ACOUSTIC SLEEP APNEA MONITOR

• US 20110172552A1
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vanderbilt University
• Original Assignee: Vanderbilt University
• Inventors: Rothman, Brian S., Berry, James M.
• Application Number:
  US12/985,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20110172552A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/529
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0204 Acoustic sensors
• 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

Abstract

The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for monitoring an individual for an irregular respiratory event. The present invention discloses a sleep apnea monitor for monitoring an individual for an apneic event. The monitor includes a microphone for detecting tracheal sounds related to respiration so that irregular lengths of time between such sounds may activate an alert of the medical condition. The method of monitoring an individual for an irregular respiratory event includes attaching the monitor in a nonintrusive manner to a location around the throat area.

Claims

1. An apnea monitor, comprising:

a housing;

a microphone attached to the housing;

an amplifier attached to the microphone, wherein the amplifier has a bandpass filter;

a microprocessor attached to the amplifier;

a reset button attached to the microprocessor;

a light attached to the microprocessor;

an adhesive element attached to the housing;

an energy source attached to the microprocessor.

2. The apnea monitor of claim 1, further comprising a speaker attached to the microprocessor.

3. The apnea monitor of claim 2, wherein the apnea monitor weighs thirty grams or less.

4. The apnea monitor of claim 2, wherein the bandpass filter accepts frequencies in a range of from about 1.5 kHz to about 2.0 kHz.

5. The apnea monitor of claim 2, wherein the bandpass filter accepts frequencies in a range of from about 400 Hz to about 700 Hz.

6. An apnea monitor, comprising:

an adhesive element

a microphone attached to the adhesive element;

a microprocessor attached to the microphone;

a light attached to the microprocessor;

a speaker attached to the microprocessor;

a battery attached to the microprocessor.

7. The apnea monitor of claim 6, wherein the apnea monitor is disposable.

8. The apnea monitor of claim 6, wherein the light illuminates upon the detection of an apneic event.

9. The apnea monitor of claim 6, further comprising a vibration unit attached to the microprocessor.

10. The apnea monitor of claim 9, wherein the adhesive element is circular.

11. The apnea monitor of claim 6, wherein the microprocessor further comprises software for audio analysis.

12. The apnea monitor of claim 11, further comprising a reset button attached to the microprocessor.

13. The apnea monitor of claim 12, further comprising a light source to indicate power.

14. The apnea monitor of claim 13, wherein the microprocessor further comprises wireless communication hardware.