Impact on the Healthcare System

Like diabetes, an effect treatment for OSA could have a significant ripple effect across the healthcare system. Orthopedic device companies should consider the opportunity to find treatments that address this complex disease state during orthopedic surgery. This is not a far-fetched concept if we think out of the box and consider other successful examples to treat device-related complications. A good analogy is the development of anti-microbial coated catheters to reduce infection rates in catheter based interventional procedures. While the jury is still out on current efficacy rates of these treated catheters, technology will improve and prevail, and ultimately catheter based infection rates will decrease. OSA is a significant opportunity for innovators in our industry because orthopedic patients with OSA are an at-risk and underserved market.

References

1. www.sleepapnea.org/learn/sleep-apnea.html
2. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sleepapnea.html
3. www.resmed.com/us/clinicians/about_sleep_and_breathing/comorbidities/associated-risks.html?nc=clinicians
4. Liu S., et. al. Postoperative hypoxemia in orthopedic patients with obstructive sleep apnea HSSJ (2011) 7:2-8
5. Ibid
6. Liu S., et. al. Postoperative hypoxemia in orthopedic patients with obstructive sleep apnea HSSJ (2011) 7:2-8
7. Gross JB, et. al. Practice guidelines for the perioperative management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A report by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Perioperative Management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Anesthesiology. 2006; 104:1081-1093
8. Liu S., et. al. Postoperative hypoxemia in orthopedic patients with obstructive sleep apnea HSSJ (2011) 7:2-8
9. Liu S., et. al. Postoperative hypoxemia in orthopedic patients with obstructive sleep apnea HSSJ (2011) 7:2-8
10. Ibid