Professor Akhil Tripathi provides insight into the inspiration behind a new and unique medical device for the effective daytime treatment of sleep apnoea, the challenges faced in developing and launching it and his perceptions into the the next era of healthcare innovation.
eXciteOSA is a ‘groundbreaking’ device offering a new approach to managing sleep apnoea, without requiring patients to wear anything overnight.
Created by Signifier Medical Technologies, this daytime-use solution employs neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to target the underlying cause of mild obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring.
With clinical studies showing up to a 52% reduction in AHI (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index) and over 80% patient adherence, it offers a convincing alternative to current and widely used treatment options. Here, Professor Akhil Tripathi, one of the driving forces behind the innovation, gives insights into his inspiration behind the device while also discussing his thoughts on the ever evolving medtech sector.
Professor Tripathi, what led you to develop a treatment like eXciteOSA?
The motivation was to challenge the status quo. Sleep apnoea treatments haven’t evolved much in decades. Most existing options are uncomfortable, cumbersome, and often negatively affect sleep rather than improve it. I wanted to design something radically different, something that empowers patients by treating the condition during the day, not just managing symptoms at night.
Your background spans various healthcare innovations. What drew you to sleep apnoea specifically?
Breathing well at night is critical to functioning during the day. Sleep apnoea doesn’t just cause snoring, it actually disrupts oxygen flow, impacts brain and heart health, and is linked to serious conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and depression. Most concerningly, nearly a billion people are affected worldwide.
To me, this was an opportunity to make a significant difference to quality of life at scale. I’ve always believed sleep is one of the cornerstones of overall health and is something everyone should take as seriously as nutrition and exercise.
How has the patient response shaped eXciteOSA so far?
Patient feedback has been at the core of everything we’ve done. Over the past decade, we’ve refined the product to make it as easy and user-friendly as possible. Our mantra has always been ‘keep it simple, keep it effective’. We’ve also worked hard to ensure access is inclusive and have seen positive results from over 10,000 users to date which is extremely encouraging.
Were there any unexpected challenges in bringing this concept to life?
Absolutely. We knew we had a novel concept in creating a device for use during the day to treat a nighttime issue, but that also meant educating the market and stepping into new territory. It has taken a great deal of investment in rigorous studies and peer-reviewed publications to validate the science, but our dedication and persistence is starting to pay off with user response and experience.
Building a cross-disciplinary team must have been complex. How did you manage that?
Bringing together a team of engineers, healthcare providers, designers, and regulatory experts comes with challenges, but I see diversity as a real asset. Our success came from creating an environment where each person’s unique perspective was respected and encouraged. My role has been to guide, listen, and keep the mission clear. I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve built and the strong partnerships we’ve developed as a result.
What innovations in healthcare excite you right now?
I’ve been really intrigued by developments in wearables and smart health devices. Companies like Apple are doing interesting work in sleep tracking, which helps raise awareness about sleep disorders. The more people realise the importance of sleep health, the more they seek early intervention, which aligns perfectly with what we offer.
What do you think will define the next era of healthcare innovation?
Predictive technologies, especially those powered by AI, are changing everything. Early detection, personalised treatment plans, and risk modelling are becoming more sophisticated. I expect we’ll see a significant shift toward proactive, preventative car, especially when it comes to chronic conditions. The goal will be to catch problems before they escalate, reducing industry costs and improving healthcare long-term.
And what’s next on the roadmap for eXciteOSA?
We’ve proven the device works, now the priority is to make it widely available. That means working with healthcare providers to introduce the solution to patients directly so cost doesn’t become a main barrier. Another key priority is education. So many people still don’t understand how sleep apnoea develops and the alternative treatment methods available so it’s vital that we as a business build credibility here and take leadership in this role.
To learn more, visit: https://exciteosa.com
