Murrysville, Pa.
The “problem sleeper” patient may be a dozing giant
for HME.
That's something Respironics is banking on as the sleep products
manufacturer expands its development efforts beyond the traditional
obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) market. The company made the
announcement during a press briefing at Medtrade in Orlando,
Fla.
Respironics recently formed its Sleep Wellness Ventures business
unit to focus on products for disorders outside OSA.
“We think there's a tremendous and growing
opportunity,” said President and CEO John Miclot.
“We surveyed a group of [healthy] individuals, and over
half of them said they suffered from sleep problems that affected
their quality of life. So we believe half the population is a
potential market opportunity.”
The business unit is currently studying product possibilities
for patients suffering from sleep rhythms and phase-shift
disorders, along with sleep onset and sleep maintenance problems,
Miclot said, adding that the unit is also studying medical needs
within the mild-to-moderate OSA population.
