease
* Restless leg syndrome or Periodic limb movement
* Allergies to metal
* Pre-existing skin conditions where sensor would be attached