We have some exciting news to share this morning! Our at-home sleep apnoea testing device, AcuPebble, has been recommended for fully remote diagnosis by NICE. NICE, the body that creates and publishes clinical guidelines for healthcare professionals, has recognised AcuPebble as a viable alternative to the home gold standard for diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) - cardio-respiratory polygraphy, which involves multiple uncomfortable sensors and complex equipment. This recommendation is a breakthrough for OSA patients, as it transforms how the condition is diagnosed, making the process more accessible, efficient, and patient-friendly.
Historically, healthcare professionals faced significant challenges when selecting diagnostic methods for OSA. While cardio-respiratory polygraphy was considered the “gold standard” for home testing, it involved cumbersome equipment, multiple appointments for system pick-up and return, and training sessions. This complexity made the process uncomfortable and time-consuming for patients, and limited its use to a small fraction of those who needed it. As a result, as many as 80% of OSA cases went undiagnosed in the UK, leading to serious risks such as cardiovascular disease, car accidents, daytime fatigue, and reduced quality of life.
In contrast, AcuPebble simplifies the process entirely. Patients now receive a small, reusable, and environmentally friendly device that is easy to use and virtually unnoticeable during sleep. No more appointments or training sessions - patients can complete the sleep study from the comfort of their own home, significantly improving convenience and reducing the burden on both patients and healthcare professionals.
This advancement is not only more comfortable for patients but also makes OSA diagnosis more equitable. AcuPebble’s design ensures that all patients, regardless of their location or socio-economic background, can access high-quality, accurate results without the need for complicated equipment or extensive clinic visits. It democratises healthcare access, giving everyone a fair chance at timely, reliable diagnosis.
AcuPebble also helps reduce the strain on healthcare professionals by delivering results quickly and accurately, without the need for extensive interpretation time. This streamlines the diagnostic process, reduces waiting lists, and lowers overall costs for the NHS. NICE’s recommendation confirms AcuPebble’s potential to become a standard of care in diagnosing OSA, offering a more accessible, efficient, and scalable solution to improve patient access.
Proudly made in the UK, AcuPebble is setting the stage for a more sustainable, inclusive, and effective future for OSA diagnosis.
About Acurable
Acurable creates accurate and user-friendly wearable medical devices intended to be used by patients at home. Its award-winning, patented technology enables for the first time the automated diagnosis and management of respiratory conditions at home. It is a breakthrough in respiratory medicine and the product of more than 10 years’ research at Imperial College London by Acurable’s founder, Professor Esther Rodriguez Villegas. Its first product, AcuPebble SA100, is the first wearable medical device to obtain the CE mark for the automated diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea at home. Acurable is backed by investors from Alma Mundi Ventures and Kindred Capital. For more information, please visit www.acurable.com.