Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Conditions
Keywords
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, motor neuron disease, diaphragm, diaphragm pacing, diaphragmatic pacing, phrenic pacing, phrenic nerve, phrenic nerve stimulation, NeuRx DPS, DPS, chronic hypoventilation, respiration, ventilation, breathing, Humanitarian Device Exemption, HDE, post-approval study
Brief summary
This post-approval study will follow 60 participants who have ALS, documented chronic hypoventilation, and bilateral phrenic nerve function, and who undergo the surgical implantation procedure to receive the NeuRx Diaphragm Pacing System device. Participants who are successfully implanted with the device will use it for daily diaphragm conditioning sessions. Participants will be followed for at least two years (until the last enrolled participant reaches the 2-year follow-up visit). Safety and probable benefit outcome measures will be assessed.
Detailed description
This is a prospective, non-randomized, open-label, interventional, post-approval (FDA) study of the NeuRx Diaphragm Pacing System (DPS) device. The study will enroll 60 participants who have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), meet the FDA-approved device indications for use, and undergo the surgical implantation procedure to receive the device. The device is intended for use in ALS patients with a stimulatable diaphragm (both right and left portions) as demonstrated by voluntary contraction or phrenic nerve conduction studies, and who are experiencing chronic hypoventilation (CH), but not progressed to an FVC less than 45% predicted. Participants who are successfully implanted with the device will use it for daily diaphragm conditioning sessions. Participants will be followed for at least two years (until the last enrolled participant reaches the 2-year follow-up visit). Safety and probable benefit outcome measures will be assessed. The primary objective of the study is: (1) (Safety) Characterize the types and frequency of major device-related adverse events (AEs) over the time of device use. Secondary objectives of the study are: (2) (Safety) Determine whether the frequency of major device-related AEs increases dramatically toward end of life; and (3) (Probable Benefit) Determine whether there is a relationship between survival time and onset type (bulbar and limb), time from onset to treatment, and use of NIV, riluzole, or PEG in patients treated with the device.
Interventions
The NeuRx DPS is a percutaneous, intramuscular, diaphragm stimulation system which is implanted using standard laparoscopic surgical techniques in an outpatient procedure. The implanted intramuscular diaphragm electrodes are connected to a four channel external stimulator at a percutaneous exit site. DPS is designed to help ALS patients breathe by providing conditioning stimulation of the diaphragm muscles. Recommended frequency of diaphragm conditioning is at least 3 times per day with each session lasting at least 30 minutes. Patients may find it helpful to use the DPS for longer periods to help with breathing. DPS may be used at the same time as non-invasive ventilation. Patents may also sleep with the DPS to assist with breathing difficulties at night.
Sponsors
Synapse Biomedical
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Age 21 or older. 2. Participants with familial or sporadic ALS diagnosed as laboratory-supported probable, probable, or definite according to the World Federation of Neurology El Escorial criteria. 3. Bilateral phrenic nerve function clinically acceptable as demonstrated by bilateral diaphragm movement with fluoroscopic sniff test or with EMG recordings and nerve conduction times. 4. Chronic hypoventilation was documented by at least one of the following: * FVC less than 50% predicted, or * \|MIP\| less than 60 cmH2O, or * PaCO2 greater than or equal to 45 mmHg, or * Nocturnal SaO2 less than or equal to 88% for at least five continuous minutes 5. Suitable surgical candidate. 6. Negative pregnancy test in female participants of childbearing potential. 7. Informed consent from patient or designated representative.
Exclusion criteria
1. Underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease that would increase the risk of general anesthesia. 2. Underlying pulmonary diseases that were present prior to ALS that would affect pulmonary tests independent of ALS. 3. Uncontrolled excessive secretions. 4. FVC less than 45% predicted at time of surgery. 5. Preexisting implanted electrical device such as pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator. 6. Pre-existing diaphragm abnormality such as a hiatal hernia or paraesophageal hernia of abdominal contents going into the thoracic cavity.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Outcome Measure -- Occurrence of major device-related (including procedure-related) adverse events as defined below. | follow-up assessments at 3-month intervals | * Serious capnothorax requiring invasive intervention * Mechanical ventilation for 24 hours or longer post-procedure * Post-procedure extubation failure resulting in permanent tracheostomy ventilation * Perioperative complication which delays initiation of NeuRx DPS therapy * Severe discomfort due to stimulation which is unable to be tolerated or resolved * Device malfunction which interrupts or causes an undesired diminution of NeuRx DPS therapy * Electrode dislodgement from the diaphragm * Wire infection * Any other device- or procedure-related serious adverse event |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Probable Benefit Outcome Measure | follow-up assessments at 3-month intervals | Survival, defined as time to (a) death or (b) permanent tracheostomy mechanical ventilation (PTV) with discontinuation of pacing. (All deaths and PTV events will be reported regardless of relationship to the device or procedure.) |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed