For Healthcare Providers:
Technical
How does the ARES work?
Is the ARES accurate?
Can I try the ARES myself?
What signals does the ARES Unicorder record?
What category of portable monitor is the ARES?
ARES received FDA clearance and its CE Mark?
Does the ARES test for sleep disorders other than OSA?
Are there patients who should not have an ARES Sleep Apnea
Study?
Pricing
How do I purchase the ARES?
What if I'm not ready to commit to a purchase?
What are the reimbursement rates for the ARES?
Process
Is a prescription required to use the ARES?
How does a patient complete an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
How many nights will the patient have to wear the ARES
Unicorder
How
is an ARES report generated?
How long does it take to get results (ARES Report)?
For Patients:
The ARES Sleep Apnea Study
What is an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
Do I need a prescription to do an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
Does insurance cover the cost of an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
Where do I do an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
What happens during an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
How do I receive/return the ARES Unicorder?
How will I know how to use the ARES?
Is the ARES easy to use?
Is the ARES comfortable?
What happens if there is a problem with the ARES Unicorder
during my study?
The ARES Sleep Apnea Study Results
When will I receive the results from my ARES Sleep Apnea
Study?
What happens if the ARES report is abnormal?
Who will see my ARES Sleep Apnea Study Results?
What are the treatment options for OSA?
What if the ARES report is normal, but I am symptomatic?
For
Researchers:
Can the ARES be used in clinical studies?
What is the price for an ARES to be used in clinical studies?
For Healthcare Providers:
Technical
How
does the ARES work?
The ARES includes: 1) an easily self-applied device to record physiological
signals during sleep in the home environment (ARES Unicorder); 2) a validated
medical questionnaire (ARES Questionnaire); and 3) expert software to
prepare the Unicorder for use (ARES Manager) and to analyze the ARES Sleep
Apnea Study Data (ARES Insight). The first step in an ARES Sleep Apnea
Study is for the patient to fill out the ARES Questionnaire. The questionnaire
responses will result in an overall obstructive sleep apnea risk level
of No Risk, Low Risk, or High Risk. Based on the ARES Questionnaire risk
level and the recommendation of the healthcare provider, a patient may
be advised to complete an ARES Sleep Apnea Study for two nights in their
home using the ARES Unicorder. The ARES Insight software analyzes the
data acquired by the Unicorder and ARES Questionnaire responses and generates
an ARES Sleep Apnea Study report. To receive the full ARES Technical Review
and/or any of our published papers, email info@b-alert.com.
Is
the ARES accurate?
Yes, the ARES is accurate. The ARES was compared to the "gold standard"
laboratory sleep test (polysomnography) in a clinical study of over 280
subjects. The results showed near-perfect correlations (r=.96) between
the ARES and the laboratory sleep test, establishing the accuracy of the
ARES in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea.
Can I try the ARES myself?
Yes. We offer a two-week trial with sufficient disposables to
complete five studies.
What
signals does the ARES Unicorder record?
The ARES Unicorder records seven physiological parameters required to
diagnose obstructive sleep apnea: oxygen saturation, pulse rate, respiratory
effort, airflow (nasal pressure), snoring sounds, head position, and head
movement.
What
category of portable monitor is ARES?
The ARES 5-series Unicorder is a Level III device. The Level III standard
also corresponds with the billing code CPT 95806 which is defined as a
cardiopulmonary device that records oxygen saturation, pulse rate or EKG,
and two channels of airflow and/or respiratory movement.
ARES
received FDA clearance and its CE Mark?
Yes, the ARES received FDA clearance in October 2004 and the CE Mark in
February 2005.
Does
the ARES test for sleep disorders other than obstructive sleep apnea (i.e.
restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, etc.)?
No, the ARES was designed to exclusively test for obstructive sleep apnea.
Are
there patients who should not have an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
An unattended study may not be appropriate
for someone who would have great difficulty understanding written instructions (for example, patients with severe dementia) or who would be physically unable to use the Unicorder (for example, patients with severe arthritis). Patients who are blind, deaf, or who require supplemental oxygen should not have an ARES study.
Pricing
How
do I purchase the ARES?
If you are interested in obtaining
the ARES for your practice, email sales@b-alert.com.
We would be happy to discuss available options, and which model will be
best suited to your needs. Please be prepared to provide your name, contact
information, and details about how you would like to use the ARES.
What if I'm not ready to commit to a purchase?
The ARES Rental program provides you an opportunity to get started without
the commitment of a purchase. The minimum rental period is for three months
and the rental cost is $400 per month.
What
are the reimbursement rates for the ARES?
Some providers reimburse for the ARES, but coverage varies by region
and provider. In-home, limited channel, unattended studies use CPT code
95806; Inpatient or in-home attended studies use CPT code 95807. Ask your
healthcare provider for specific information regarding reimbursement from
your insurance provider.
Process
Is
a prescription required to use the ARES?
Yes, an ARES Sleep Apnea Study must be ordered by a prescription. For
more information, visit the Information
for Clinicians page.
How
does a patient complete an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
Patients can complete the study by following the simple User
Instructions. The Dispensing
Instructions highlight the points that should be reviewed with the
patient when a face-to-face orientation is possible.
How
many nights will the patient have to wear the ARES Unicorder?
Our studies suggest that there is sufficient night-to-night variability
in patients with mild to moderate OSA that wearing the ARES Unicorder
for two nights in their home is preferable. Recording two nights of data
has the following advantages: 1) If there was a problem with the data
on one night, there is a second night of data that can be used; 2) Collecting
data on two nights will account for some night-to-night variability; and
3) It allows the patient to get accustomed to wearing the Unicorder. In
cases where results are needed quickly, one night of recordings is sufficient.
How
is an ARES report generated?
The ARES Insight software analyzes data acquired by the Unicorder and
ARES Questionnaire responses. The software applies pattern recognition
algorithms to quantify obstructive respiratory events (i.e., apneas and
hypopneas) with the option for manual editing of all events detected or
missed by the ARES algorithms. ARES Insight makes its overall risk assessment
based on the occurrence and duration of abnormal respiratory events, and
based on the patient's responses to the ARES Questionnaire. The ARES diagnostic
report then summarizes the automated and edited events, calculates the
ARES-Respiratory Disturbance Index (ARES-RDI) and hypoxemia statistics,
and presents the OSA risk level based on ARES Questionnaire responses.
All ARES records are subject to periodic quality control checks and/or
to inspection by a sleep specialist if required.
How
long does it take to get results (an ARES Report)?
A preliminary report using the validated auto-scoring algorithms is generated
after the data are downloaded from the Unicorder. The preliminary report
may be appropriate for anesthesiologists and surgeons who might an immediate
assessment of the OSA severity prior to generation of the final report.
Final reports are generated after the data have been reviewed for technical
accuracy and interpreted by a physician.
For Patients:
The ARES Sleep Apnea Study
What
is an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
An ARES Sleep Apnea Study is an in-home diagnostic test for obstructive
sleep apnea. It includes the following steps: 1) completing a 2-page questionnaire
about pre-existing risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea; and 2) wearing
the ARES Unicorder, a wireless lightweight forehead sensor, in your home
while you sleep for two nights.
Do
I need a prescription to do an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
Yes, a prescription is required to order an ARES Sleep Apnea Study. The
ARES
Study Form includes a prescription that you should print and
take to your physician to obtain his/her signature. If your physician
has any questions about OSA or the ARES, refer him/her to our Information
for Clinicians page.
Does
insurance cover the cost of an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
An ARES Sleep Apnea Study costs $400. Some providers are reimbursing for
the ARES, but coverage varies by region and provider. Ask your healthcare
provider for specific information regarding reimbursement from your health
insurance provider.
Where
do I do an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
An ARES Sleep Apnea Study is completed in your home.
What
happens during an ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
During the ARES Sleep Apnea Study, you will wear the ARES Unicorder, a
lightweight wireless sensor, on your forehead while sleeping in your home.
This sensor will record the following: amount of oxygen in the blood,
pulse rate, snoring sounds, head position, head movement, and air flow
pressure. You will also be required to complete a two-page questionnaire.
How
do I receive/ return the ARES Unicorder?
In most cases, Advanced Brain Monitoring will ship the ARES Unicorder
to your home via UPS. You will be provided with pre-paid materials to
ship the ARES Unicorder back to Advanced Brain Monitoring. In some cases,
you will pick up and return the ARES Unicorder to the medical facility
that ordered your ARES Sleep Apnea Study.
How
will I know how to use the ARES?
The ARES Unicorder is very easy to use and comes with simple user instructions.
Warning alarms will sound during the night if there is a problem with
the application of the device. If you need additional assistance in using
the ARES Unicorder, Advanced Brain Monitoring offers 24-hour toll free
technical support.
Is
the ARES easy to use?
Yes, the ARES is very easy to use because it is applied to the forehead
with no wires or cables. In a study of over 180 subjects, all were able
to apply the ARES Unicorder to their forehead following written instructions.
Is
the ARES comfortable?
Yes, the ARES Unicorder is a lightweight and comfortable device. It is
applied to your forehead and does not contain any wires or cables. A soft
elastic strap holding the Unicorder in place and a foam cushion surrounding
the forehead sensor ensure that the Unicorder can be worn comfortably
during sleep.
What
happens if there is a problem with the ARES Unicorder during my study?
Warning alarms will sound during the night if there is a problem with
the application of the device. You can call the 24-hour toll free technical
support number for assistance.
The ARES Sleep Apnea Study Results
When
will I receive the results from my ARES Sleep Apnea Study?
The ARES report will be completed and transmitted to your ordering healthcare
provider within 3 days of the arrival of the ARES Unicorder at Advanced
Brain Monitoring.
What
happens if the ARES report is abnormal?
If the ARES report is abnormal, it may be recommended that you seek treatment
for obstructive sleep apnea. Please follow the Patient
Do's and Don'ts for OSA until you have received treatment. The diagnosis
of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, however, can only be made by a healthcare
provider licensed in your state and should be based on a complete patient
examination. Final diagnosis and treatment recommendations must be based
on all available clinical data, of which the ARES Sleep Apnea Study is
only a part.
Who
will see my ARES Sleep Apnea Study Results?
The results generated at Advanced Brain Monitoring will be sent only to
your prescribing healthcare provider.
What
are the treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea?
The initial treatment of choice for moderate to very severe and/or symptomatic
obstructive sleep apnea is nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
Alternative treatments include mandibular advancing devices (MADs), surgery,
and behavioral modifications. For more information on your treatment options,
visit our OSA Treatment page. If you
have been diagnosed with OSA, read our Patient
Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment.
What
if the ARES Sleep Apnea Study report is normal, but I am symptomatic?
The ARES can only diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. If the ARES Sleep
Apnea Study is normal, you may be referred for a laboratory sleep study
to test for other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy or restless leg syndrome.
For Researchers:
Can
the ARES be used in clinical studies?
Yes, we can provide an ARES IRB package to assist you in getting your
study protocol approved.
What
is the price for an ARES to be used in clinical studies?
Advanced Brain Monitoring enthusiastically supports research in the field
of sleep medicine, and a customized package can be developed with your
research needs and budget in mind.