Firms tackle sleep apnea with innovation

Chinese medical device makers are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence in home sleep apnea machines, aiming to make treatment easier to use and sustain as they compete for a larger share of China's growing market.

BMC Medical, a Chinese respiratory health device maker, introduced its E6 device in Beijing on Sept 3, incorporating automated guided setup, adaptive pressure adjustments and instant sleep data interpretation to address a persistent problem: patients abandoning devices because they find them uncomfortable or difficult to operate.

The launch reflects a growing emphasis on user experience among domestic manufacturers seeking to expand adoption and compete with established international brands.

Chen Xiao, the company's chief marketing officer, said that domestic brands have made rapid strides in baseline market adoption, although international manufacturers remained dominant among sleep therapy machines priced above 5,000 yuan ($745). Improving products was only part of the challenge, he said, as doctors and patients had long-standing confidence in imported equipment.

"The industry does not lack specifications and features," Chen said. "What it lacks is a set of standards that meets clinical needs and delivers a good user experience."

Sleep apnea machines deliver pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. But getting accustomed to that airflow and understanding the settings can be difficult, particularly for new users.

Chen said customers often bought machines because they were concerned about their health, only to stop using them because of discomfort. Addressing that problem required making the device easier to live with over months of treatment.

BMC says the E6 uses a question-and-answer assistant to help configure initial settings and turns overnight data into plain-language summaries, helping users understand their experience without navigating complex controls or reports.

During sleep, its algorithms analyze breathing patterns to anticipate potential disturbances and adjust pressure, according to the company. The machine also reviews the previous five nights' data to refine subsequent pressure settings and regulates airflow temperature and humidity to improve comfort.

The aim, Chen said, was to make the machine adapt to the user and reduce the effort needed to keep using it.

While international competitors such as Australia-based ResMed have introduced automatic pressure adjustment in models like the AirSense 11, domestic manufacturers are pushing further into software-driven consumer support.

Hunan province-based Cofoe Medical Technology Co has pursued a similar path. Its C11 device combines pressure adjustment on the device with cloud-based analysis that converts sleep monitoring data into reports and lifestyle suggestions.

In its April prospectus, Cofoe reported a sharp year-on-year surge in ventilator sales volume for the first quarter of 2026, citing greater consumer demand for its newer smart devices, even as average selling prices edged lower.

The broader market shows ample room for sustained growth. China's home ventilator market expanded from 1 billion yuan in 2019 to 2.7 billion yuan in 2024, according to Frost & Sullivan research commissioned by Cofoe and disclosed in the prospectus.

The consultancy projected the market would reach 4.8 billion yuan by 2030, representing compound annual growth of 10.2 percent from 2024. The figures cover home ventilators for both sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The research linked demand to greater awareness of respiratory care and improved diagnosis and management of chronic conditions.

BMC reported in July that, based on Frost & Sullivan findings, it ranked first domestically and second globally by sales volume for home breathing machines, with nearly 27 percent share of the Chinese market.

Chen said growing health awareness and willingness to pay for treatment were expanding the customer base. He expected domestic brands to continue gaining share, but said changing perceptions of Chinese medical equipment would take time.

Broader adoption would also bring pressure on profitability. Chen said the median domestic market price for home breathing machines had fallen below 5,000 yuan from above that level previously.

"As penetration increases and more manufacturers enter the industry, gross margins will inevitably fall," Chen said. "Technological innovation, high clinical value and user retention will determine who stays ahead."

lijing2009@chinadaily.com.cn