The S9 is the ninth generation of device designed by ResMed to treat obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) technology. It delivers pressurised air into the upper airway during sleep to prevent the airway from collapsing. The S9 introduces new 'consumer' styling to this type of medical device, as well as reducing blower size, noise reduction, and improving usability and comfort. The new ClimateLine tubing warms the air as it flows to the patient, reducing condensation and allowing precise climate control for the user. The S9 has resulted in improved user experience and compliance to therapy.

The S9 series represents continuing innovation by ResMed, an Australian-based company leading the world in OSA treatment technology. The S9 Series received a Red Dot Award for product design in 2010, and a Design Award - Best in Category at the 2011 Australian International Design Awards.

Angelique Hutchison
Curator
August 2011

The equipment was designed by ResMed Ltd and Blue Sky Design Group, Sydney, Australia, 2010-2011. It was made by ResMed Ltd at Bella Vista, New South Wales, Australia, 2011.

The S9 flow generator uses Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) technology to treat obstructive sleep apnoea. It delivers pressurised air into the upper airway during sleep to prevent the airway from collapsing. The flow generator can be used alone or with the addition of the H5i humidifier.

The S9 device and H5i humidifier system has new 'consumer product' styling compared to the 'medical device' look of earlier models. The system also has improvements in blower size, noise reduction, and usability. The most significant innovation is the introduction of automatic climate control and the ClimateLine heated tubing. Patients select their preferred mask temperature and the ClimateLine tube's integrated temperature sensor prevents 'rain-out' (condensation) and ensures constant temperature and humidity levels at the mask.

The easy to use interface also assists clinicians with monitoring patient compliance. The S9 enables data to be displayed on the device. There are additional data modules - Oximeter/USB/Wireless/Modem - and an SD card stores detailed data (30 days), high-resolution data (7 days) and compliance data (365 days). These data solutions allow patients to feel in control of their therapy with simplified user feedback, and they allow clinicians to detect and resolve problems early via remote monitoring of a patient's sleep quality and compliance.


References

ResMed S9, 2011 Australian International Design Awards entry page
http://www.designawards.com.au/application_detail.jsp?status=12&applicationID=10266

ResMed S9 series, ResMed
http://www.resmed.com/us/products/s9_series/s9-series.html?nc=dealers

This S9 flow generator, H5i humidifier and ClimateLine tube were displayed in 2011 Australian International Design Awards exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum from July 2011- July 2012.

The S9 Series received a Design Award - Best in Category (Medical and Scientific) and Powerhouse Museum Selection at the 2011 Australian International Design Awards in Melbourne on 22 July 2011. The S9 also received a Red Dot Award for product design in 2010.

The S9 was launched at an event at the Powerhouse Museum in February 2010.


The history of ResMed began with Professor Colin Sullivan at the sleep clinic of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. In 1979, he studied some patients who were heavy snorers. He noticed that they had apnoea and he guessed that other snorers could also have this condition. As his father was an inventor, he had grown up with the attitude that problems can be solved. He had the idea of supplying pressurised air via the nose (nasal continuous positive airway pressure, or nasal CPAP) to keep his patients' airways open during sleep.

To test the idea, he glued tubes into a patient's nostrils and connected them to a vacuum cleaner (no that's not a joke!) set up to blow air into the tubes. This worked for some patients, although others could not get to sleep while hooked up to the experimental machine.

So Dr Sullivan had developed and tested a treatment for sleep apnoea and he had realised that the condition might be fairly common. He had seen an opportunity to improve many people's quality of life and to create an industry.

His next step was to develop a device to supply the positive air pressure via a mask, rather than through uncomfortable tubes. He patented his first nasal CPAP device in 1981, but further development and design work would be needed to make it suitable for mass production and everyday use. Sullivan approached Dr Peter Farrell, who was then working for a multinational healthcare company, for financial support. Farrell backed the idea and later became the leader of ResMed, the company that grew from their partnership.

The Sullivan Nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) was the first machine to give complete relief from sleep apnoea. The machine was improved to make the flow rate and pressure adjustable to meet individual needs. The sleeping mask was also constantly redesigned to make it much more comfortable. Now sleep apnoea sufferers can sleep soundly and enjoy better quality of life.

The ResCare company, later known as ResMed, was formed in 1989 to manufacture and market the CPAP. By the end of the twentieth century, ResMed operated through offices in the United States, Australia, Germany, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia, and through a network of distributors in more than 40 other countries. Its main manufacturing base was in Sydney and the company spent 7-8% of its net revenues on research and product development. The company was listed on both the Australian and New York Stock Exchanges and had a total of 186 patents issued and pending for a range of technologies. In 2000 ResMed made the Forbes 200 Best Small Companies in America list for the fourth year in a row. ResMed was named Australian Exporter of the Year in 2006.

Medical equipment for treating sleep apnoea (or apnea). The components consist of a silver Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) flow generator, electrical cable, a black carry bag holding brochures / paperwork, and the transformer. The flow generator can be used alone or with the addition of the H5i humidifier.

Made: 2011

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2011