SLEEP APNEA TEST SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND SLEEP APNEA TEST EQUIPMENT USING THE SAME

• US 20090203970A1
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Company Limited (PHC Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Asahi Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Fukushima, Shogo, Yamamoto, Matsuki
• Application Number:
  US11/914,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20090203970A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• 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 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0878 using temperature sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise

Abstract

This relates to a sleep apnea test sensor assembly (20) comprising multiple sensors to be used for diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome, and a test equipment (30) comprising the same. The respective sensors each associate sensing data measured by a respective sensing section with time data of a clock unit, and store them in a storage unit so as to allow the sensing section to perform sensing at a predetermined period in response to a clocking operation of the clock unit, and set time of the clock unit in response to a synchronous signal input from outside. The respective sensors operate physically independently of each other, but can measure sensing data with the synchronization in time therebetween being secured, enabling accurate diagnosis of SAS.

Claims

1. A sleep apnea test sensor assembly comprising multiple sensors to be used for diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome, wherein:

the multiple sensors each comprise;

a sensing section;

a clock unit;

a storage unit for storing sensing data measured by the sensing section and associated with time data of the clock unit; and

a control unit for allowing the sensing section to perform sensing at a predetermined period in response to a clocking operation of the clock unit, and for setting time of the clock unit in response to a synchronous signal input from outside; and

the multiple sensors are comprised of a combination of at least two of a temperature sensor for measuring nose breath, a temperature sensor for measuring mouth breath, an acoustic sensor for measuring snore, a light sensor for measuring blood oxygen concentration, and acceleration sensors for measuring chest and stomach movements.

2. A sleep apnea test equipment comprising:

a sleep apnea test sensor assembly according to claim 1; and

a main apparatus having a storage section for storing the multiple sensors forming the sensor assembly, and having a control unit for outputting a synchronous signal to control time of the multiple sensors,

wherein the main apparatus collects the sensing data, together with the time data, of the respective sensors while stored in the storage section.