DEVICE TO TREAT SNORING AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA IN ADULTS AND TO PREVENT INFANTS FROM SLEEPING NON-SUPINE

• US 20080264426A1
• Filed: 04/28/2008
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Walker
• Original Assignee: James Walker
• Inventors: Walker, James
• Application Number:
  US12/111,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20080264426A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/04 Babies, e.g. for SIDS detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00

Abstract

This is a position sensing monitor that provides private sensory biofeedback to adults, in the form of auditory stimulus or tactile sensation (vibration), to promote non-supine sleep. The essential feature of this invention is to eliminate/reduce position-related snoring and obstructive sleep apnea and not disrupting sleep of bed partner. A variation of this concept is its use in infants to promote sleeping supine by parental notification of rolling from supine to side or prone positions, allow re-position to supine and thereby reducing the risk for SIDS.

Claims

1. A small monitor that identifies supine and non-supine sleeping position.

2. A system as in claim 1 to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in adults without disturbing bed-partner'"'"'s sleep

3. A system as in claim 2, that is based upon biofeedback principles and provides an intermittent audible tone and/or tactile stimulation when an adult individual is supine position, and ceasing once move to a non-supine position.

4. A system as in claim 3 where the audible can be provided privately by means of a small bud earphone, either wireless or connected by fine wire to the monitor, to not to disturb the individual'"'"'s bed partner.

5. A system as in claim 2 is worn on chest by means of a strap, adhesive material that attaches to the skin, or attaches to bed clothing

6. A system as in claim 2 that, by learning principles, can condition an individual from sleeping supine.

7. A system as in claim 2 that can store information regarding time spent in the supine and non-supine position.

8. A system as in claim 1 where is attached to an infants bed clothing.

9. A system as in claim 8 that emits an audible alarm to notify parents when an infant moves to a non-supine position.