- Omron Sleep Design HSL-101 offers wireless sleep monitoring

ResMed Inc (NYSE:RMD) has announced the launch of the first product in Japan using technology developed by its BiancaMed Division headquartered at University College Dublin.

The product, launched by BiancaMed partner Omron Healthcare, is a new wireless sleep monitoring device. The Omron Sleep Design HSL-101 uses BiancaMed technology to offer wireless, non-contact sleep monitoring which in turn connects to health care support services in Japan. The device is part of a new strategy by Omron, named “All for Healthcare.”

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.

  
The Omron Sleep Design HSL-101

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.

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.”

He added, “We believe that by monitoring sleep and encouraging sleep health, the Sleep Design HSL-101 and support services provide a convenient tool for early prevention and intervention.”

“We look forward to continued collaboration with Omron, as well as working with new global health care partners on innovations that advance sleep medicine, and improve health and quality of lives,” concluded Dr Hanley.

ResMed, headquartered in San Diego, California, 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.

ResMed acquired BiancaMed, a University College Dublin spin-out company, in 2011. BiancaMed was originally established by Dr Philip de Chazal, Dr Conor Hanley and Professor Conor Heneghan to commercialise research undertaken in UCD’s School of Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering.

ResMed is continuing to forge collaborative links with UCD. The ResMed BiancaMed Division currently employs a staff of 35 in its offices at NovaUCD.

ENDS

25 May 2012

For further information contact Micéal Whelan, University College Dublin, Communications Manager (Innovation), e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie, t: + 353 1 716 3712 or Dr Conor Hanley, Managing Director, ResMed BiancaMed Division, t: +353 1 716 3755, e: conor.hanley@biancamed.com or Colin Lawlor, ResMed BiancaMed Division, t: +353 86 244 3924, e: colin.lawlor@biancamed.com

Editor’s Notes

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. www.omronhealthcare.com

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. www.resmed.com

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. www.ucd.ie/nova