BuzzPOD product for OSA?

[floboots]

Has anyone heard of a device called the BuzzPOD? It's apparently designed for people with positional sleep apnea, and is essentially a device on a band that goes around the chest. If the user lies on their back, the device vibrates until the wearer rolls onto their side (the inventor states on his website that it reduces the time spent on the back from 30-40% of the night to 1%). This might not be all that helpful for people with anything other than mild OSA, but one interesting feature of the device is that it records your position throughout the night, and you can upload the data to your computer. Would it be beneficial to be able to track your position against apnea events?



It doesn't seem to be on the market yet, but I've emailed the inventor at the following site:

http://buzzpod.com.au/index.html

For a video, see:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s2885694.htm

Curious to hear others' thoughts on this.

[floboots]

An update to my earlier message:

The inventor of the BuzzPOD, Michael Gorman, replied to my email query about the availability of his product, saying it was going to be released in about 10 days. It can either be purchased outright or rented (the prices he quoted seemed to be in Australian dollars--I'm not sure what the exchange rate is).

Anyway, it seems like his device would be much more convenient (albeit pricier) than sewing tennis balls into the back of one's shirt or strapping on a backpack.

I'd still like to hear what others think about his invention.

[kteague]

Oh, it's a gadget, and some people like their gadgets. Seems like overkill, but if one finds it more comfortable than the other means to avoid backsleeping, and can afford it, go for it.

[Goofproof]

If it wakes you up to roll over, it's defeating it's usefulness, like been said gadget. People will throw money at things, someone will always be their to catch the money. Jim

[Michael Gorman]

Hi there, I am the designer and just happened on this website . I did communicate with a guy from CPAPtalk recently. Validated product (n=17, borderline PPs, AHI mean 9 down to mean 3) Adelaide Insitute of Sleep Health, Australia.
Re 1 posting, it will rouse to lighter sleep then turnover is effected, but compared to waking even 10 times per hour cf maybe 5-10 'supine shifts' per night perhaps lesser of 2 evils.
Not sure of protocol on this site re manufacturers, if someone can let me know ? but looking forward to talking further.
Happy to field any enquiries.
rgds Michael Gorman