Sleep apnea: “We are going to transform lives with a simple iPhone” – this Swedish company tests screening without any sensor

While sleep apnea affects hundreds of millions of adults without them knowingSleep Cycle announces the launch of a clinical study to validate a screening tool … based solely on the audio captured by a smartphone. Ambition? Open a new front in prevention, at the crossroads of AI, health and accessibility.

Detect sleep apnea with an iPhone? Sleep cycle believes in it

Obstructive sleep apnea (AOS) is an invisible threat: 950 million adults would suffer in the world, 80 % of which without knowing it. However, behind the snoring and the micro-acknowledgments hide major risks for the heart, the brain and the quality of life. The home screening market explodes, but remains dominated by expensive or bulky equipment.

It is here that Sleep Cycle enters the scene. The Swedish company, already well known for its sleep analysis application, wants to go much further. It announces a clinical study to validate a apnea screening tool requiring … only an iPhone. Thanks to artificial intelligence, the microphone of your phone captures and interprets nocturnal respiratory sounds, without accessory or bracelet. Yes, really.

At the head of this study, we find Dr. Mike Gradisar – a recognized specialist in sleep – supported by Dr. Mikael Kågebäck, expert in AI. Together, they refine an audio model capable of identifying the subtle signs of AOS in real environments, with a precision which promises to be promising. All without sensor glued to the skin or obliged passage in sleep clinic.

This initiative already benefits from an ethical green light and a pre-agreement with the American Food and Drug Products (FDA). The message is clear: Sleep Cycle wants to place the bar high, scientifically and regulations.