ImThera’s Initiates THN3 Sleep Apnea Study

ImThera Medical has initiated its THN3 sleep apnea study, with the implantation of its aura6000 system in two patients, the San Diego, Calif., devicemaker announced Monday. The surgeries were conducted at the Atlanta Outpatient Surgery Center in Sandy Springs, Ga.

The aura6000 uses the company’s THN Sleep Therapy technology to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve, which strengthens tongue muscles to prevent the tongue from collapsing into the upper airway while a patient is asleep. The device has two implanatable parts, a compact rechargeable pulse generator that goes under the skin near the collarbone and a multi-electrode lead that goes in the upper neck.

The study is being conducted in the U.S. and Europe. ImTherma Medical plans to file a PMA application upon conclusion of the trial. — Jason Scott