Tongue Implant Could Treat Sleep Apnea Without a CPAP

Staff
By Staff
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Medical technology company Nyxoah has officially launched its Genio system, a small implant that has the potential to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) without the need for a CPAP machine.

The Genio is a small device that is inserted through an incision under the chin and controlled by a wearable. The system, which consists of a neurostimulator, an activation chip, a charger and adhesive patches, is designed to deliver bilateral stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the muscles in the tongue.

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The user places an external activation chip under their chin before going to sleep. While asleep, the device causes the user’s tongue to move forward so it doesn’t fall back and block the upper airway.

The company said Genio’s commercial launch in England coincides with the first successful implants performed at University College London Hospitals (UCLH). But while the device has had European Union approval since 2019, it’s still only an investigational device in the U.S.

The first two patients were successfully implanted by Ryan Chin Taw Cheong, Consultant ENT and Sleep Surgeon at UCLH.

“We are proud to be the first hospital in the UK to offer Genio to our OSA patients. Genio is a groundbreaking, clinically proven therapy that addresses the unmet needs of individuals suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea,” said Cheong.

“Today represents an important milestone for Nyxoah as we introduce our Genio neurostimulation solution to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea in England. Congratulations to Mr. Cheong and his team on this remarkable achievement. We look forward to expanding our collaboration with UCLH and other leading hospitals in England as we continue our mission to make sleep simple for OSA patients,” said Nyxoah CEO Olivier Taelman.

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