Airflow sensors are used during sleep studies to measure and monitor the flow of breathing to help clinicians detect sleep-disordered breathing. They use various technologies, such as pressure transducers and polyvinylidene fluoride, to detect inhalation and exhalation. Airflow sensors are available in disposable and reusable options. Sleep Review‘s airflow sensor guide is a comparison of the major medical sensors available on the sleep market.
The airflow sensors compared are:
BRAEBON Medical Corp cTherm
Cadwell Industries Inc Cadwell Sleepmate Airflow Pressure Sensors
Cadwell Industries Inc Cadwell Sleepmate CannuTherm
Dymedix Diagnostics Lullaby Pediatric Airflow Sensors
Dymedix Diagnostics TriplePlay Airflow Sensors
SleepSense ThermoCan System
| Company | BRAEBON Medical Corp | Cadwell Industries Inc | Cadwell Industries Inc | Dymedix Diagnostics | Dymedix Diagnostics | SleepSense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor: | cTherm | Cadwell Sleepmate Airflow Pressure Sensors | Cadwell Sleepmate CannuTherm | Lullaby Pediatric Airflow Sensors | TriplePlay Airflow Sensors | ThermoCan System |
| Website: | braebon.com | estore.cadwell.com/PublicStore/product/Airflow-Pressure-Sensors,379.aspx | estore.cadwell.com/PublicStore/product/Airflow-CannuTherm-Kits-Cannulas,378,237.aspx | dymedix.com/lullaby-pediatrics | dymedix.com/ tripleplay-airflow-sensors | sleepsense.com |
| Description: | The patented BRAEBON cTherm monitors both oronasal thermal airflow and oronasal pressure simultaneously. Available in both reusable (0514) and disposable (0518) versions. BRAEBON thermistors are compatible with any oronasal or nasal cannula and with most HST or PSG systems. | Cadwell Sleepmate Airflow Pressure Sensors are compact and made from materials that make them easy to adjust to the patient. These sensors meet the AASM recommendations for pressure airflow recording. | Cadwell Sleepmate CannuTherm sensors comply with AASM criteria to enable the detection of both apneas and hypopneas by integrating the nasal/oral thermal sensor into the pressure cannula. The lightweight design supports patient comfort by nesting the thermal sensor into the cannula, making it the only point of patient-contact. | Dymedix pediatric airflow sensors provide enhanced sensitivity through PVDF technology. They are designed for use with Dymedix iFM, a specialized airflow interface cable that boosts and filters airflow waveforms allowing for more accurate and detailed sensing of airflow activity from neonate and infant patients. | Dymedix TriplePlay Airflow Sensors detect three types of sleep-disordered breathing events with only one sensor: apnea, hypopnea, and snore. The TriplePlay PVDF technology responds to changes in both pressure and temperature resulting in accurate detection of apnea, hypopnea, UARS, and snore, all with one sensor. | The SleepSense ThermoCan monitors oral/nasal thermal airflow and nasal pressure simultaneously. Disposable ThermoCan Cannulas are designed with a built-in thermal airflow sensor. ThermoCan Interface Cables have 2 gold pins that insert into the sides of ThermoCan Cannulas at the nares, transmitting the thermal airflow signal to the system and replacing the need for thermistor. |
| Usage: | Reusable and Disposable | Reusable | Reusable (thermal sensor), Disposable (cannula) | Reusable and Disposable | Reusable and Disposable | Disposable cannula, Reusable cable |
| Patient Age Range: | pediatric, adult | infant, pediatric, adult | infant, pediatric, adult | infant, pediatric | infant, pediatric, adult | infant, pediatric, adult |
| Technology: | Pressure cannula and thermal airflow sensors | Pressure transducer | Thermistor or thermocouple | Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) | PVDF | Pressure cannula and thermal airflow sensors |
| Made of: | Various biocompatible materials | Plastic casing with Luer-lock connector | PVDF | PVDF | [Not provided] | |
| Size Options: | Pediatric, adult | One size fits all | Infant, pediatric, adult | Neonate, infant, pediatric | S, M, L – neonate, infant, pediatric | Child small, child, adult |
| Application: | Designed and applied identically to routine pressure and temperature airflow recordings | Standard cannula placement | Connects into specially designed cannula | Standard application | Optional adhesive backing | Designed similar to a regular pressure monitoring cannula and are applied to the patient in the same way |
| Warranty (months): | 12 (reusable cable) | 9 | 9 | N/A (disposable sensor); 12 (reusable cable) | 12 (reusable version) | 12 (reusable cable) |
| Sample Requests: | N/A | supplies[at]cadwell.com | supplies[at]cadwell.com | www.dymedix.com/support | www.dymedix.com/support | sales[at]sleepsense.com |
Information for this guide is based on data submitted by sensor marketers. Sleep Review strives for accuracy in all data but cannot be held responsible for claims made by marketers. All airflow sensor marketers get one listing at no charge. Advertisers are offered multiple listings. All sensors may not be included. Email editor[at]sleepreviewmag.com to be considered for the next update.
