Technological Breakthrough in Treatment of Sleep Apnea Offered at Leading Hospitals

If you can sleep for 6 to 8 hours at a stretch per night without any difficulty then you are possibly one of the few lucky ones. However if you can’t then this one goes out to you. If you are woken up multiple times each night by breathing difficulties or if you wake others up by loud snoring then you may be suffering from sleep apnea.

If you can sleep for 6 to 8 hours at a stretch per night without any difficulty then you are possibly one of the few lucky ones. However if you can’t then this one goes out to you. If you are woken up multiple times each night by breathing difficulties or if you wake others up by loud snoring then you may be suffering from sleep apnea. It may have been deemed incurable in the recent past, but advancement in science and technology has helped medical experts to come up with temporary as well as permanent solutions for those who are battling this condition.

People who do not suffer from the severe form of the disease are told to try the following as treatment for the condition: weight reduction, less alcohol consumption, regular sleeping hours, light exercises and modulations in diet. However severe/chronic forms of sleep apnea sometimes require minor surgeries and apparatus to help the patients get sound sleep each night. Not all of these surgeries or apparatus are costly or invasive; let us take a peek at the latest technological breakthroughs brought to us by the best researchers from around the world.

1. University of Texas at Arlington

The device mainly performs a diagnostic function; a collar like device is worn around the neck by patients to detect if the person suffers from sleep apnea. The device is equipped with ultrasonic sensors which send out ultrasonic waves to detect blockages in the person’s airways during sleep.

2. Indian Association of Surgeons for Sleep Apnea, TN, India

A group of ENT surgeons who study the surgical approaches to complete cure of sleep apnea. The group also uses advanced techniques to detect the presence of sleep apnea among suspected test groups. The main aim of this group is to raise awareness about sleep apnea, the causes and possible harmful effects by conducting workshops, live surgeries and giving hands on training all across the country.

3. Flinders Medical Center, Bedford Park, SA, Australia

A brilliant technique which creates channels in the tongue by tissue repositioning techniques performed by experts. The procedure takes mere 45 mins, however the patients undergoing this procedure show 76% less disturbance in breathing per night and 50% less day-time drowsiness.

4. Nyxoah S.A., Brussels, Belgium

A miniscule neurotransmitter implant (20mmx2.5mm) is inserted close to the nerve center at the back of the tongue. It is estimated to work for at least 12 years once placed. It has the capability to draw power from a disposable patch on the patient’s chin. This invention currently holds 11 patents for “Sleep Apnea Innovative Implant Technology”.

5. ApniCure Inc., Redwood City, CA, USA

This is a recent technology which uses Oral Pressure Therapy as a homecare for adults who suffer from OSA. This creates a negative pressure enough to hold the soft palette and the tongue out of the airway. It is a small three piece system with a vacuum console, a lithe mouthpiece and a sleek tubing set. This contraption is to be worn only during sleep to welcome a fresh day ahead.

6. Imthera Medical Inc., San Diego, CA, USA

The Aura6000 Targeted Hypoglossal Neurostimulation (THN) Sleep Therapy System is an open loop, two component system with implanted and external elements. This system activates the Hypoglossal nerves to prevent an episode of OSA. In implant is a multi-contact electrode responsible for pulse generation via a single leadwire. The external component includes the controller, programmer device and charger. A simple and yet effective set up to control and reduce OSA in adults.

7. The Pure Sleep Company, Larkspur, CA, USA

The PureSleep Anti-Snoring device is an FDA approved technique which uses Mandibular Repositioning Device or MRD technique to hold the lower mandible slightly forward thus creating an air passage to eliminate vibrations and snoring.