New For Sleep Disorders Testing: Minimally Invasive Device For Monitoring Gastric Reflux In The Airway

Main Category: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Also Included In: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Article Date: 01 Mar 2006 - 14:00 PDT

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Respiratory Technology Corporation (Restech) announced today the launch of its Dx-Sleep Adapter™, a new accessory for its recently released Dx-pH Measurement System™, the world's first and only device for monitoring real-time breath to breath pH.

Restech's "plug & play" adapter allows sleep medicine professionals to track their patients' airway pH events in real-time on their existing patient monitoring equipment and presents patients with a procedure that is minimally invasive and more comfortable than current technology. This system can be easily set up by a sleep physician and allows simple, reliable detection of pH changes in the airway associated with gastric reflux. Since the device transfers data using wireless telemetry, there are no extra leads from the patient.

Gastric reflux, respiratory disease and sleep disordered breathing are rapidly growing health concerns worldwide. Laryngopharyngeal reflux is associated with and known to exacerbate various respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic cough. Research findings support the relationship between reflux in the upper airway and sleep related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

OSA affects approximately 20 million Americans and significant gastroesophageal reflux occurs in at least half of this population. Reflux itself can also directly affect a patient's sleep. Many suffers are unaware of the reflux events occurring during sleep and that these events may have severe consequences because the normal throat clearing reflexes are suppressed during sleep.

On June 18, 2006 at the annual Association of Polysomnographic Technologists meeting in Salt Lake City, Dr. Deirdre Stewart, V.P. Clinical Affairs for Restech will present information on the Restech system to sleep professionals who have an interest in learning how monitoring airway reflux events can be incorporated into practice in the sleep laboratory setting. Ross Tsukashima, Director of Product Development at Restech will round out the discussion with his expertise in physiologic pH measurements. Mr. 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.

Restech is a privately held corporation specializing in the development of innovative medical devices. For more information call Debra Krahel or Wal Flicker at (800) 352-1512 or visit http://www.restech-corp.com.