Self-supporting nasal airway for children with weak muscle tone
Self-Supporting Nasopharyngeal Airway (ssNPA) Treating Upper Airway Obstruction in Hypotonia
A new self-supporting nasal airway device to help children with weak muscle tone and obstructive sleep apnea breathe more safely during sleep.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187077 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is designing and testing a self-supporting nasopharyngeal airway meant to hold the upper airway open in children with hypotonic conditions such as cerebral palsy, hypoxic encephalopathy, or Down syndrome. Engineers and clinicians will refine the device and evaluate fit, comfort, and mechanical performance in the lab before moving to monitored sleep tests with participants. Sleep studies (polysomnography) will be used to see if the device reduces breathing interruptions and oxygen drops at night. The team will also monitor safety and whether the device could reduce the need for more invasive options like tracheostomy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children with hypotonic upper airway obstruction (for example cerebral palsy, hypoxic encephalopathy, Down syndrome, or neuromuscular disorders) who have obstructive sleep apnea and are medically stable to try a nasal airway device.
Not a fit: Patients whose airway blockage is driven by fixed anatomy not helped by a nasopharyngeal stent, or those who cannot tolerate nasal devices, may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could reduce sleep apnea events and decrease reliance on invasive airway procedures for some children with hypotonia.
How similar studies have performed: Standard nasopharyngeal airways are used short-term in some patients, but this self-supporting design is a novel approach with limited prior clinical evidence.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'brien, Louise M. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: O'brien, Louise M.
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 below.