Posted 29 May 2012
New wireless sleep-monitoring device launched in Japan uses technology originally developed at UCDA new wireless sleep monitoring device which uses technology developed at NovaUCD based BiancaMed, a division of the California company ResMed Inc (NYSE:RMD), has been launched by its partner Omron Healthcare in Japan.
The Omron Sleep Design HSL-101 offers wireless, non-contact sleep monitoring which connects to health care support services in Japan.
To use the Omron Sleep Design HSL-101, a patient places the device beside the bed. With the non-contact sensing technology, the device measures sleep throughout the night and can report key sleep quality metrics, such as sleep onset time and total sleep time.
In the morning, users can generate a full report on the night’s sleep with the push of a button. When the data is connected to the cloud as part of Omron’s Wellness Link service, a full picture of sleep health is provided, alongside a customised summary of health tips and advice.
The need for convenient, cost-effective screening and monitoring solutions continues to grow as economic pressures are causing governments and insurance providers worldwide to focus on cost savings and therapeutic efficacy in both the diagnosis and treatment of health disorders.
Heart disease, diabetes, stroke, CPOD and cancer are major causes of death throughout the world. Apart from genetic susceptibility, these diseases are mostly attributed to lifestyle factors, including overeating, excessive alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, lack of physical activity, stress and insufficient sleep.
BiancaMed was originally established by Dr Philip de Chazal, Dr Conor Hanley and Professor Conor Heneghan to commercialise research undertaken in the UCD School of Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering. In 2011, the company was acquired by ResMed.
Headquartered in San Diego, California, ResMed is a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of systems to diagnose, treat and manage sleep-disordered breathing, a serious health condition in which people experience breathing issues during sleep ranging from simple snoring to periods of completely obstructed breathing, known as sleep apnoea.
According to Dr Conor Hanley, Managing Director, ResMed BiancaMed Division:
“Insufficient sleep in itself may be an indicator of another underlying problem, sleep-disordered breathing, which is known to cause and negatively impact heart disease, diabetes, stroke, COPD and more recently, cancer. In seeking to realise a society where people can enjoy healthy and comfortable lives, the prevention of lifestyle diseases is one of Omron’s and our primary objectives.”
ResMed is continuing to forge collaborative links with University College Dublin.
The ResMed BiancaMed Division currently employs 35 staff in its offices at NovaUCD, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at University College Dublin.
Omron Healthcare is a global leader in home health care monitoring, including monitoring for blood pressure which, when high, is a significant co-morbidity for sleep-disordered breathing. The company offers a wide range of home devices and services that help prevent and manage lifestyle diseases in more than 100 countries. Their research and development staff of over 90 dedicated engineers and support staff are located at the corporate headquarters in Kyoto, Japan.
ResMed is a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of medical equipment for treating, diagnosing and managing sleep-disordered breathing and other respiratory disorders. We are dedicated to developing innovative products to improve the lives of those who suffer from these conditions and to increasing awareness among patients and healthcare professionals of the potentially serious health consequences of untreated sleep-disordered breathing.
NovaUCD, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre, is the hub of innovation and knowledge transfer activities at University College Dublin. NovaUCD as a purpose-built centre also nurtures high-tech and knowledge-intensive enterprises. NovaUCD has been funded through a unique public-private partnership that includes AIB Bank, Arthur Cox, Deloitte, Enterprise Ireland, Ericsson, Goodbody Stockbrokers, UCD and Xilinx.
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
