DESIGN NAME: iNAP Sleep Therapy System
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Sleep Apnea Treatment
INSPIRATION: Somnics founder Dr. Chung-Chu Chen and his family were diagnosed with OSA several years ago. He underwent all possible treatment options and understood difficulties using CPAP machine. As an engineer and an OSA patient, he saw an opportunity of 26% of adults suffering OSA worldwide. He rethinks what a patient-centered treatment device should be: easier to use, more comfortable, more travel-friendly and increased everyday compliance.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The iNAP is designed to provide a comfortable sleep experience for OSA patients. During sleep, the iNAP system creates a gentle vacuum within the oral cavity by stabilizing the tongue, thereby freeing the airway. Unlike traditional CPAP machines, the iNAP system works without a face mask and instead uses a discreet soft oral interface and a pocket-sized console. The system provides an intuitive user interface with a built-in rechargeable battery and an easy-to-clean saliva container, making it a perfect travel companion.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: For treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, the CPAP machine is the standard treatment. The challenge to CPAP's success in treating sleep apnea has been compliance with treatment. For many OSA patients, CPAP is difficult to tolerate due to uncomfortable mask, forced air and inconvenience of the device. The long-term compliance rates for CPAP therapy are as low as 50%. The iNAP is designed to provide OSA patients a treatment which is more comfortable, travel-friendly and easier to use and therefore to increase everyday compliance.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The product development started in 2011 in Taiwan, and was exhibited in Medica in November 2015.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Medical Devices and Medical Equipment Design
|
PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: iNAP is designed to treat OSA using negative pressure applied in the mouth, as opposed to forced air of CPAP. Through the oral interface worn in patient’s mouth, a quiet pump in the console creates gentle suction in the oral cavity to stabilize the tongue and the soft palate in a forward position, thereby opening up the blocked airway, preventing from sleep apnea.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Dimensions: 152*80*36mm
Weight: 250g
Battery run life: Approximately 7 days
TAGS: sleep apnea, OSA, CPAP, negative pressure, sleep
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: According to a study published in 2013, it is estimated 26% of adult age 30-70 have OSA. OSA increases the risk of developing hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. Untreated OSA can have a significant impact on health. The most common health consequences of OSA are excessive daytime tiredness and falling asleep at inappropriate times. The iNAP Sleep Therapy System is designed to provide an alternative treatment option for patients who can not tolerate CPAP and to increase patient compliance.
CHALLENGE: The iNAP is a new type medical device and new treatment concept for treating sleep apnea. To prove the treatment efficacy and to educate the market are the major challenges for us.
ADDED DATE: 2016-02-26 04:49:44
TEAM MEMBERS (4) : Somnics founder and product inventor: Dr. Chung-Chu Chen, R&D: Dr. Chen-Ning Huang, Dr. Tung-Ming Yu, Designer: Yin-Ruei Chen, Chih-Jung Lee, Chin-Jen Lin and
IMAGE CREDITS: Somnics, Inc., 2015.
|