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Sleep apnea therapy device

Project Overview

Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder which currently prevents more than 20 million Americans from reaching “deep” sleep. Sleep apnea has been known to increase the risk of heart issues, high blood pressure, stroke, and other diseases. Current Sleep Apnea treatments, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices, are rejected by nearly 50% of individuals who have used them because they are loud, uncomfortable, and may cause nasal congestion and dryness. Our team firmly believes that these side effects should not be ignored and therefore proposes a device which may reduce them. This alternative device incorporates “Smart CO2” which was developed in the lab of our client, Dr. John Webster. The “Smart CO2” system has been proven to reduce the occurrence of apneas and shows great potential as a long-term alternative to CPAP. “Smart CO2” elevates the amount of CO2 in the lungs by increasing dead space, effectively inducing mild hypercapnia which has been proven to improve ventilatory stimulation and the symptoms Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) may cause.

Team Picture

Team members from left to right: Jen Rich, Taylor Karns, Calvin Hedberg, Ben Mihelich
Team members from left to right: Jen Rich, Taylor Karns, Calvin Hedberg, Ben Mihelich

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Contact Information

Team Members

  • Calvin Hedberg - Team Leader
  • Taylor Karns - Communicator & BPAG
  • Benjamin Mihelich - BSAC
  • Jennifer Rich - BWIG

Advisor and Client

  • Prof. Megan McClean - Advisor
  • Prof. John Webster - Client

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