As announced in July 2010, a system developed by a Portuguese small-medium-sized enterprise (SME) can remotely screen or monitor patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), thus reducing unnecessary hospital admissions.

The system can be installed at patient's home to record key information during their sleep, and send it in real time to a healthcare unit. This portable system consists of an infrared camera, an oximeter - to measure blood oxygen saturation - and a box - using 3rd generation (3G) technology - to receive the data and send it to the healthcare staff.

In the healthcare unit, staff can monitor the patient's condition using a computer or mobile device, such as a personal data assistant (PDA) or mobile phone. The system generates a detailed log with alarms and allows the doctor or nurse to compare data coming from the oximeter and the camera.

The usual diagnosis of OSAS currently involves an exam called a polissomnography. This is a very complex and expensive process in which the patient is monitored for a full night by a health professional and it is only available in a few paediatric hospitals. The new system provides a relatively inexpensive way to screen patients and decide whether a polissomnography is necessary. As a result, it reduces the number of polissomnographies required and their associated costs.

Background Information:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is an airways dysfunction affecting both children and adults. Sleep apnea means 'cessation of breath'. It is characterised by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction that occur during sleep, usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. OSAS is a common, but underdiagnosed, condition in children that may cause severe damage if left untreated.

Further information:

• Original News Article - Technology-Market.eu