ResMed (NYSE: RMD) announced today that it launched its AirCurve 11 series bilevel positive airway pressure devices in the U.S.
San Diego-based ResMed describes the AirCurve 11 series as its newest range of bilevel devices that use two levels of support. They use inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) and expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP). Combined with digital technology, AirCurve 11 was designed to help providers treat sleep apnea while patients start and stay on therapy.
ResMed built AirCurve 11 devices on its market-leading AirSense 11 platform with the aim of addressing the challenges some patients have adapting to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. ResMed is a market leader in the CPAP and sleep respiratory space, especially with Philips out of the market following its massive CPAP recall.
The company designed AirCurve 11 VAuto to improve comfort and help compliance. It provides a higher pressure during inhalation and a lower pressure during exhalation. The company says this allows the device to align more closely with the patient’s natural breathing pattern.
Meanwhile, the AirCurve 11 ASV, the company’s new adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) device, aims to make therapy feel like the patient’s own breath. It features an algorithm that tracks 13 points on every breath cycle 50 times per second. The system uses each patient’s unique minute ventilation target and respiratory rate to stabilize ventilation. Continuous monitoring informs the algorithm of triggers and cycles, as well as the length of inspiration.
“Our approach to product development is predicated on always doing what is in the best interest of patients,” said ResMed chief product officer Justin Leong. “This culture of customer-centricity fuels our passion for delivering products like the AirCurve 11 that empower people with the ability to better care for their sleep apnea from the comfort of their own homes.”
Other new features for the ResMed AirCurve 11 platform
ResMed added features to its new respiratory system, including integrated cellular communication that enables secure and automated data transmission to the cloud for access in AirView and myAir, the company’s data tracking applications.
Users can automatically control AirCurve 11’s integrated heated humidifier through the climate control feature as well. They can also manually set this feature.
Over-the-Air updates deliver software and new digital features directly to the device, ResMed says. The MyAir patient engagement app offers a daily sleep score, ow with support for these bilevel patients. AirView enables an informed pathway to care with remote monitoring and management capabilities.
ResMed’s Personal Therapy Assistant, offered through myAir, provides interactive, voice-guided instructions and videos to help with setup. The company’s Care Check-In feature periodically prompts patients with questions specific to bilevel therapy goals.
“Patient care is our top priority, and that includes their comfort and compliance with PAP therapy,” said ResMed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Carlos M. Nunez. “We’ve seen patient compliance improve from 70% to 87%2 through the use of coaching features and the ability to track and view their nightly sleep data via myAir and AirView, so we’ve incorporated these digital health applications into the new AirCurve 11 series to enable maximum comfort and support throughout the therapy experience.”