weekly trend positive

trend still positive after breakout early june. some 70m shares have been accumulated since the breakout.

cpap day of reckoning is coming , somnomed product is clearly the leading product in the non-cpap market and global sales of their type of product will grow from 150,000 units a year to some 1,000,000 units a year. expect some serious growth spurts for somnomed over the next few years.

see latest presentation
http://www.somnomed.com.au/asx-updates/SOM-Presentation-ASX-VS-June%2008.pdf



Secret Weapon To Be Used By Wallabies In World Cup

The Wallabies are using a secret weapon to win this year’s Rugby World Cup in France, with leading players fitted with an innovative device to stop snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

The device, technically called a mandibular advancement splint (similar to a hard mouthguard) was fitted to a range of Wallabies before they left on their mission to win the cup in France.

Snoring and OSA is a widespread health problem in Australia and while it is commonly associated with men and women with high blood pressure, obesity and other conditions, the disease has also been found to be quite common amongst sports stars and athletes, many of whom have large neck sizes and an increased body weight - both considered to be risk factors.

According to Jacqueline Payne, General Manager for Somnomed, “We have found many sports people, including Wallabies, are at high risk for OSA, but often don’t seek treatment because their age and physical condition are otherwise healthy. Apart from the associated health risks from sleep disorders, lack of sleep really affects their sporting performance.

“It is often bed partners or team members during camp who are the first to notice the problem and they should encourage those with the symptoms to visit their GP and have a sleep test done to accurately diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. The good news is that sleep apnea can be successfully treated, through the use of our mandibular advancement splints, and these have also been shown to reduce the risk of other threatening diseases associated with OSA”, she added.

Many Australia’s leading sporting stars, including Rugby League player Nathan Hindmarsh, have been diagnosed with OSA and fitted with mandibular advancement splints. The SomnoDent™ MAS is becoming a favourite treatment of sporting stars and consumers alike for snoring and OSA.

OSA is defined as a sleep and breathing disorder that blocks the airway and stops breathing while sleeping. By blocking the airway, snorers deprive their body of oxygen repeatedly during sleep. This can lead to serious health impacts that can include high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, impotency, diabetes and reduced mental function

The SomnoDent™ MAS, similar to a mouthguard, consists of two separate acrylic plates, which fit precisely over the upper and lower teeth. The product is manufactured from a tooth impression made by a dental professional, and ensures complete comfort and durability for the wearer. The two-hinged plates keeps the lower jaw from falling backwards when it relaxes during sleep, thereby keeping the tongue from blocking airflow and preventing snoring and OSA.

Simple and easy to use, the product claims many advantages over the conventional current anti-snoring devices in the market such as the continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP). The MAS is non-invasive, quiet and generally well accepted by patients, and users are able to open their mouth completely whilst wearing the MAS, allowing normal activities such as drinking and talking.

A dentist fits the custom-made mandibular advancement splint, however, a General Practitioner or Sleep Physician must prescribe the splint for a patient referral to the dentist for the fitting.

“OSA can often go undiagnosed as people think they are not susceptible to the condition and often blame their tiredness on other reasons. As with all sufferers of snoring and OSA, it can have significant consequences if not managed properly.

“These athletes, while capable of wonderful sporting feats and very fit, are still only human and are susceptible to illnesses such as sleep-disordered breathing. Many Australians suffer from OSA and have not been treated, which shows that it is a problem that more people should be aware of”, Ms Payne added.

Snorers may be advised to seek professional advice from their GP for a range of snoring and sleep apnea solutions.