System and method for treating obstructive sleep apnea

• US 20060145878A1
• Filed: 08/29/2005
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sleep Methods, Inc.
• Original Assignee: iLife Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Lehrman, Michael L., Halleck, Michael E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,789,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/575
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs

Abstract

There is disclosed a system and method for treating obstructive sleep apnea by terminating an obstructive sleep apnea event before the cessation of breathing occurs. The system comprises one or more microphones capable of detecting breathing sounds within an airway of a person. The microphones generate signals representative of the breathing sounds and send the signals to a controller. The controller uses digital signal processing to identify at least one signal pattern that is associated with a breathing pattern of the person that occurs at the onset of an obstructive sleep apnea event. When the controller detects a signal pattern that indicates the onset of an obstructive apnea event, the controller sends an alarm signal to a stimulus generator. The stimulus generator creates a stimulus (an electric current, a sound, a vibrator, a flashing light, etc.) to cause the sleeping person to move in a manner to terminate the obstructive sleep apnea event before cessation of breathing occurs. The obstructive sleep apnea event is terminated without waking the sleeping person and without causing the sleeping person physiological stress associated with cessation of breathing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for terminating an obstructive sleep apnea event before the cessation of breathing occurs, wherein the apparatus comprises:

at least one microphone capable of being acoustically associated with a person, said microphone capable of detecting breathing sounds within an airway of said person and capable of generating signals representative of said breathing sounds;

a controller coupled to said at least one microphone and capable of receiving said signals, said controller capable of identifying within said signals at least one signal pattern that is associated with a breathing pattern of said person that occurs at the onset of an obstructive sleep apnea event, and capable of generating an alarm signal in response thereto; and

a stimulus generator coupled to said controller, said stimulus generator capable of receiving said alarm signal from said controller, and in response thereto, creating a stimulus to cause said person to move in a manner that causes said obstructive sleep apnea event to terminate.

2-29. -29. (canceled)