The availability of a disposable WatchPAT system will improve patient access by increasing the number of physicians able to offer it to patients. New system expands WatchPAT access to additional sleep centers by reducing infrastructure needs and eliminating capital requirements; also reduces infection risk for in-patient sleep apnea testing. Itamar Medical Ltd., a company that develops, manufactures, and markets non-invasive diagnostic medical devices for sleep apnea with a focus on the cardiology market, has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for WatchPAT One, the latest innovation of its WatchPAT technology and the first and only fully disposable Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT). WatchPAT One incorporates the technology and comfort advances of WatchPAT 300, which received 510(k) clearance in August 2018 and was launched in March 2019. “WatchPAT One is ideally suited for clinics and practices that recognize the value of HSAT but have limited resources, infrastructure or capital to invest in acquiring or managing our reusable WatchPAT products,” said Gilad Glick, president and CEO of Itamar Medical. “WatchPAT One offers patients and physicians the same simplicity, accuracy and reliability as WatchPAT 300 without the need for return shipping, downloading, cleaning or preparation for the next study. We expect the availability of a disposable WatchPAT system will improve patient access by increasing the number physicians able to offer our cutting-edge technology to their patients. Additionally, as a disposable HSAT, WatchPAT One may have particular utility in the inpatient setting, where transmission of infection through reusable medical devices is a significant concern.” With WatchPAT One, patients pair the WatchPAT device to their smartphone using Itamar’s proprietary app. Sleep study data are collected during the test and automatically sent to CloudPAT, Itamar’s secure server. Once the test is complete, a comprehensive report using WatchPAT’s True Sleep Time, Sleep Architecture and Central Plus algorithms is automatically generated and sent to the prescribing physician. The patient then disposes the WatchPAT device. WatchPAT One utilizes the same reimbursement codes as Itamar Medical’s other outpatient WatchPAT studies. WatchPAT One will be unveiled at SLEEP 2019, the annual meeting of the Sleep Society, which is taking place June 8-12 in San Antonio, Texas. Meeting attendees can learn more about WatchPAT One and the WatchPAT family of products and services by visiting Booth #916 at 10:00 a.m. CDT on Monday, June 10th, 2019. Source
