# In Vitro Investigation of the PneumoWave Biosensor for the Identification of Central Sleep Apnea in Pediatrics

## TL;DR

This paper explores using the PneumoWave biosensor to detect central sleep apnea in children at home, offering a simpler and more accessible alternative to traditional sleep labs.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the potential of repurposing the PneumoWave biosensor for home-based detection of central sleep apnea in pediatrics.

## Key findings

- The PneumoWave biosensor successfully recorded simulated apnea episodes in an in vitro model.
- The device performed well across pediatric breathing rates, suggesting suitability for home use.
- Findings support further exploration of the biosensor for home sleep apnea testing.

## Abstract

The interpretation and diagnosis of central sleep apnea in pediatrics by nocturnal polysomnography is challenging due to its technical complexity, which involves the simultaneous recording of multiple physiological parameters related to sleep and wakefulness. Furthermore, the unfamiliar environment of a sleep laboratory can hinder sleep evaluation, and diagnostic backlogs are common due to restricted capacity at specialist tertiary centers. The ability to undertake home sleep studies in a familiar environment using simple, robust, and low-cost technology is attractive. The potential to repurpose the PneumoWave biosensor, a UKCA Class 1 device, registered as an accelerometer-based monitoring device that is intended to capture and store chest motion data continuously over a period of time for retrospective analysis, was explored in an in vitro model of central sleep apnea. The PneumoWave system contains a biosensor (PW010), which was able to record simulated apnea episodes of 5 to 20 s across physiologically relevant pediatric breathing rates using an in vitro manikin model and manual annotation. The findings confirm that the PneumoWave biosensor could be a useful technology to support home sleep apnea testing and warrant further exploration.