Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's SensAwake^TM Technology

Christian Kiely
Marketing Manager
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Inc.
Irvine, CA

WHAT IS SENSAWAKE^TM?

SensAwake^TM is a technology that is integrated into our SleepStyle^TM 200 Auto CPAP. SensAwake^TM uses flow to continuously monitor patients' breathing patterns. What it does is it senses the change from breathing patterns associated with sleep to those associated with awake states. Once it detects a transition from sleep to awake it promptly reduces that pressure delivered to the patient.

WHY WAS SENSAWAKE^TM DEVELOPED?

Patients on CPAP therapy commonly arouse from sleep and experience periods of wakefulness. Pressure delivery can impact a patient's ability to get back to sleep; comfort during this time is critical. Since pressure is not required while patients are awake, we developed a technology that could sense the patient transition from sleep to wake. Once this was developed, the next logical step would be to reduce the pressure to the lowest, most comfortable level for the patient to help them get back to sleep. Once they get back to sleep, the pressure treatment profile will return to the auto algorithm to determine the appropriate pressure delivery for the patient at that time.

ISN’T THERE A RISK THAT LOWERING THE PRESSURE WILL INDUCE MORE EVENTS?

SensAwake^TM technology works in conjunction with our Auto CPAP algorithm. In fact, the auto algorithm is the dominant algorithm. So, if SensAwake^TM begins to lower pressure delivery and the patient returns to sleep and begins to have sleep disordered breathing events, the auto algorithm will immediately take over and treat any events.

WHAT CPAP DEVICES WILL IT BE AVAILABLE IN?

SensAwake^TM is available in the SleepStyle^TM 200 Auto CPAP. The company plans to add this technology as a cornerstone to future CPAP platforms as they are released in the future.

WHEN WILL IT BE AVAILABLE?

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare highlighted SensAwake^TM technology at the SLEEP meeting in Baltimore in mid-June. The SleepStyle^TM 200 Auto CPAP with SensAwake^TM is currently available in several global markets and FDA clearance is pending for U.S. sales. The company anticipates sales of the product in the U.S. later this year.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SENSAWAKE^TM?

Ultimately what matters most is patient comfort. With SensAwake^TM, patients receive effective and comfortable treatment that adjusts to suit their needs during both sleep and awake states. We feel that SensAwake^TM will help providers ensure that their patients are as comfortable as they can be. For DME Providers: Looking out a few months, with the new 12-week trial provisions added as a result of the recent NCD (National Coverage Determination), I think ensuring patient comfort and compliance is going to be critically important.

For more information please visit www.fphcare.com 

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