Philips announced that it has acquired NightBalance, a Netherlands-based digital health startup that has developed a sleep apnea wearable that is used to treat positional obstructive sleep apnea and positional snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious disorder in which breathing pauses and re-starts during sleep. Common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome are snoring and excessive tiredness during the daytime.
When most of these pauses in breathing occur when you lie on your back, it is called positional sleep apnea (POSA). In individuals with POSA, these breathing pauses can be avoided by them sleeping on their side.
Founded in 2009, NightBalance’s Sleep Position Trainer (SPT) was designed as a comfortable and easy to use treatment alternative for people who suffer from positional obstructive sleep apnea. The small lightweight device is worn in a belt around your chest, gently prompts them not to sleep on their back using gentle vibrations, avoiding the apneas from occurring during sleep. The SPT is CE-marked and is currently marketed in select countries in Europe.
For Philips, the acquisition will expand its sleep and respiratory care portfolio which includes he award-winning Dream Family comprising DreamWear, a comprehensive portfolio of advanced mask designs, DreamStation, a CPAP therapy system connecting patients and care teams, and DreamMapper, an application that helps patients adjust to sleep therapy and compliance.
“NightBalance offers a unique, patient friendly solution to treat positional obstructive sleep apnea and positional snoring that is highly complementary to our current offerings,” said John Frank, Business Leader Sleep & Respiratory Care at Philips. “This acquisition will help us further expand our leadership position in the growing home care market, and our ability to deliver integrated solutions that drive efficiencies and improved outcomes.”
Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.
