Battery-free, wirelessly powered nerve stimulator to treat sleep apnea
Official title: Minimally Invasive, Battery-less, Closed-loop Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funded at Vivamed, INC. · NIH-11358715 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, tiny device would stimulate a nerve in the tongue without batteries, using wireless power, to help people with obstructive sleep apnea.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vivamed, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Monica, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $257,015 |
| NIH project number | 1R61HL179737-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11358715 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with obstructive sleep apnea who are considering or could benefit from hypoglossal nerve stimulation and are suitable for implant procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with sleep disorders not related to airway obstruction or those unable to undergo implantation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a minimally invasive, bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulator that is powered wirelessly and includes EMG sensing for closed-loop control. It is designed to be smaller and MRI-friendly to address limitations of current implants. The device would continuously monitor muscle activity and adjust stimulation in real time to improve breathing during sleep. If successful, it could offer a more comfortable option for patients who struggle with CPAP or current hypoglossal implants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with obstructive sleep apnea could experience better sleep quality and fewer cardiovascular risks with a less invasive, battery-free device.
How similar studies have gone: Prior hypoglossal nerve stimulation approaches have shown promise, but this project introduces wireless power and closed-loop control for potential improvements.
Where this research is happening
-
Vivamed, INC.
Santa Monica, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nouri, Sepideh — Vivamed, INC.
- Study coordinator: Nouri, Sepideh
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.