The problem with CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines is not the therapy. Facts are, positive airway pressure therapy reduces the frequency of respiratory events during sleep, decreases daytime sleepiness, improves systemic blood pressure, and improves quality of life across a range of measures.
No, the problem with CPAP machines is not the therapy, but the machines themselves.
Traditional CPAP machines make it very difficult for patients to comply.
Truth be told, CPAP machines have a difficult engineering task. First, of course, they need to provide the continuous positive airway pressure. To do so, they must pump air into the patient's nose continuously throughout the night, which usually means a plugged-in pump on a night stand and a hose from the pump to the patient's mask.
The masks must also stay on the patient's face without slipping and breaking the air seal, which usually means uncomfortable straps. Lastly, they must somehow be comfortable enough to sleep in, otherwise they contribute to the patient's sleep problem, not fix it.
The engineering results are usually something like this:
Traditional CPAP mask - cords, hoses, straps, masks.
CPAP masks score high marks on the therapy, but dismally low marks on compliance. It is estimated that 20-40% of patients do not use their positive airway pressure device at all and many others do not use it all night, every night.
Soon, with your help there may be a better way.
Introducing, Airing, the world's first cordless, hoseless, maskless, micro-CPAP device.
We know it sounds unbelievable - just look at some of the incredulous questions posted on our Facebook Page - but inventor, Stephen Marsh, has engineered a radically new approach to delivering the sleep apnea therapy that (for real) eliminates hoses, cords, and masks.
Airing has no cords, no hoses, and no masks.
It's called Airing and is the result of Marsh’s extensive research in the area of micro-fluidic pumps in the Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) space which identified a host of inefficiencies and limitations with the current pumps, and led to Marsh’s breakthrough design of a better micro-fluidic pump, a design that works just as well moving air.
“As someone with a family member who suffers from sleep apnea (my brother), I understand the potential serious health impacts of this condition.
As a result of recent research, I realized that current pumps possess several deficiencies which severely limit their effectiveness and saw an opportunity to apply a new design to these pumps that could be used in a variety of ways, including treating breathing disorders. The result is a solution that we believe has the potential to address this area and to help a large number of people live better, healthier lives.”
Doctors applaud Airing because their patients are more likely to actually use it.
What's the point of a medical therapy that patients tend not to use? With Airing, hoses can't get caught in the sheets, uncomfortable straps are eliminated, and power cords are unnecessary as Airing devices will be battery powered. Patients won't even have to clean the device, as Airing will be inexpensive enough to be disposable.
Dr. Jeffrey Bass
“I think it’s going to be wonderful for people. For the first time we have a treatment that patients will be willing to use. I think Airing will have a tremendous impact.”