Sleep apnoea sufferers are one step closer to a good night’s rest thanks to the combined efforts of industry, the Liberal National Government and CSIRO.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said Queensland medical device company Oventus had worked with CSIRO to produce a breakthrough sleeping aid to deal with the problem. 

“This is a world first product that will not only benefit Australians but also the growing number of sleep apnoea sufferers globally,” Minister Andrews said.

“There are more than one million Australians suffering from this disease, where people stop breathing often hundreds of times a night.”

The Oventus technology uses a 3D scanner to map a patient’s mouth and a 3D metal titanium printer to produce the mouthpiece, which is coated with a medical grade plastic.

“Working with CSIRO researchers, the original device has been improved by adding a pressure valve which uses the patient’s own breathing to prevent airway collapse,” Minister Andrews said.

The development of the device follows a $2.9 million grant from the Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Program to Oventus to advance research into the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

Minister Andrews said this was a shining example of how the CRC-P program was contributing to the development of new technologies and products that have real world benefits.

“Through CRC-Ps Australia’s pool of talented researchers are able to join forces with industry to develop innovative products, that can make a difference in our everyday lives,” Minister Andrews said.

Minister Andrews' office: 02 6277 7070