The National Sleep Foundation is pleased to announce its partnership with LARK, creator of the award-winning sleep monitor, silent alarm clock, and personal sleep coach, to educate consumers on the importance of sleep and the best practices for sleep health.

“We’re excited by the potential of the convergence of technology and interest in sleep,” says David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “LARK is at the cutting edge of consumer sleep devices and by working together, the National Sleep Foundation and LARK can help everyone understand how to make the most of their time in bed.”

LARK worked with top sleep experts to design an actigraph wristband that detects wearers’ unique sleep patterns and wirelessly uploads them to their iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Users get an immediate picture of how they’ve slept and analysis shows what “Sleep Type” they are and the easiest ways for them personally to improve. LARK offers a premium subscription, LARK Pro, which actively coaches people towards improving their sleep. The LARK wristband also features a silent alarm that wakes the wearer gently by mild vibrations. Read the rest of this entry

Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

United States Anesthesia and Respiratory Devices Market Outlook to 2017 – Respiratory Devices, Respiratory Measurement Devices, Airway and Anesthesia Devices, Anesthesia Machines, Sleep Apnea Diagnostic Systems, Pain Management Devices and Others

The report provides key market data on the United States Anesthesia and Respiratory Devices market. The report provides value (USD million), volume (units) and average price (USD) data for each segment and sub-segment within eight market categories – Airway and Anesthesia Devices, Anesthesia Machines, Pain Management Devices, Regional Anesthesia Disposables, Respiratory Devices, Respiratory Disposables, Respiratory Measurement Devices and Sleep Apnea Diagnostic Systems. Read the rest of this entry

Henry Schein Inc., the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, today announced the launch of its Sleep Complete™ program, a new integrated comprehensive solution that provides all of the information and products necessary for the successful implementation of dental sleep medicine into the dental practice. A key component of this package will be Itamar-Medical’s WatchPAT home test device for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.The Sleep Complete package will be offered to dentists through a bundled financing package which should significantly lower the financial barrier to entry that often faces dentists interested in incorporating sleep medicine into their practice. Read the rest of this entry

Bam Labs aims to make health monitoring easier for people while they sleep. Notably, the company’s sensor is not wearable, but it tracks heart rate, breathing, and movement during sleep, and the company says it can even diagnose sleep apnea — all from a mattress pad located beneath the user.

The Bam Labs device was designed by former Apple employees. It is intended for use both in clinical settings and for home health.

The device functions through a sensor “at one corner of the pad. Air-pressure fluctuations caused by the tiny tremors caused by heartbeats or the more sizable shaking that occurs when someone turns over or gets out of bed are measured and controlled. Read the rest of this entry

A study appearing in the November 2011 issue of the Journal of  Clinical Sleep Medicine finds that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)  patients treated with Provent Sleep Apnea Therapywere not only compliant  with the therapy but also showed a reduction in apnea-hypopnea index  (AHI).

“This study provides further validation that Provent Therapy is an  effective treatment for some OSA patients as it reduces daytime  sleepiness, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and snoring associated with this  prevalent condition,” said Meir Kryger, MD, of Gaylord Sleep Medicine  and past president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

“Patients  reported wearing the device almost 90% of the nights, which represents  very high compliance. The current gold standard, continuous positive  airway pressure (CPAP) is very effective but many patients do not use it  adequately. Provent represents an important new treatment option for  many obstructive sleep apnea patients.” Read the rest of this entry

The American Sleep Apnea Association has recognized CPAP or Continuous Positive Air Pressure as one of the most effective and reliable therapeutic options for the management of mild to moderate sleep apnea. For restoration of normal breathing, choosing the best mask for CPAP is the most critical concern area, especially for patients who are put on this therapy for the first time.

It involves pumping in pre-measured pressurized air directly in to the lungs. One of the most important components of the equipment set is the mask, also known as the sleep apnea masks, since they carry the pressurized air into the lungs generated by the machine.

Reasons why this component should be purchased carefully

- Comfort and ease of use of the item is of paramount importance. Any discomfort can mean discontinuation of therapy.

- Air leakage can mar the efficacy of the therapy. Therefore the item should be bought only after seriously considering various aspects of usage. This is the only way the user can continue with the therapy and enjoy the benefits. Read the rest of this entry

SleepApneaDisorder/ [  Press Release  ]/ Versailles, Ohio /October 17, 2011/ Sleep Apnea: A Growing Health Concern According to the National Institute  of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, an estimated 18 million Americans have  sleep apnea. However, few of them have had the problem diagnosed.

Sleep apnea is the repeated interruption of normal breathing during sleep.  Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of breathing-related sleep disorder. In patients with OSA, the airway collapses, temporarily restricting  airflow to the lungs. This partial airway obstruction causes the upper airway  tissue to vibrate and produce the sound of the classic snore.

As OSA develops, it has a cumulative effect, meaning that the longer the  disease goes untreated, the greater the negative side effects and associated  health risks. According to numerous  research studies, if sleep apnea remains untreated, other health conditions  may emerge or current health problems may worsen, including: Read the rest of this entry

Innovative sleep apnea compliance solution integrates to leading Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) manufacturers.

Umbian Inc. is pleased to announce U-Sleep; the first commercially available, universal CPAP compliance monitoring solution. U-Sleep monitors CPAP device usage, providing critical daily feedback to CPAP users, their employers, sleep specialists and insurance carriers, based on customizable compliance standards.

CPAP devices are commonly used for the treatment of sleep apnea. The monitoring of CPAP device usage encourages regular use and subsequently improves the effectiveness of therapy. As part of an overall sleep apnea management program, U-Sleep can help companies achieve a decrease in absenteeism, accidents and liability while providing an increase in productivity and quality of life for their employees. Read the rest of this entry

SleepApneaDisorder/[Press Release]/ Philips Respironics, a unit of Royal Philips Electronics is shaping the future of sleep therapy by providing an innovative technology for treating and managing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – in its most advanced CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device to date. The new REMstar Pro with AutoIQ is a prime example of an intelligent solution that allows providers and physicians to deliver exceptional care while helping their patients take control of their sleep therapy.

The new AutoIQ mode has the ability to track a patient’s progress over several nights, establish or readjust to an ideal therapy pressure, and check back periodically to reassess and adjust treatment as needed. This is all done without requiring the provider to visit the patient’s home. Read the rest of this entry

New research that was presented at the 20th Anniversary Meeting of  the American Academy of  Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) in Minneapolis quantified the efficacy  of mandibular advancement splints (MAS) using a self-administered,  at-home device to monitor snoring and sleep-disordered breathing.

The current study used the Sonomat, a portable, unobtrusive device  that has sensors contained within a mattress overlay. These sensors  measure apnea hypopnea index (AHI) by detecting and recording snoring,  breathing, and body movements.

Results show that MAS treatment reduced the average AHI from 10.3  events per hour to 3.8 events per hour. The respiratory event movement  index (RMI), which records more types of events than AHI, was reduced  from 15.9 events per hour to 7.6 events per hour. Read the rest of this entry

Fragmented sleep, loud snoring, debilitating daytime fatigue, low oxygen levels, missed work days, morning headaches and problems remembering and concentrating are among the symptoms of sleep apnea disorder, the most common sleep disorder.

According to estimates there are more than 18 million Americans suffer from the deadly disorder called sleep apnea.

One of the first steps is generally to undergo an overnight sleep evaluation, or “nocturnal polysomnogram.” It is commonly known as overnight sleep study at the sleep center.

Patients spend one night in a special laboratory or a bedroom hooked up to sophisticated computer equipment that monitors heart, lung and brain activity; breathing patterns; arm and leg movements; and blood oxygen levels. The room generally includes soft lighting; a comfortable bed; a quiet, calming atmosphere; television; and other amenities to help the patient sleep.

In some cases, a portable home monitoring device can also be used to track heart rate, blood oxygen level, airflow and breathing patterns. Unfortunately, however, it does not always provide the most effective readings. An overnight, in-center polysomnogram may still be needed.

SleepApneaDisorder/[ Press Release ]/ July05,2011/ Sleep Group  Solutions (SGS) is pleased to announce the widespread launch of InterpStudies.com, a home sleep  study interpretation portal. Home sleep testing has been among the fastest  growing segments of the sleep and medical market as it is a viable and cost  effective study, similar to the overnight PSG tests done in sleep labs.

Home sleep tests (HST), such as the Embletta  is the same home sleep test device used today in many hospitals, Sleep Disorders Centers, VA  and Kaiser Systems.  These home sleep tests are user friendly, and frequently  administered by primary care physicians, internal medicine physicians, dentists  and other specialties. Since Embletta supplies many sleep labs with sleep study  technology-sleep doctors are familiar with the data and diagnosing is seamless  when studies are uploaded to InterpStudies.com.   Read the rest of this entry

Watermark  Medical Inc, Boca Raton, Fla, recently announced that it will offer CareFusion’s  NOX-T3 Home Sleep Testing (HST) device for the diagnosis of obstructive  sleep apnea (OSA). The NOX-T3 portable sleep monitor will be available  through Watermark Medical’s network and will expand the company’s HST  product line, which already includes the ARES wireless HST device.

“We are excited to add another HST option to our current offering,”  said Charlie Alvarez, president of Watermark Medical. “As obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) awareness increased and insurance companies are mandating a home sleep test option, availability of the CareFusion NOX-T3 home sleep testing device allows us to further expand the Watermark Medical platform and allow  other HST devices to access our extensive physician, sleep lab, and DME  networks.”

CareFusion’s NOX-T3 features an array of sleep sensors, including a  Bluetooth receiver. The product will be available via Watermark  Medical’s nationwide network in Q3 2011.

SleepApneaDisorder/[Press Release ]/Minneapolis, MN/June 29, 2011/-Somnetics, International Inc., the maker of the Transcend travel CPAP, is pleased to announce the addition of four new dealers to its list of dealers selling Transcend. They include:

A.W.C.S. Medical
1392 Oliver, Ste D
Porterville, California 93257
559-784-3333

AV Respiratory Services
1601 W Ave J, Ste 201
Lancaster, California 93534

Perry Home Medical Supply
530 Park Ave East
Princeton, Illinois 61356
815-876-3068

Northshore Sleep Medicine
3451 Church Street
Evenson, Illinois 60203
847-674-3600 Read the rest of this entry

Inspire  Medical Systems, Minneapolis, recently announced that its STAR  (Stimulation Therapy for Apnea Reduction) trial, evaluating both the  safety and effectiveness of Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS)  therapy in patients who suffer from moderate to severe obstructive sleep  apnea (OSA), is now under way at nine medical centers in the United  States and four sites in Europe. In addition, several OSA patients have  already been implanted with Inspire therapy in the STAR trial.