Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Exhibit Hall to be a Highlight of SLEEP 2008

In addition to its scientific program of research presentations and educational sessions, SLEEP 2008 features an exhibit hall with booth displays from more than 150 pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturers, publishers, software distributors and educational providers.

Exhibitors at SLEEP 2008 will showcase products such as sleep medications, diagnostic equipment used for sleep studies, and therapeutic devices such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) units and masks.

Of particular interest this year will be unattended portable monitoring systems that can be used for
home sleep testing. A recent decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved the use of home sleep testing for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in Medicare beneficiaries.

Many of the products on display are used in the diagnosis and treatment of people with
sleep disorders. It is estimated that 50 million to 70 million people in the U.S. suffer from a chronic sleep disorder, and the majority of them have not been diagnosed or treated. There are 81 sleep disorders classified in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, 2nd Edition (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2005).

The SLEEP 2008 exhibit hall will be open to registered attendees from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, June 9, and Tuesday, June 10; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11.