March 18, 2008 - Cardinal Health said yesterday it signed an agreement with SleepNet Corp. to be the sole provider of its complete range of gel masks for sleep apnea patients throughout North and South America.
Under the terms of the three-year agreement, Cardinal Health will assume the responsibility as exclusive distributor for SleepNet's IQ, Phantom, and MiniMe Nasal Masks and the Mojo Full Face Mask in the Americas.
Sleep apnea can be a serious sleep disorder. People who have sleep apnea stop breathing for 10 to 30 seconds at a time while they are sleeping. These short stops in breathing can happen up to 400 times every night. Doctors estimate that more than 12 million Americans have sleep apnea. Men, people who are overweight, or over 40 years old are more likely to have sleep apnea, but it can affect anyone at any age.
SleepNet said nasal positive airway pressure therapy is the most common and effective treatment for sleep apnea. With this therapy, patients wear a mask, sometimes referred to as an interface, over the nose during sleep, while pressure from an air blower forces air through the nasal passages. There are various types of positive airway pressure devices available to treat sleep apnea. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and bi-level positive airway pressure systems were the original modes of sleep apnea therapy. These systems provide a level of air pressure to prevent the airway from collapsing or narrowing.
The company said by creating a soft interface between the patient and the mask shell, the discomfort of using a mask is reduced. If the mask is comfortable, the patient is more likely to continue using CPAP and comply with therapy.
The Phantom, IQ, Mojo and MiniMe masks are made of a single piece flexible shell, with a soft gel cushion that adapts to facial contours. The IQ and MiniMe also have a pliable ring inside the shell that can be shaped quickly and easily to remove air leaks. There are no tiny pieces that can be misplaced. SleepNet masks are regulated medical devices and are available only with a doctor's prescription.
For more information: www.cardinalhealth.com