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Inventor Creates Tiny Device that Stops Snoring

When you look at the alternative, you'll understand why we call it tiny

By Rain Noe - November 6, 2015

in Medical

Two years ago a doctor fixed my sleep apnea with a special mouthpiece. If I had a more severe case, I'd have to sleep hooked up to the decidedly design-challenged CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. Take a look at your average CPAP:

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I'll say you have to already be married to get one of these. Because if you're single, and you think that cute girl or guy you're courting is going to be happy waking up next to Hannibal Lecter after he got his TIE Fighter pilot's license, you might want to think again.

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Heck, even if you're married, I'd say wearing this thing might push your significant other over the edge.

Face-timing with a divorce attorney

Unsurprisingly, half of people with CPAP machines stop wearing them. CPAP technology is no good if 50% of people who need it refuse to use it. So inventor Stephen Marsh has come up with something less intrusive that he calls the Airing:

Airing: The World's First Hoseless, Maskless, Cordless Micro-CPAP device from White Rhino on Vimeo.

Marsh raised $1,098,219 on IndieGogo to put towards getting the Airing into production. The solution is not perfect; if it's not clear in the video, these are meant for one-time use only. They're estimated to retail for $3 each (or 60 cents each after insurance reimbursement, they reckon) which means you'd be looking at $1,095 ($219 after insurance) annually. But until a better, less expensive design emerges, this certainly appears to be the best solution—and is leaps and bounds more user-friendly than that freaking CPAP.

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Gazo o

9 years ago

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I've seen this reposted in many a social media circles . This device has so many red flags, I don't even know where to begin. First off, it hasn't been created yet. It's fancy eye-candy that gets people excited and as of yet, they don't even have a functional prototype. Why don't they have a prototype? Because what they are doing is next to freakin' impossible! CPAP requires pressures from 15-20 psi, along with a humidification unit, for an 8 hour period! There's a reason why CPAP machines are as large as they are, and somehow this is supposed to be battery powered and all fit inside of this neat little matchbox form? My BS detector doesn't have a higher alert than this! Also, why is this being crowd funded if it's such a good idea? Why aren't private investors jumping at this? Instead let's spoon feed it to the naive public who will believe anything if there's a juicy rendering involved. Next time you hear from this guy, he'll be on his own private island in the Caribbean.

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Colin Stead

8 years ago

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Ha ha Hannibal Lecter indeed! This solution is better but a bit pricey - worth it if it works though

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Colin Stead

8 years ago

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Ha ha Hannibal Lecter indeed! This solution is better but a bit pricey - worth it if it works though

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Colin Stead

8 years ago

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I agree about the normal cpap - very Hannibal Lecter!! This smaller solution looks OK - bit pricey but worth it if it works

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Boaz Axelrad

8 years ago

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Breath Right is tinyer: www.breatheright.com

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Jules Deberlanger

8 years ago

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For anyone out there searching for a(n) (cheaper) alternative : https://somnomed.com/patients/somnodent-product-information-for-patients/
Though I'm only 22 years old, I was a heavy snorer. I had to go to a sleep laboratory to be eligible to get one of these at a lower cost. (health insurance reimboursement) I have only snored once (after too much alcohol one night) in about 3-4 months. Now while I don't know whether this is completely viable for apnea ( stop breathing ) It helped me with my snoring.

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David Appleman

9 years ago

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Gaze Guy-FYI, CPAP does not REQUIRE humidification. It is used by some, but not all, and is mainly the to aid in comfort by prevent excessive drying of sinus passages. I speak from experience as a CPAP user. You may be right on the rest of your points, that remains to be seen.

My wife often ask me to put my mask on. Not for my benefit, but hers. It has become a white noise generator that actually helps her to sleep.

I would be eager to get hold of the airing, if it became real, just to have a as backup, our for use while traveling. I'd gladly pay $3 each to keep a weeks or two on hand so I don't have to lug my CPAP around on vacation. Traveling is the only CPAP downside for me.

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John Kestner

9 years ago

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I think you should be skeptical. This product may not be much more real than a Yanko Design concept. Read what engineers have to say about it: http://www.eevblog.com/forum/crowd-funded-projects/the-airing/

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Thom Edley

9 years ago

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A CPAP mask might push your SO over the edge? No. The snoring pushes them, the CPAP is salvation. Of the 50% who stop using CPAP, what percent stops because of that kind of shaming and stigma? That drove my initial uneasiness, after 2 years neither of us care. Strike that, if I ever quit it my husband would leave.

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