Sleep apnea is a medical condition that can be both frustrating and dangerous. Individuals with sleep apnea are at risk of major medical complications due to the challenges they face while sleeping. Spouses and other people sharing a bed with a person who has sleep apnea may also find the noise of the individual snoring or the motions when they suddenly wake up to be disruptive to their sleep as well.
Medical professionals often recommend that people with sleep apnea use special machines, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines. In some cases, those devices can put people with sleep apnea at risk of secondary medical issues due to manufacturing problems.
A major recall highlights how materials matter
Sleep apnea machines have foam at certain points, including where the mask meets the face. That foam is there to enhance comfort and to muffle the noise produced. Unfortunately, that foam could cause serious medical issues if it isn’t of appropriate quality.
A recall in 2021 involving CPAP and BiPAP devices manufactured by Philips Respironics proves the need for careful testing and strict quality control. The polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) foam included in the recalled devices was found to break down over time. Small pieces of foam and dangerous chemicals could then end up ingested or inhaled by the person using the device.
Those who purchased used devices or who never registered their machines may not have learned of the recall and continued to use them. That means they may have developed illnesses associated with the inhalation or ingestion of those foam particles – or could in the future.
There are countless other scenarios where manufacturers cut corners at the cost of consumer and patient safety. Anyone harmed by a defective medical product may potentially have grounds to take legal action against the manufacturer. Connecting medical issues to an unsafe or defective medical device can help patients hold manufacturers accountable for unsafe products.
