Is this new iNAP sleep device just as good as CPAP? Any of you try it before?

[WWu777]

Hi Everyone,
Check this out. My dad showed me a new European invention out there for sleep apnea called iNAP. It looks a lot smaller and more portable than even a travel CPAP machine. It works by using a vacuum to suck your tongue upward and forward so it doesn't obstruct the breathing passageway in your throat. And it doesn't require a mask either. See the links, videos and graphics below. 

What do you all think? Is this just as good as CPAP or better? Will this replace CPAP someday? Is this the next step in evolution for sleep apnea devices? Have any of you tried iNAP before or know someone who has? If so, what did you think?

iNAP product promo links: 

(These are not commercial links I think. Just promo pages. Is it ok for me to post product promo links? If not, let me know and I'll remove them. Thanks)

https://www.inapsleep.com/en

https://www.somnics.com/inap

https://ifworlddesignguide.com/entry/174078-inap

https://www.entandaudiologynews.com/revi...eep-apnoea

Promo videos for iNAP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SaSGqRl0po





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUMJCDdwQyU





Promo/Info graphics for iNAP:

[Homerec130]

First I have seen or heard of it. Interesting to how it would work with a mouth breather or someone who has nasal issues. Can't see how the negative pressure could be reliably maintained. Seems to be relaxing the jaw would be enough to break the seal.

It would also be interesting to see what the cost of expendables is and how to you properly dispose of them.

[kappa]

Certainly doesn't seem to have had a lot of adoption. There was a larger clinical trial that appears to have been abandoned due to insufficient participants.

There are some retailers in Australia, but none seem to have stock. Cost appears to be AU$1750 RRP for the unit, consumable pads ~ AU$30/month, replacement oral interface AU$120 (not sure how long they would last).

They highly recommend a trial, which would imply that it only works for some...

[Homerec130]

Kappa,

How do those numbers compare with a typical traditional machine? I wonder how many folks end up chewing on the tube for the piece that goes in the mouth.

[WWu777]

First I have seen or heard of it. Interesting to how it would work with a mouth breather or someone who has nasal issues. Can't see how the negative pressure could be reliably maintained. Seems to be relaxing the jaw would be enough to break the seal.

It would also be interesting to see what the cost of expendables is and how to you properly dispose of them.

I was wondering the same thing. How would it stay in your mouth attached to your tongue? Wouldn't it be too easy to spit it out accidentally?

Are there any third party consumer reviews of it somewhere, the kind that Amazon has?

No one will buy it if there's not enough good word of mouth about it.

Maybe the manufacturer will find this thread and weigh in.

Btw, I found one study of this new device:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30690676/

Abstract

Purpose: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) have difficulties in compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and the treatment outcome is heterogeneous. We proposed a proof-of-concept study of a novel intermittent negative air pressure (iNAP®) device for physicians to apply on patients who have failed or refused to use CPAP.

Methods: The iNAP® device retains the tongue and the soft palate in a forward position to decrease airway obstruction. A full nightly usage with the device was evaluated with polysomnography. Subgrouping by baseline apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and body mass index (BMI) with different treatment response criteria was applied to characterize the responder group of this novel device.

Results: Thirty-five patients were enrolled: age 41.9 ± 12.2 years (mean ± standard deviation), BMI 26.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2, AHI 41.4 ± 24.3 events/h, and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) 40.9 ± 24.4 events/h at baseline. AHI and ODI were significantly decreased (p < 0.001) by the device. Patients with moderate OSAS, with baseline AHI between 15 to 30 events/h, achieved 64% response rate; and non-obese patients, with BMI below 25 kg/m2, achieved 57% response rate, with response rate defined as 50% reduction in AHI from baseline and treated AHI lower than 20. There were minimal side effects reported.

Conclusions: In a proof-of-concept study, the device attained response to treatment as defined, in more than half of the moderate and non-obese OSAS patients, with minimal side effects.

It seems that based on this trial, it would only work for those with mild or moderate sleep apnea, not for those with severe apnea. Right?

[JMZZZ]

Hi There!

To respond to your question of whether the iNAP sleep device is "just as good" as the CPAP, I would say that any device that helps one get restful sleep is better!  However, one needs to address what is preventing restful sleep with any device.  


My personal experience of whether the iNAP is "just as good" for me, is that it is better than any other device I have used for the following reasons:
1. I failed or broke 3 very expensive mouthguards and began damaging my teeth and my TMJ and they did not prevent my snoring.
2. Although I initially loved my CPAP, I had a difficult time finding a mask/nose pillow that would stay with me throughtout the night and I eventally failed all positive air pressure machines because I swallowed air and awoke with a painful distended stomach.
3. I failed the ZZZomba pillow (that prevents one from sleeping one their back) because I found myself perched on top of the pillow anyway!
4. I did finally begin to sleep well when I discovered the Winx negative air pressure system; however, even though this company is no longer in business, the mouth pieces caused pain and temporary sores/distortion of my tongue, pallate or cheek.  Yet, because I was desperate to get good sleep and was feeling better after a couple weeks, I was willing to endure this discomfort.

Well, now with the iNAP (negative air pressure) system, I no longer awake with a distended abdomen, injure my jaw, awake with pain in the delicate soft tissues of my mouth and I get to sleep in my back as much as I want!!! (my favorite).   And, according to my hubby, I snore very little!  ;-)

So, personally, is the iNAP just as good as CPAP...I say, it's better!  

[JMZZZ]

Negative air flow creates a suction to keep the mouthpiece stem sandwiched between your tongue and your soft palate. The mouthpiece is very light and part of it rests between your cheek/lips and teeth. There is a place to rest the tip of your tongue. The suction in the back of your tongue helps keeps the mouthpiece in place and your airway open. 

Yes, I need to be able to comfortably breathe through my nose to use the iNAP.

[Chris8]

Hi, there is a Useful specialist doctors review of the device on YouTube, sorry but they won’t let me post the link on the board.

[cronkster]

This CPAP tech just tried it out and posted his 3rd video about it.
I think it's a really good idea and would probably help me, as I feel that my tongue is the problem.  I'm going to have a sedated endoscopy done and then I think this may be in order.  Less invasive than the Inspire I've been considering.
I use CPAP currently, but I feel that my OSA is getting worse when not using the machine.  I have a pet theory that using CPAP allows the airway muscles to atrophy so you become more and more dependent on it.
See links below.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G9UMxIMhrY&t=1s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVgo8C3ubCA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA4kCqaL9Bk&t=1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLi15D3alTc&t=2s

[cronkster]

Here's the latest video from a sleep tech evaluating it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Laf-Jnw4XA