Anthony Esplin, left, and Aaron Esplin of Notre Dame student startup, Sleep Easy Technology. Photo provided.

News Release

SOUTH BEND — Student startup Sleep Easy Technology from the University of Notre Dame can now rest a bit easier after securing a $500,000 investment. The company, which has recently developed an innovative oxygen therapy system for individuals who need supplemental oxygen while sleeping, plans to expand sales with the funding.

During sleep, people experience REM cycles in which the body enters a catatonic state and breathing becomes shallower. This can cause a drop in oxygen levels.

For individuals with compromised lungs, maintaining adequate oxygen levels is essential but can be challenging. Such individuals are often prescribed oxygen therapy devices like CPAP machines or oxygen concentrators for use while they sleep.

According to Anthony Esplin, CEO and founder of Sleep Easy, many patients find the nose tubes in oxygen concentrators or the masks with supplemental oxygen uncomfortable, often leading to restless nights and skin irritation around the nose and ears.

Esplin first became aware of this problem when a neighbor required supplemental nightly oxygen but couldn’t keep the oxygen tubing in his nose.

Drawing on his biomedical engineering background, Esplin and his team developed the Oxyllow System to address this issue. The device consists of two soft foam blocks, each equipped with oxygen diffusers, which are attached to a custom pillowcase.

Designed specifically for side and stomach sleepers, one block is attached to the left side of the pillowcase and the other to the right. When activated, oxygen flows through the diffusers and towards the patient’s nose and mouth. If the patient sleeps on their left side, the left foam block will provide oxygen; if they sleep on their right side, the right foam block will do the same.

According to Esplin, the oxygen from the device creates an “oxygen pocket” around the patient’s nose and mouth that eliminates the need for cumbersome tubes or masks during sleep. The unit can also be adjusted to meet the user’s needs, providing greater comfort and ensuring consistent oxygen levels throughout the night.

Esplin began working on the Oxyllow System in 2019. When he started to receive positive feedback about the potential device he realized he could make a successful business around it. Wanting it to succeed but realizing he had limited entrepreneurial experience, Esplin applied for and was accepted into Notre Dame’s ESTEEM Graduate Program, where students are trained to become entrepreneurs.

Esplin found the 11-month ESTEEM program essential to the company’s progress. “Through the knowledge I gained in the ESTEEM program, I was able to continually refine the Oxyllow System based on customer and physician feedback to the market-ready point it is at today.”

After graduating from ESTEEM in 2021, Esplin opted to remain in South Bend, to take advantage of the many programs the IDEA Center offers its startups. “We’ve participated in everything from the McCloskey New Venture Competition to Race to Revenue to startup accelerators at the IDEA Center,” said Esplin. “The Center has also connected us to essential mentors and investors. Overall, the IDEA Center really equipped us with the knowledge and connections we needed to accelerate our business.”

According to Esplin, the $500,000 investment the company received will primarily be used for marketing and sales.

“We’re already selling about one or two of our systems a day,” Esplin explains. “Our next goal is to sell at least four or five. We don’t think this will be too challenging because we have been growing our sales 50% month over month. We are excited to get the company to a self-sustaining level.”