Obstructive Sleep Apnea News and Research

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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a major heath problem. In the United States, at least 17 million people have moderate to severe OSA, which is characterized by heavy snoring, airway blockage and frequent awakenings during sleep.

Watson Laboratories files ANDA to seek FDA's approval to market Nuvigil

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company, today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., a Nevada Corporation, filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval to market its 50 mg, 100 mg, 150mg, 200 mg, and 250mg strength armodafinil tablets prior to the expiration of patents owned by Cephalon France.

7 Jan 2010

Erectile dysfunction linked to RLS in older men

A study in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that erectile dysfunction was more common in older men with restless leg syndrome (RLS) than in those without RLS, and the magnitude of this association increased with a higher frequency of RLS symptoms.

3 Jan 2010

FDA extends action date for its review of Cephalon's sNDA for NUVIGIL Tablets

Cephalon, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the action date to March 29, 2010, for its review of the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for NUVIGIL® (armodafinil) Tablets [C-IV].

22 Dec 2009

InHealth to further understand socioeconomic impact of medical devices and diagnostics

As the Institute for Health Technology Studies (InHealth) marks its five-year milestone, the research and educational nonprofit is taking stock of its contributions to objective evidence about the roles that medical technologies play in the economy, in the healthcare system, and in patients' lives.

19 Dec 2009

Ethicon and Acclarent announce definitive merger agreement

Ethicon, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company and a worldwide leader in surgical care, and Acclarent, Inc., a privately held medical technology company dedicated to designing, developing and commercializing devices that address conditions affecting the ear, nose and throat (ENT), today announced a definitive merger agreement whereby Ethicon will acquire Acclarent in an all-cash transaction for approximately $785 million net of estimated cash on hand at time of closing.

17 Dec 2009

Being obese increases the risk for developing OSA in adolescents, study shows

A study in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that being overweight or obese increases the risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adolescents but not in younger children.

15 Dec 2009

New technique to determine pediatric OSA

Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered a technique that is able to determine whether a child has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or habitual snoring by screening their urine.

7 Dec 2009

ImThera Medical implants its aura6000 neurostimulation device in two OSA patients

ImThera Medical, Inc. today announced that two patients have been surgically implanted with ImThera’s aura6000™ neurostimulation device for treating tongue-based Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Patients are being enrolled in ImThera’s pilot clinical investigation in Belgium with the first results expected to be published in the first half of 2010.

2 Dec 2009

Sleep apnea is associated with cardiovascular risk factors among kidney transplant patients

Sleep apnea is common in individuals who receive a kidney transplant and is associated with increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN).

20 Nov 2009

CMS policy changes to drive the sleep management devices market

According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, policy changes made by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will cause a surge in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnostic testing and treatment. MRG's new US Market Opportunities for Respiratory and Sleep Management Devices 2010 report finds that increasing reimbursement opportunities for OSA diagnosis and treatment will drive the OSA market to $1.5 billion by 2014.

17 Nov 2009

Surgery may not be the best option for children with obstructive sleep apnea

For children with obstructive sleep apnea, standard care often includes a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. But researchers at Saint Louis University say further research is needed to determine if surgery is the best option for these patients.

5 Nov 2009

Nasal positive airway pressure therapy for sleep apnea golfers may improve their game

Golfers who undergo treatment for sleep apnea may improve their golf game as well as their overall health, shows new research. A new study presented at CHEST 2009, the 75th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), found that golfers with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who received nasal positive airway pressure (NPAP) for their disorder improved their daytime sleepiness scores and lowered their golf handicap by as much as three strokes.

3 Nov 2009

NUVIGIL improves wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder

Cephalon, Inc. today announced that the November issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings has published data from a pivotal Phase III trial demonstrating that NUVIGIL® (armodafinil) Tablets [C-IV] significantly improved wakefulness throughout the shift in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder (SWD).

3 Nov 2009

High prevalence of nocturnal teeth grinding in patients with OSA

There is a high prevalence of nocturnal teeth grinding, or bruxism, in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), particularly in Caucasians. New research presented at CHEST 2009, the 75th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), found that nearly 1 in 4 patients with OSA suffers from nighttime teeth grinding; this seems to be especially more prevalent in men and in Caucasians compared with other ethnic groups.

3 Nov 2009

Contour Products promotes the results of a 2009 survey conducted among respiratory therapists

In conjunction with National Respiratory Care Week, Contour Products(TM), a leader in the sleep support and comfort industry, is proud to promote the results of a 2009 survey conducted among respiratory therapists who work with CPAP patients daily. One of the most common issues among CPAP therapy users is discomfort when sleeping with their CPAP mask, as a result of the mask pressing against their face.

28 Oct 2009

New lightweight, elastic cloth seal for Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients

Circadiance, the leader in soft-cloth nasal CPAP masks, announces the new Zzzephyr Seal, a revolutionary elastic cloth seal designed to fit more comfortably over the patient's nose. The lightweight seal reduces air leakage, and helps to ensure a better night's sleep for Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients.

26 Oct 2009

Continucare acquires two additional centers

Continucare Corporation (NYSE Amex:CNU) announced today that it has expanded its sleep diagnostic division with the acquisition of two additional centers. Seredor Corporation, Continucare’s newly established subsidiary, has purchased the assets of Sleep Disorder Solutions, Inc., a full service operator of sleep diagnostic centers, with sleep diagnostic centers in South Miami and Pembroke Pines, Florida.

23 Oct 2009

SNAP Diagnostics joins SAFE-BioPharma Association

SNAP Diagnostics, a Chicago-based leader in the development of technology for the detection of sleep apnea and the analysis of snoring patterns, has joined SAFE-BioPharma Association, the non-profit association that created and manages the global SAFE-BioPharma® digital identity and signature standard for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. SNAP Diagnostics is the first dedicated device and diagnostics company to join SAFE-BioPharma.

22 Oct 2009

InHealth awards Southern California, Northwestern and Stanford Universities $1.4M as research grants

The Institute for Health Technology Studies (InHealth) has awarded three new research grants totaling more than $1.4 million to investigators at the University of Southern California, Northwestern University, and Stanford University. The funding will support three separate studies that will examine the social and economic impact of therapeutic medical devices, as well as the device innovation process.

22 Oct 2009

Diet and exercise program unlikely to eliminate OSA in overweight patients

A study in the Oct. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that while a strict diet and exercise program may benefit obese patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it is unlikely to eliminate the condition.

15 Oct 2009