End of year revenue for ResMed Inc was significantly up, driven by S9 flow generator sales, increased sleep apnea awareness, and strong mask sales across the board.

Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, was $306.0 million, an 11% increase (a 14% increase on a constant currency basis) over the quarter ended December 31, 2009.

“The growth in flow generators was mainly driven by sales of the S9 AutoSet. Mask sales did extremely well in all regions with the recent launches of several new masks across all categories,” said Kieran T. Gallahue, president and CEO.

Gallahue also anticipated that growth in sleep apnea awareness would fuel future sales. “During the quarter, new 10-year study results published in the Journal of the American Heart Association showed that severe obstructive sleep apnea increased the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events two- to five-fold and can increase the risk of stroke,” he said. “Recommendations were made for evaluation of SDB particularly for those with obesity, hypertension, heart disease, or drug-resistant hypertension. Increasingly, there is evidence coming to light that early intervention in the treatment of SDB may slow or prevent the progression of these co-morbidities. The increase in awareness of the role that SDB plays in these costly and debilitating co-morbidities and in the reduction in workplace safety and productivity should continue to be a major driver of market expansion."