The startup develops an injectable neuromodulation device that provides a non-invasive alternative for improving sleep quality. This technology also has applications in treating bladder urgency, gastrointestinal diseases, autoimmune disorders, depression, pain, and cluster headaches, reducing the need for major surgeries and hospital stays.
Funding
$2.3M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Current treatments for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), such as CPAP machines, mouthpieces, and surgery, can be uncomfortable, invasive, and poorly tolerated by patients, leading to compliance issues and suboptimal outcomes. Many patients fail to adhere to PAP therapy or refuse it altogether, highlighting the need for alternative, less burdensome solutions.
Solution
StimAire is developing an injectable neuromodulation device coupled with a wearable component, offering a minimally invasive alternative for treating OSA. The system utilizes a small, rice-grain-sized injectable receiver/stimulator, placed near the hypoglossal nerve via a simple injection under local anesthesia. A peel-and-stick wearable, worn at night, wirelessly activates the injectable to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve, preventing airway obstruction during sleep. This approach aims to provide a more comfortable and convenient treatment option compared to traditional methods, potentially improving patient compliance and quality of life.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes adult patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who have difficulty tolerating or have not found relief with existing treatments like CPAP, as well as physicians specializing in sleep medicine and otolaryngology.
Features
- Minimally invasive implantation of a rice-grain-sized neurostimulator via a 17-gauge needle under ultrasound guidance
- Wireless activation of the injectable stimulator using a small, comfortable peel-and-stick wearable
- Targeted stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve to prevent airway obstruction during sleep
- Battery-free injectable receiver/stimulator design
- Intended for patients who have failed, cannot tolerate, or refuse Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) treatments
- Potential for in-office procedure under local anesthesia, reducing the need for major surgery and hospital stays
- Designed with readily available components to expedite the path to production