Dymedix®: Manufacturer Spotlight

Dymedix is a manufacturer of sleep technology, providing sleep study labs with sleep sensors that use advanced PVDF technology to separate themselves from other competitors in the sleep study industry. Dymedix offers a wide variety of airflow sensors and modules, effort belts, and surface electrodes to monitor sleep abnormalities in patients.

Dymedix utilizes the sensitive polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film technology in their sensors. PVDF film is the fastest signal transmitter in the sleep sensor industry (1,000 times faster than a traditional airflow thermistor). The PVDF film is used in both the airflow sensors and the effort belts to provide accurate results while increasing patients' comfort levels.

Dymedix TriplePlay Airflow Sensors

The Dymedix TriplePlay Airflow Sensor is unique in that it reacts to pressure and temperature changes, eliminating the need for both a pressure cannula and thermistor. Dymedix offers both reusable and disposable airflow sensors in a variety of both adult and pediatric sizes. These airflow sensors use PVDF, a unique polarized plastic film that, when processed with frequency filtration circuitry, delivers fast and reliable signals when the PVDF is excited by movement, pressure, vibration and temperature changes.

PVDF technology not only uses temperature to obtain airflow, but also pressure and vibration. The result is a crisp, superior signal. The real value of using PVDF sensors is a more linear airflow pattern and faster response time in comparison to a traditional thermocouple or thermistor sensor. The response time of a traditional sensor is generally 2-3 seconds, while the Dymedix Airflow Sensor has an incredibly fast response time of just 5 milliseconds. When used for airflow sensing, this technology allows for the detection of apneas, hypopneas, UARS, and snoring, all with one sensor. No other sleep diagnostic sensor technology comes close to matching the superior qualities of Dymedix PVDF sensors.

Dymedix TriplePlay Airflow Sensors were made with a patient's comfortability in mind. Dymedix TriplePlay Airflow Sensors don't use intrusive and bulky cannulas, which can get displaced. Uncomfortable sensors on a patient can lead to a lack of sleep, which could cause unreliable sleep study results as well as a poor night of sleep for the patient. The soft and flexible airflow sensors made by Dymedix are resistant to mucus, are highly linear, and they do not lose data due to dislodging or patient movement.

Potential lab benefits of the use of PVDF sensors in polysomnography include the reduction of the need for two channels to measure airflow (one for apnea and one for hypopnea) to just one channel, which also eliminates the need for two separate sensors as the PVDF sensor is responsive to both pressure and temperature changes.

Airflow Filtration Modules

The Dymedix TriplePlay Airflow Sensors are used with one of five different Airflow Filtration Module interface cables, which provides the user with a variety of waveform options and combinations. These filtration modules are compatible with a variety of PSG systems, including Embla, Alice 5, Alice 6, and Grael. A Universal 1.5 mm filtration module is also available for PSG systems other than the ones listed above.

• The FM1 Airflow Filtration Module provides one output with smooth sinusoidal waveforms focusing on identification of apnea and hypopnea events.
• The FM2 Airflow Filtration Module adds more subtle changes in the airflow signal often associated with flow limitation and UARS.
• The FM3 Airflow Filtration Module adds a second output channel of snore data, all originating from one PVDF airflow sensor.
• The FM4 Airflow Filtration Module provides two separate channels of airflow waveforms, one for scoring apnea events, and another for scoring hypopnea events.
• The FM5 Airflow Filtration Module provides the same functionality as the FM4, but includes an additional snore channel.

PerfectFit Chest and Abdomen Effort Belts

Dymedix offers a wide variety of PVDF based Effort Belts that are available in Standard and RIP Alternatives and in Reusable/Disposable and Adult/Pediatric versions. Dymedix PerfectFit Effort Belts are used with a choice of signal conditioning modules and interface cables to provide the user the option to connect with a variety of PSG systems. The belts require no external power source, and there are no uncomfortable woven wire straps. The PerfectFit Effort Belts are activated using pressure and strain, creating the perfect signal that is unaffected by patient position.

• The PerfectFit 2 Effort Belt has a permanently attached connection cable with a small passive module for signal conditioning.
• The PerfectFit 2 R/S Belt provides an RIP output signal specifically designed for only three PSG systems (Embla, Grael, and Alice 6) that contain integrated RIP circuitry in the electrode input box.
• The Dymedix PerfectFit 3D Effort Belt Sensor provides users with two reusable polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensor modules that incorporate button connectors that can be connected to a disposable cut-to-size PerfectFit 3D Button Hole Strap.
• The PerfectFit 3D R/S belt provides a RIP output signal specifically designed for only three PSG systems (Embla, Grael, and Alice 6) that contain integrated RIP circuitry in the electrode input box.
• The PerfectFit Chest and Abdomen belts can also be combined with a single active module to deliver Chest, Abdomen, and Sum channels.

Surface Electrodes

The Dymedix surface electrode line includes 2-in-1 leg EMG electrodes, 3-in-1 chin EMG electrodes, and a disposable snore sensor. The Dymedix Dual EMG Electrode consists of two surface electrodes placed within a single patch making it ideal for a quick setup to record leg movements during sleep studies. These electrodes are compatible with the Dymedix Dual Snap Lead Wires. The Dymedix Dual Snap Lead Wires were designed as the perfect combination to the Dual EMG Electrode. With two snaps on one wire, it allows you to have just one wire per leg instead of two.

The Dymedix Chin Electrode Patch consists of three individual surface electrodes placed in a triangle formation, and is a highly convenient way to measure adult submental EMG in this critical area. The redundant third electrode can be plugged into an open channel. If good impedance is lost on one electrode during the night, the third electrode can be used without waking the patient. The TriplePlay Disposable Snore Sensor is extremely responsive to snore vibrations so placement is less critical compared to traditional snore sensors and snore microphones.

Manufactured in the U.S. and compliant with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) accreditation standards, Dymedix sensors and filtration modules come with an industry leading two-year warranty, which is a testament to their durable construction. Dymedix uses the most advanced technology available in the sleep study industry, providing accurate results while keeping the patient's comfort in mind. Dymedix gives customers a durable and quality product with superior performance all while maintaining cost savings at the lab level.

For additional information, please contact us by email at info@mfimedical.com or by phone at (800) 633-1558.