Skip to content

Diaphragm Pacing System (DPS) In Participants With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Multi-Center, Randomized Controlled Study of the NeuRx® Diaphragm Pacing System™ (DPS)In Participants With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01938495
Acronym
DPS in ALS
Enrollment
52
Registered
2013-09-10
Start date
2013-08-31
Completion date
2017-04-30
Last updated
2023-03-09

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Keywords

ALS, DPS, Diaphragm Pacing

Brief summary

The study is being conducted to determine if DPS treatment for people with ALS and hypoventilation is associated with improved survival or diaphragm function. The primary objective of the study is to conduct a multi-center, randomized controlled clinical trial comparing standard of care (control) to diaphragm stimulator treatment with the NeuRx® Diaphragm Pacing System™ (DPS) with respect to survival. The secondary objective of the study is to conduct a multi-center, randomized controlled clinical trial to compare standard of care treatment (control) to DPS in ALS subjects with hypoventilation.

Detailed description

The study is a randomized controlled study to compare standard of care (control) to DPS (diaphragm stimulator named The NeuRx® Diaphragm Pacing System™). Although it remains uncertain if DPS is efficacious for the ALS subject, given the preliminary studies performed by the device manufacturer, it has received FDA humanitarian device exemption (HDE) approval as a humanitarian use device (HUD). This study will utilize a 2:1 randomization schedule such that eligible ALS subjects will have a 2/3 chance of receiving DPS and 1/3 chance of standard of care (control) treatment. The NeuRx® Diaphragm Pacing System™ (DPS) is a four channel, implanted percutaneous diaphragm muscle stimulation system. Under general anesthesia, the intramuscular electrodes are laparoscopically implanted in the diaphragm. The ends of the implanted electrodes are tunneled subcutaneously to an exit site on the chest or abdominal wall and connected to an external stimulator.

Interventions

DEVICENeuRx® Diaphragm Pacing System™ (DPS)

The NeuRx® Diaphragm Pacing System™ (DPS) is a four channel, implanted percutaneous diaphragm muscle stimulation system. Pictures of the device are provided in the Clinician's Manual for the NeuRx® DPS procedure and technique guide from the manufacture Synapse Biomedical, Inc. Under general anesthesia, the intramuscular electrodes are laparoscopically implanted in the diaphragm. The ends of the implanted electrodes are tunneled subcutaneously to an exit site on the chest or abdominal wall and connected to an external stimulator.

Sponsors

ALS Association
CollaboratorOTHER
Muscular Dystrophy Association
CollaboratorOTHER
Synapse Biomedical
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Barrow Neurological Institute
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Age 21 years or older. 2. Sporadic or familial ALS diagnosed as definite, probable or possible ALS as defined by revised El Escorial criteria. 3. Evidence of hypoventilation at Screening with at least one of the following: 1. Maximal static inspiratory pressure (MIP) \<60 cm H20. 2. Upright or supine forced vital capacity (FVC) \<50% predicted for gender, age, and height. 4. A phrenic nerve potential should be recordable bilaterally. 5. Subjects must not have taken riluzole for at least 30 days, or be on a stable dose of riluzole for at least 30 days, prior to randomization (riluzole-naïve subjects are permitted in the study). 6. Capable of providing informed consent and following trial procedures. 7. Geographically accessible to the site. 8. Negative urine pregnancy test at Screening in women of child bearing potential (WOCBP). (Women who are post-menopausal or who have had a hysterectomy are deemed not of child bearing potential). 9. Women of child bearing potential must use an adequate form of contraception: abstinence, hormonal contraception (oral contraception, implanted contraception, injected contraception or other hormonal (patch or contraceptive ring, for example) contraception), intrauterine device (IUD) in place for ≥ 3 months, barrier method in conjunction with spermicide, or another adequate method.

Exclusion criteria

1. Upright forced vital capacity (FVC) ≤ 45% of predicted for gender, age, and height. 2. Any prior use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) outside of sleep (nighttime or naps). 3. Any pulmonary or cardiac disorder or other medical disorder that would be a contraindication for general anesthesia or DPS hardware implantation in the chest. 4. Implanted electrical device such as a pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator. 5. Known diaphragm abnormality such as hiatal hernia or para-esophageal hernia of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity. 6. Participation in another treatment research study for people with ALS. 7. Exposure to any other agent currently under investigation for the treatment of people with ALS (off-label use or investigational) within 30 days of the Screening Visit. 8. Clinically significant history of unstable or severe cardiac, oncologic, hepatic, psychiatric, renal disease, or other medically significant illness. 9. Pregnant women or women currently breastfeeding.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
SurvivalSubjects will be assessed on a monthly basis for an 18 month period.

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
quality of lifeSubjects will be assessed on a monthly basis for an 18 month period.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026