Airable - OSA V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Airable technology for the monitoring of respiratory mechanics during sleep. A cross-sectional proof-of-concept study.
IRAS ID
349254
Contact name
Christopher Turnbull
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a condition where the throat repeatedly closes during sleep, causing loud snoring
and disrupted sleep. This leads to poor sleep quality, excessive sleepiness, and risk of car accidents. OSA also
contributes to high blood pressure, heart problems, and higher mortality rates. Around 1 billion adults globally have
OSA, including 8 million in the UK, but most are undiagnosed and untreated, risking serious health issues.
The best way to diagnose OSA is through an overnight sleep study in a lab or at home, which uses sensors to monitor
breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate. There is a shortage of capacity for sleep studies in the UK, with only 16,000
tests done monthly. At this rate, it would take decades to find everybody with OSA. There is a clear need for new
diagnostic methods.
New devices, including the Sunrise, AcuPebble, Brizzy, and WatchPAT are available. However, these still require people
to wear a device (wearable) and collect equipment either from hospital or via the post. Airable technologies work with
signals transmitted through the air, such as sound or movement via technologies including sonar and radar.
Reviva Softworks is a software company that make apps for tracking sleep such as SnoreLab and Sleepwave. They
have developed a patented airable technology called PureTone that tracks movement and is currently used in a smart
alarm app, Sleepwave. PureTone technology has been shown to be able to measure breathing rate and pattern in the
daytime, showing potential as an Airable technology for the identification of OSA. PureTone has not yet been tested as
an Airable technology in people with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This study aims to provide proof of
concept that PureTone can monitor respiratory mechanics overnight by comparing it to home sleep tests in patients
suspected of having OSA.REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
25/SS/0098
Date of REC Opinion
3 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion