Sleep - American Association of Sleep Technologists

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NewZzz Briefs Publication of the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists • Summer 2006 • www.aptweb.org VIASYS Healthcare Inc. Acquires Tiara Medical Systems, Inc. Acquisition Expands VIASYS’ Presence in Sleep Therapy CONSHOHOCKEN, PA — VIASYS Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:VAS) (“VIASYS”) and Tiara Medical Systems, Inc. (“Tiara Medical”) announced today that VIASYS has acquired Tiara Medical — a company focused in the sleep therapeutic market. Randy Thurman, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, VIASYS Healthcare Inc., commented, “The acquisition of Tiara Medical reflects our commitment to expand our presence in the sleep therapy market. VIASYS is a leading global competitor in pulmonary, neurological and sleep diagnostics, as well as within the critical care segment. We believe that this acquisition positions us to compete effectively in this rapidly growing market segment by building on our existing product offering. In addition, we believe that our access to the decision makers in the sleep therapy market, our existing presence in this market, and our international sales and distribution capability will allow us to increase sales of the Tiara products.” Based in Oak Forest, Illinois, Tiara Medical designs, manufactures, markets, and sells Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) masks, headgear, circuits, and filters. These products are complemented by a comprehensive product line of specialty filters and accessories for oxygen concentrators and mechanical ventilators. Tiara Medical offers home health care providers the convenience of a comprehensive range of products to meet the needs of patients receiving treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and other chronic respiratory diseases. Tiara Medical recently introduced The Advantage Series Full Face Mask and the Snapp-X Direct Nasal Interface. Ed Pulwer, Group President, VIASYS Respiratory Care, commented on the acquisition, “With the acquisition of Tiara Medical, VIASYS is increasing its presence in the global sleep therapy market. According to Frost and Sullivan, sleep therapy is the fastest growing market segment in the global respiratory market. VIASYS is already a market leader in the sleep diagnostics business, with well-established brands such as Jaeger and SENSORMEDICS ® . We believe that Tiara Medical’s expertise in CPAP and non-invasive ventilation mask design will enhance the VIASYS global product offering. We believe this acquisition is a key step following the establishment earlier this year of the VIASYS Sleep Division as a separate operating entity focused on this opportunity. Rebecca Mabry, General Manager, Sleep Diagnostics and Therapy, will be responsible for integrating this acquisition into VIASYS.” James Fitzsimmons, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tiara Medical, commented, “The combined product offering of VIASYS Healthcare and Tiara Medical will offer sleep diagnostics laboratories and home healthcare providers a variety of choices in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. We also expect that VIASYS’ global distribution and product support infrastructure will greatly enhance Tiara Medical’s ability to penetrate domestic and international markets for sleep diagnostic and therapeutic devices.” Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, VIASYS acquired all of the outstanding stock of Tiara Medical through one of its subsidiaries 28 for consideration of approximately $24.3 million. VIASYS financed the acquisition with cash and borrowings under its revolving credit facility. Tiara’s 2005 revenues were $10.3 million, and the company has grown approximately 15% compounded over the last three years. New Braebon Cannulas BRAEBON introduces its expanded line of top quality cannulas including: Nasal, Nasal + Oral, and ETCO 2 cannulas. These premium cannulas have been designed with unique features for today’s business of sleep. Available in multiple sizes and configurations, they also feature unbeatable pricing. If you are not buying BRAEBON cannulas you’re paying too much! Visit us at www.braebon.com or call 1-888-462-4841 for additional information. New Braebon Appliances BRAEBON proudly introduces the TheraSnore Boil & Bite Intra-Oral Appliance cleared by the US FDA for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. This mandibular advancement device comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large, and is entirely customizable in under 25 minutes. Offering both lateral movement and forward and backward adjustability, the TheraSnore offers immediate benefit the first time it is worn and is effective in up to 93% of users. The TheraSnore will last from 12 to 24 monhts, but is also ideal for initial use while a more expensive custom appliance is being manufactured or for interim use during custom appliance repair. Available now for sale to physicians, dentists and sleep laboratories for $89. For more information contact Braebon Medical at 1-888-462-4841. New Pressure Sensor by SLP SLP, based in St. Charles, Illinois, just released a new pressure sensor in its SleepSense high-quality range of sleep lab sensors. The Esophageal Catheter Pressure Sensor (item #14837) was designed to monitor a wide range of air pressures in medical applications which are not life supporting, such as esophageal catheter or balloon and CPAP or Bilevel PAP. The output from the sensor allows the recording of pressure values onto a polygraph, EEG or similar types of physiological recorders. The sensor is powered by a medical grade, wall-mounted power supply or by a battery pack good for hundreds of hours of operation. It’s very small size and the absence of switches, lights or adjustments ensure ease-of-use and reliable performance for years. ➟
NewZzz Briefs Publication of the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists • Summer 2006 • www.aptweb.org Highlights of the device include: Accurate, reliable, price includes medical power supply. Very simple to operate — no switches, lights, need to replace batteries. Very small and unobtrusive — as small as an AC pressure sensor. Variety of output configurations to match the system. For more details, please visit: www.sleepsense.com. New Wireless Device for Detecting Reflux Displayed at Annual Meeting SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Deirdre Stewart, Ph.D., presented information to a crowded audience on a new patient-friendly device for detecting gastric reflux in the airway and its application in sleep medicine at the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists meeting, which ran concurrently with the SLEEP 2006 Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) event, June 17-22, 2006. Dr. Stewart is Vice President of Clinical Affairs at Restech, the designer and manufacturer of the Dx-pH Measurement System , which detects aerosolized upperairway reflux, known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). “The miniature 1.5mm diameter catheter,” Stewart explains, Restech’s Dx-pH Measurement System “is placed trans-nasally and is positioned behind the soft palate.” This positioning is revolutionary in that patients are now exempt from larger catheters stretching uncomfortably to their lower esophagus. The Restech “plug & play” Dx-Sleep Adapter accessory, released February 2006, allows sleep medicine professionals to track patients’ airway pH events in real-time on their existing monitoring equipment. The system can be easily set up in a sleep clinic or physician’s office. Since the device transfers data using wireless telemetry, there are no extra leads from the patient. Ross Tsukashima, Director of Product Development at Restech, rounded out the discussion with his expertise in physiologic pH measurement. Tsukashima has authored nine patents and was awarded a 2002 Silver Medal in Business Week’s “Industrial Design Excellence Awards” for the Medtronic Bravo pH monitoring system. His final comment defined the Restech advantage, “This pH monitoring system will break down existing barriers in performing pH monitoring that allows greater acceptance by physicians and their patients.” Coupled with Dr. Gregory Wiener’s presentation last month at the international Digestive Disease Week (DDW) meeting, Restech is rounding the bases on the medical conference circuit, receiving promising reviews from physicians. Donald Castell, M.D., another pioneer in pharyngeal pH testing, praised the makers of the Dx-pH Measurement System saying, “I would like to thank Restech very much for bringing this technology to our attention.” Restech is a privately held corporation specializing in the development of innovative medical devices. For more information on the Dx-pH Measurement System, call Debra Krahel or Wal Flicker at (800) 352- 1512 or visit http://www.restech-corp.com. Tactilus: A Dream Come True for Sleep Disorder Research Tactile Surface Pressure Monitoring Sensor Pad Is a Revolution in Actigraphy Monitoring Madison, NJ — Sensor Products LLC introduces Tactilus ® , a breakthrough in actigraphy monitoring. Tactilus ® body mapping sensor technology captures, maps and records body movement, across a mattress surface, while a patient sleeps. Actigraphy monitoring equipment currently used by sleep clinics worldwide, which must be physically attached to a patient, can be bulky and uncomfortable, and can alter or impede the results of a sleep study. The Tactilus ® sensor element is a thin, flexible mat that discreetly lies beneath a bed sheet, which virtually eliminates the need to affix adhesive-backed sensors and obtrusive wires to a patient’s skin. Distributed throughout the Tactilus ® sensor mat are small pressure sensing points that create a matrix large enough to map a patient’s entire body. As a patient sleeps, Tactilus ® silently collects body movement data and instantly translates it into a movie that documents each tiny twitch or movement for the duration of a night’s sleep. This innovative technology is a revolutionary approach to diagnosing age-old sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome, REM sleep behavior disorder and other parasomnias. The Tactilus ® system is available in both a twin or queen size sensor pad, and includes an electronic hub and userfriendly, Windows-based software. Tactilus ® collects data at up to one frame per second over a 12-hour period and allows researchers to replay the entire file or a series of specified frames to closely observe events. This system enables detection and recording of even the most minute body movements that can be hidden from video cameras by blankets. The Tactilus sensor also has the ability to capture and record thermal data. Another benefit of Tactilus software is that it is modularly designed and can seamlessly be integrated into existing data collection and evaluation software packages. Tactilus ® systems are available for either lease or purchase. Demonstrations of this powerful system can be scheduled by contacting Sensor Products at 1.973.884.1755, info@sensorprod.com or by visiting www.sensorprod.com/tactilus. About Sensor Products LLC New Jersey-based Sensor Products LLC, established in 1990, is a world leader in the manufacture and distribution of tactile pressure sensing solutions. Their customized and off-theshelf products are installed within all of the Fortune 500 industrial companies as well as thousands of smaller manufacturing firms. Their sensors are used in applications as diverse as tire testing to semiconductor manufacturing and from R&D labs to space missions. Sensor Products also provides in-house and on-site stress and pressure mapping analysis, as well as a variety of regional technical seminars. Visit them at www.sensorprod.com. 29
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