Answer: The short answer is $3 per Airing device, or $0.60 after insurance reimbursement. But it's important to understand the technology behind Airing to appreciate how we plan to produce the device at such a low cost per unit.
The technology.
The invention of the micro-blowers is the technological breakthrough at the heart of the Airing micro-CPAP device. The power source is based on a similar technology Polaroid used in their film packs because it is powerful, mass manufacturable and inexpensive. The integrated electronics are analogous to those in the Kodak disposable cameras. Again, small, mass manufacturable and inexpensive. The rest of the device is low cost rubber and plastic. Each component is small, inexpensive and integrated, so the aggregate result is a very small, highly efficient, tightly integrated device.
Manufacturing.
The Airing device is designed to be mass manufacturable so as to reduce the cost and allow it to be a single use device. Both the micro-blower technology and the power source can be made using the roll to roll process, an extremely efficient system. The integrated electronics takes advantage of semiconductor processing that is well proven in low cost consumer product manufacturing. The rubber and plastic parts use high speed injection molding, again very cost effective.
By adopting the best design and manufacturing practices from successful consumer products in the areas of health and electronics, we are able to deliver a device that has an end user price of about $3.00, making it inexpensive enough for single use.
Insurance Reimbursement.
We are hopeful that the FDA will view the Airing device as a variant of the existing accepted CPAP therapy and clear its sale as such. If they do, then it is reasonable to believe that the insurance companies who provide reimbursement for this type of equipment and treatment will do so for the Airing device. If the customary reimbursement rate of 80% is available, this would reduce the cost of the Airing device to the consumer to approximately $0.60 per day.
Prove your compliance to your insurance company.
The integrated pressure sensors and electronics that control the Airing device are able to track the patient’s breathing cycle and deliver the proper treatment. The appropriate data can be stored for subsequent retrieval. This built in feature can be used for proof of compliance. That will help with reimbursements.
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