Is this new iNAP sleep device just as good as CPAP? Any of you try it before or know someone who has?

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:

https://www.inapsleep.com/en

https://www.somnics.com/inap

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

https://www.entandaudiologynews.com/rev ... 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:

It's not nearly as good as an optimized CPAP therapy.

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.

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

But, it will help some people who don't have the ability to optimize their CPAP therapy. In other words, better than nothing.

Looks like this isn't available yet in the US? If it reduces the number of apnea events (AHI), I'd like to own something like this for napping in the car on long drives, or for when I occasionally like to nap in my easy chair in the living room. I do use a cervical pillow in those situations but don't use my CPAP machine. Most dental devices have too much plastic in the mouth and make me gag, this one seems to involve less plastic so maybe would not cause the gag effect for me.

lrob123 wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 07, 2020 3:38 pm

Looks like this isn't available yet in the US? If it reduces the number of apnea events (AHI), I'd like to own something like this for napping in the car on long drives, or for when I occasionally like to nap in my easy chair in the living room. I do use a cervical pillow in those situations but don't use my CPAP machine. Most dental devices have too much plastic in the mouth and make me gag, this one seems to involve less plastic so maybe would not cause the gag effect for me.

I noticed that too. When I Google it, I find mostly Australian sites selling it. But I don't see the price though. Can any of you check the price of this thing? Is it cheaper than CPAP? Or about the same?

The size looks very portable, almost the size of a cigarette pack box. Wow that is very small. I would imagine that if it is sold online, they could ship it to the US, so in that sense it should be available to the US. However, this appears to be very new, so there are no customer reviews or comparisons of it yet.

I wonder though, if a device that pulls your tongue forward or upward with a sucking vacuum, can really be that comfortable. It's hard to imagine how that could be comfortable enough to sleep to.

If this device works out and goes global, whoever invented it is going to become rich probably. lol

lrob123 wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 07, 2020 3:38 pm

I'd like to own something like this for napping in the car on long drives

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 07, 2020 4:29 pm

lrob123 wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 07, 2020 3:38 pm

I'd like to own something like this for napping in the car on long drives

asleep at the wheel.png

dammit!

beat me to it.

No one is actually selling it in Australia, and it seem unlikely that it is actually a real clinical product at all.

See https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02698059 and pay attention to the dates!

Also https://www.entandaudiologynews.com/rev ... eep-apnoea which is pretty vague.

Several years ago, a similar product was promoted.
There was a cup that one had to periodically dump out the spit.
IF it worked, it could cause dry mouth or tongue hickeys.
No, thank you.

In the absence of such a device, I have to say that training my tongue to stay suctioned to the front roof of my mouth, preventing chin drop, and purposely positioning my face tilted slightly forward (not tucked) has enabled me to sleep sitting up without need for intervention for a few years now. While I can't swear what happens when I fall asleep, I don't wake up with indication I'm having events and those who observe me sleeping say I don't appear to have any problems breathing. I use one of those c-shaped pillows worn backwards. With the tongue, it's all about gravity. If one's' head is positioned properly the tongue will not fall back into the throat when it relaxes. It will fall forward, helping it stay sealed. Not that tongue position solves everyone's issues, but if it is your main contributor, managing it can be a game changer. When side sleeping I still abide by the same principle of being mindful of gravity. A flat pillow prevents chin drop. Sleeping on the edge of the pillow with the face tilted a bit downward helps maintain the tongue seal when using CPAP. Haven't lost air out my mouth in years, and that was a longstanding problem for me. I guess I'm just simulating what the device does.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 07, 2020 3:24 pm

It's not nearly as good as an optimized CPAP therapy.

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.

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

But, it will help some people who don't have the ability to optimize their CPAP therapy. In other words, better than nothing.

It seems that the trial is saying that this would only work for those with mild or moderate sleep apnea, but not those with severe sleep apnea. Right?

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.

Are there any third part user reviews of it somewhere, the kind that you see on Amazon.com?

I was also wondering, how would it keep sticking to your tongue while you're asleep? Wouldn't you accidentally spit it out while you're asleep? It has to stick to your mouth or tongue somehow.

WWu777 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:06 pm

It seems that the trial is saying that this would only work for those with mild or moderate sleep apnea, but not those with severe sleep apnea. Right?

No, that is not correct. The trial is only saying that a reduction of AHI is achieved in some cases. Check out their definition of "response rate".

"Would work" (your phrase) applies to CPAP. CPAP can and does reduce the AHI to normal, healthy levels. Of course, the CPAP therapy has to be optimized. But, even a poorly optimized APAP therapy will achieve better results that iNAP.

I see this is available in the US now. Has anyone had a chance to try it?

I had a 2 week trial in Taipei as part of my journey to CPAP.

Almost every night I spit out the mouthpiece.
I didn't feel better.
I returned it after a week.

It cost me $60 in the form of disposables (mouthpiece, saliva absorption packs, saliva reservoir)

The setup was pricey.
I can't find the paperwork, but I think it was about US$2000.
About the same pricing as an AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her in Taiwan.

Pricing is probably lower in other markets.

chima2g wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 29, 2021 5:14 am

I see this is available in the US now. Has anyone had a chance to try it?

Do you want a review from one random individual on the internet? Or do you want the peer-reviewed results of a 35-patient clinical study?

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 29, 2021 3:37 pm

chima2g wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 29, 2021 5:14 am

I see this is available in the US now. Has anyone had a chance to try it?

Do you want a review from one random individual on the internet? Or do you want the peer-reviewed results of a 35-patient clinical study?

grumpyhere isn't a random individual.

or IS he?

<dun,dun, DUNN!!>