In 1981, by inventing a conceptually simple method, Professor Sullivan showed how to effectively treat obstructive sleep apnea. Based on Sullivan's unchallenged discovery, the condition has became the subject of intensive medical research. It has been shown to have a high community prevalence from birth to old age, leading insidiously to reduced quality of life and shortened life expectancy. Sullivan's method has been made practical through the establishment of an Australian company, now ranked in the top 100 stocks, with a market capitalisation exceeding $1,000 million and employing 550 persons. There is now a world wide industry valued at $600 million, growing at 25% per year, based on his invention.