Diaphragm Pacing System (DPS) In Participants With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

The study is a randomized controlled study to compare standard of care (control) to DPS (diaphragm stimulator named The NeuRx® Diaphragm Pacing System™). Although it remains uncertain if DPS is efficacious for the ALS subject, given the preliminary studies performed by the device manufacturer, it has received FDA humanitarian device exemption (HDE) approval as a humanitarian use device (HUD). This study will utilize a 2:1 randomization schedule such that eligible ALS subjects will have a 2/3 chance of receiving DPS and 1/3 chance of standard of care (control) treatment.

The NeuRx® Diaphragm Pacing System™ (DPS) is a four channel, implanted percutaneous diaphragm muscle stimulation system. Under general anesthesia, the intramuscular electrodes are laparoscopically implanted in the diaphragm. The ends of the implanted electrodes are tunneled subcutaneously to an exit site on the chest or abdominal wall and connected to an external stimulator.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 21 years or older.
• Sporadic or familial ALS diagnosed as definite, probable or possible ALS as defined by revised El Escorial criteria.
• Evidence of hypoventilation at Screening with at least one of the following:

• Maximal static inspiratory pressure (MIP) <60 cm H20.
• Upright or supine forced vital capacity (FVC) <50% predicted for gender, age, and height.
• A phrenic nerve potential should be recordable bilaterally.
• Subjects must not have taken riluzole for at least 30 days, or be on a stable dose of riluzole for at least 30 days, prior to randomization (riluzole-naïve subjects are permitted in the study).
• Capable of providing informed consent and following trial procedures.
• Geographically accessible to the site.
• Negative urine pregnancy test at Screening in women of child bearing potential (WOCBP). (Women who are post-menopausal or who have had a hysterectomy are deemed not of child bearing potential).
• Women of child bearing potential must use an adequate form of contraception: abstinence, hormonal contraception (oral contraception, implanted contraception, injected contraception or other hormonal (patch or contraceptive ring, for example) contraception), intrauterine device (IUD) in place for ≥ 3 months, barrier method in conjunction with spermicide, or another adequate method.

Exclusion criteria

• Upright forced vital capacity (FVC) ≤ 45% of predicted for gender, age, and height.
• Any prior use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) outside of sleep (nighttime or naps).
• Any pulmonary or cardiac disorder or other medical disorder that would be a contraindication for general anesthesia or DPS hardware implantation in the chest.
• Implanted electrical device such as a pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator.
• Known diaphragm abnormality such as hiatal hernia or para-esophageal hernia of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity.
• Participation in another treatment research study for people with ALS.
• Exposure to any other agent currently under investigation for the treatment of people with ALS (off-label use or investigational) within 30 days of the Screening Visit.
• Clinically significant history of unstable or severe cardiac, oncologic, hepatic, psychiatric, renal disease, or other medically significant illness.
• Pregnant women or women currently breastfeeding.