Wearable Tech Market Doubles

- The growth in the wearable technology market is largely driven by increased consumer focus on health and fitness tracking, alongside advancements in sensor technology and integration with the Internet of Things (IoT). North America currently holds the largest share of this market. - The Zeus device utilizes Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), a technology commonly used for pain relief, to target the genioglossus muscle under the chin. This gentle stimulation prevents the tongue from relaxing and blocking the airway during sleep, a frequent cause of snoring. - The technology behind the Zeus wearable was developed over a 15-year period through a partnership between Morgan Innovation & Technology, King's College London, and Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. - Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a widespread condition, affecting an estimated 8 million people in the UK and more than a billion globally. - The standard treatment for sleep apnea, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, faces significant challenges with patient adherence. Due to discomfort with the mask, long-term compliance is low, with only about 25% of patients still using the device after five years. - A previous clinical trial known as the TESLA trial demonstrated that TENS technology improved nocturnal breathing and significantly reduced daytime exhaustion in patients with sleep apnea. - The new NIHR-funded trial aims to build the evidence required to introduce a medical version of the Zeus device into the NHS as a potential alternative for sleep apnea patients who do not tolerate CPAP therapy.