DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR MONITORING, ANALYZING, AND/OR ADJUSTING SLEEP CONDITIONS

• US 20110295083A1
• Filed: 12/30/2010
• Published: 12/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eric N. Doelling, Ryan P. Boucher, Winfried Hohenhorst
• Original Assignee: Eric N. Doelling, Ryan P. Boucher, Winfried Hohenhorst
• Inventors: DOELLING, ERIC N., Boucher, Ryan P., Hohenhorst, Winfried
• Application Number:
  US12/982,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20110295083A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00

Abstract

Therapeutic and diagnostic systems and methods help an individual with a sleep disordered breathing condition, such as habitual snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), achieve deep, restorative sleep. The systems and methods include component that serve complementary sensing, monitoring, and corrective or diagnostic functions.

Claims

1. A system comprising

a generator operative to supply positive air pressure,

a delivery device sized and configured to be worn by an individual in communication with the individual'"'"'s airway to deliver the positive air pressure from the generator into the airway while sleeping,

a sensing component that senses one or more physical and/or physiologic sleep conditions of the individual to generate a sleep condition output indicative of the physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual,

a monitoring component communicating with the sensing component to compare the sleep condition output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired sleep physical and/or physiologic condition, the monitoring component generating an alarm output when a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition is absent, and

a corrective action component communicating with the monitoring component including a corrective action element that, in response to the alarm output, affects an operating condition of the positive pressure generator and/or generates at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance and/or alters an orientation or configuration of a sleep surface to influence or alter the physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual to return the individual to a physical and/or physiologic sleep condition that correlates to a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition.

2. A system according to claim 1

wherein the sensing component senses a sleeping position.

3. A system according to claim 1

wherein the sensing component comprises one of a gravity-sensitive sensor, a pressure-sensitive sensor, a proximity-sensitive sensor, a magnetic-sensitive sensor, an electronic position-sensitive sensor, a visual position sensor, or an EPT sensor incorporating electronic perception technology (EPT).

4. A system according to claim 1

wherein the sensing component senses the architecture of sounds or vibrations during breathing.

5. A system according to claim 1

wherein the sensing component senses physiologic conditions of the individual.

6. A system according to claim 1

wherein the sensing component is carried by the delivery device.

7. A system according to claim 6

wherein the delivery device comprises a mask.

8. A system according to claim 1

wherein the sensing component is external of the delivery device.

9. A system according to claim 1

wherein, in response to the alarm output, the corrective action element titrates the magnitude of positive air pressure supplied by the generator.

10. A system according to claim 1

wherein, in response to the alarm output, the corrective action element increases the magnitude of positive air pressure supplied by the generator.

11. A system according to claim 1

wherein, in response to the alarm output, the corrective action element ramps the magnitude of positive air pressure supplied by the generator upward according to prescribed increments.

12. A system according to claim 10

wherein, upon return to a physical and/or physiologic sleep condition that correlates to a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition, the corrective action element decreases the magnitude of positive air pressure supplied by the generator.

13. A system according to claim 10

wherein, upon return to a physical and/or physiologic sleep condition that correlates to a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition, the corrective action element ramps the magnitude of positive air pressure supplied by the generator downward according to prescribed increments.

14. A system according to claim 1

wherein the corrective action element includes a correlation function that compares the magnitude of positive air pressure with termination of the alarm output and iteratively adjusts the maximum positive air pressure according to the correlation.

15. A system according to claim 1

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance affects the individual in a tactile, auditory, or other sensory way sufficient to arouse the individual.

16. A system according to claim 1

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance affects the individual in a tactile, auditory, or other sensory way that does not awake and/or arouse the individual and/or subconsciously disturb or change or interrupt the sleep state of the individual.

17. A system according to claim 1

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance comprises at least one of smell, sound, vibration, and taste, light, vibration, temperature, nerve or electrical stimulation of muscles, energy stimulation (ultrasound, radio-frequency, etc), airflow, puffs of air, and moisture.

18. A system according to claim 1

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance is introduced into the delivery device.

19. A method comprising

conveying positive air pressure from a positive air pressure generator into the airway of an individual during sleep,

sensing one or more physical and/or physiologic sleep conditions of the individual to generate a sleep condition output indicative of the physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual,

comparing the sleep condition output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired sleep physical and/or physiologic condition,

generating an alarm output when a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition is absent, and

in response to the alarm output, affecting an operating condition of the positive pressure generator and/or generating at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance and/or altering an orientation or configuration of a sleep surface, to influence or alter the physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual to return the individual to a physical and/or physiologic sleep condition that correlates to a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition.

20. A diagnostic home screening system for obstructive breathing conditions comprising

at least one sound sensitive element that senses respiratory sounds made by an individual during a sleep session and that is sized and configured to be placed on or near the individual during the sleep session,

a micro-processing element that is coupled to the sound sensitive element and that is sized and configured to be placed on or near the individual during the sleep session, the micro-processing element including at least one pre-programmed digital sound processing algorithm that processes and registers respiratory sounds sensed by the sound sensitive element over a sleep session;

compares the processed respiratory sounds registered during the sleep session to benchmark conditions correlated to a range of obstructive breathing conditions from slight to severe;

selects, based upon the comparison, an obstructive breathing condition from the range of obstructive breathing conditions; and

generates a diagnostic output indicative of the obstructive breathing condition selected by the pre-programmed digital sound processing algorithm,

a display element that is coupled to the micro-processor and that is sized and configured to visually present the diagnostic output in a format that is directly readable by the individual without interpretation by a doctor, trained sleep professional, and/or analysis out of the home, and

instructions that direct the individual to place the at least one sound sensitive element on or near the individual during the sleep session while at home, to place the micro-processing element on or near the individual during the sleep session while at home, to complete the sleep session while at home with the at least one sound sensitive element and the micro-processing element monitoring the individual'"'"'s respiratory sounds, and to read the diagnostic output.

21. A system according to claim 20

wherein the diagnostic output is indicative of the site causing an obstructive breathing or snoring condition.

22. A system according to claim 20

wherein the display element comprises one or more lighted indicators.

23. A system according to claim 20

wherein the display element comprises an alpha and/or numeric display.

24. A system according to claim 20

wherein the instructions optionally direct the individual to re-test during a subsequent sleep session while at home.

25. A system according to claim 20

wherein the instructions optionally direct the individual to dispose of the system after use.

26. A method comprising

providing an individual with a diagnostic home screening system for obstructive breathing conditions comprising at least one sound sensitive element that senses respiratory sounds made by the individual during a sleep session and that is sized and configured to be placed on or near the individual during the sleep session, a micro-processing element that is coupled to the sound sensitive element and that is sized and configured to be placed on or near the individual during the sleep session, the micro-processing element including at least one pre-programmed digital sound processing algorithm that processes and registers respiratory sounds sensed by the sound sensitive element over a sleep session;

compares the processed respiratory sounds registered during the sleep session to benchmark conditions correlated to a range of obstructive breathing conditions from slight to severe;

selects, based upon the comparison, an obstructive breathing condition from the range of obstructive breathing conditions; and

generates a diagnostic output indicative of the obstructive breathing condition selected by the pre-programmed digital sound processing algorithm, and a display element that is coupled to the micro-processor and that is sized and configured to visually present the diagnostic output in a format that is directly readable by the individual without interpretation by a doctor or trained sleep professional,

instructing the individual to place the at least one sound sensitive element on or near the individual during the sleep session while at home,

instructing the individual to place the micro-processing element on or near the individual during the sleep session while at home,

instructing the individual to complete the sleep session while at home with the at least one sound sensitive element and the micro-processing element monitoring the individual'"'"'s respiratory sounds, and

instructing the individual to read the diagnostic output.

27. A method according to claim 26

optionally further instructing the individual to dispose of the system after the sleep session.

28. A method according to claim 26

optionally further instructing the individual to re-test during a subsequent sleep session while at home.

29. A system comprising

an EPT sensing component incorporating electronic perception technology (EPT) sized and configured to provide a sleep status dependent output indicative of the relative sleep state of the individual, and

a monitoring component communicating with the EPT sensing component to receive the sleep status dependent output, the monitoring component including a processing element that compares the sleep status dependent output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired sleep state, the processing element generating an alarm output when the individual is not in a desired sleep state.

30. A system according to claim 29

further including a corrective action component communicating with the monitoring component including a corrective action element that, in response to the alarm output, generates an output to influence or alter the individual'"'"'s sleep state to return the individual to a sleep state that correlates to a desired sleep state.

31. A system according to claim 29

wherein the output comprises at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance.

32. A system according to claim 31

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance comprises at least one of smell, sound, vibration, and taste, light, vibration, temperature, nerve or electrical stimulation of muscles, energy stimulation (ultrasound, radio-frequency, etc), airflow, puffs of air, and moisture.

33. A system according to claim 29

wherein the sleep state includes sleep position.

34. A system according to claim 29

wherein the sleep state includes existence of restless leg syndrome;

sleep walking;

going to and from the bathroom to urinate;

tossing, turning, head movement, eye movements due to sleeplessness;

GERD-based movements;

periodic limb movements;

or overall sleep habits.

35. A system according to claim 29

wherein the EPT sensing component comprises at least one of CMOS-based Time-of-flight [ToF], a stereo camera, and structured light.

36. A method comprising

providing an EPT sensing component incorporating electronic perception technology (EPT) sized and configured to provide a sleep status dependent output indicative of the relative sleep state of the individual,

instructing the individual to operate the EPT sensing component to observe the sleep state of the individual during a sleep session,

comparing the sleep status dependent output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired sleep state, and

generating an alarm output when the individual is not in a desired sleep state.

37. A method according to claim 36

further including generating an output in response to the alarm output to influence or alter the individual'"'"'s sleep state to return the individual to a sleep state that correlates to a desired sleep state.

38. A method according to claim 37

wherein the output comprises at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance.

39. A method according to claim 38

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance comprises at least one of smell, sound, vibration, and taste, light, vibration, temperature, nerve or electrical stimulation of muscles, energy stimulation (ultrasound, radio-frequency, etc), airflow, puffs of air, and moisture.

40. A method according to claim 36

wherein the sleep state includes sleep position.

41. A method according to claim 36

wherein the sleep state includes existence of restless leg syndrome;

sleep walking;

going to and from the bathroom to urinate;

tossing, turning, head movement, eye movements due to sleeplessness;

GERD-based movements;

periodic limb movements;

or overall sleep habits.

42. A method according to claim 36

wherein the EPT sensing component comprises at least one of CMOS-based Time-of-flight [ToF], a stereo camera, and structured light.

43. A system comprising

a first sensing component that senses a first physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of an individual to generate a first sleep condition output indicative of the first physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual,

a second sensing component that senses a second physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of an individual to generate a second sleep condition output indicative of the second physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual, and

a monitoring component communicating with the first and second sensing components to compare the first sleep condition output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a first desired sleep physical and/or physiologic condition;

the monitoring component also comparing the second sleep condition output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a second desired sleep physical and/or physiologic condition, the monitoring component generating an alarm output only when both the first and second desired physical and/or physiologic sleep conditions are absent.

44. A system according to claim 43

further including a corrective action component communicating with the monitoring component including a corrective action element that, in response to the alarm output, generates an output to influence or alter at least one the first and second physical and/or physiologic sleep conditions of the individual to return the individual to a physical and/or physiologic sleep condition that correlates to a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition.

45. A system according to claim 43

wherein one of the first and second sensing components senses a sleeping position.

46. A system according to claim 43

wherein the sensing component that senses a sleeping position comprises one of a gravity-sensitive sensor, a pressure-sensitive sensor, a proximity-sensitive sensor, a magnetic-sensitive sensor, an electronic position-sensitive sensor, a visual position sensor, and an EPT sensing component.

47. A system according to claim 43

wherein one of the first and second sensing components senses the architecture of sounds or vibrations during breathing.

48. A system according to claim 43

wherein one of the first and second sensing components senses physiologic conditions of the individual.

49. A method comprising

sensing a first physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of an individual to generate a first sleep condition output indicative of the first physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual,

sensing a second physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of an individual to generate a second sleep condition output indicative of the second physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual,

comparing the first sleep condition output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a first desired sleep physical and/or physiologic condition,

comparing the second sleep condition output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a second desired sleep physical and/or physiologic condition, and

generating an alarm output only when both the first and second desired physical and/or physiologic sleep conditions are absent.

50. A method according to claim 49

further including generating, in response to the alarm output, an output to influence or alter at least one the first and second physical and/or physiologic sleep conditions of the individual to return the individual to a physical and/or physiologic sleep condition that correlates to a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition.

51. A method according to claim 49

wherein one of the first and second physical and/or physiologic sleep conditions of the individual includes a sleeping position.

52. A method according to claim 49

wherein one of the first and second physical and/or physiologic sleep conditions of the individual includes the architecture of sounds or vibrations during breathing.

53. A method according to claim 49

wherein one of the first and second physical and/or physiologic sleep conditions of the individual includes a physiologic condition of the individual.

54. A system comprising

a sensing component that senses at least one physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of an individual to generate a sleep condition output indicative of the physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual,

a monitoring component communicating with the first sensing component to compare the sleep condition output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired sleep physical and/or physiologic condition and to generate an alarm output when the desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition is absent,

a corrective action component communicating with the monitoring component including a corrective action element that, in response to the alarm output, selects a corrective action output to influence or alter the physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual to return the individual to a physical and/or physiologic sleep condition that correlates to a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition, and

a learning function component that iteratively adjusts the selection of the corrective action output according to the sensed physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual to optimize the return of the individual to a physical and/or physiologic sleep condition that correlates to a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition.

55. A system according to claim 54

wherein the at least one physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual includes a sleeping position.

56. A system according to claim 54

wherein the at least one physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual includes the architecture of sounds or vibrations during breathing.

57. A system according to claim 54

wherein the at least one physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual includes a physiologic condition of the individual.

58. A system according to claim 57

wherein the at least one physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual includes a predictor, presence, absence, or onset of an apnea sleep event.

59. A system according to claim 54

wherein the selected corrective action output includes at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance.

60. A system according to claim 59

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance comprises at least one of smell, sound, vibration, and taste, light, vibration, temperature, nerve or electrical stimulation of muscles, energy stimulation (ultrasound, radio-frequency, etc), airflow, puffs of air, and moisture.

61. A system according to claim 59

wherein the learning function component titrates the magnitude of the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance to minimize arousal and/or disruption of the sleep state.

62. A system according to claim 54

further including a variable sleep surface,

wherein the selected corrective action output varies the variable sleep surface.

63. A system according to claim 62

wherein the learning function component adjust the variance of the variable sleep surface.

64. A system according to claim 54

wherein the learning function iteratively adjusts the selection of the type and/or magnitude/amplitude and/or duration of corrective action output to minimize arousal and/or disruption of the sleep state while optimizing the sleep condition.

65. A system according to claim 54

wherein the learning function iteratively adjusts the selection of the corrective action output according to the individual'"'"'s response to the corrective action output to control and/or improve their physical and/or physiologic sleep condition and maintain a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition.

66. A method comprising

sensing at least one physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of an individual to generate a sleep condition output indicative of the physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual,

comparing the sleep condition output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired sleep physical and/or physiologic condition and to generate an alarm output when the desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition is absent,

selecting, in response to the alarm output, a corrective action output to influence or alter the physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual to return the individual to a physical and/or physiologic sleep condition that correlates to a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition, and

iteratively adjusting the selection of the corrective action output according to the sensed physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual to optimize the return of the individual to a physical and/or physiologic sleep condition that correlates to a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition.

67. A method according to claim 66

wherein the at least one physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual includes a sleeping position.

68. A method according to claim 66

wherein the at least one physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual includes the architecture of sounds or vibrations during breathing.

69. A method according to claim 66

wherein the at least one physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual includes a physiologic condition of the individual.

70. A method according to claim 66

wherein the at least one physical and/or physiologic sleep condition of the individual includes a predictor, presence, absence, or onset of an apnea sleep event.

71. A method according to claim 66

wherein the selected corrective action output includes at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance.

72. A method according to claim 71

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance comprises at least one of smell, sound, vibration, and taste, light, vibration, temperature, nerve or electrical stimulation of muscles, energy stimulation (ultrasound, radio-frequency, etc), airflow, puffs of air, and moisture.

73. A method according to claim 71

wherein iteratively adjusting the selection of the corrective action output includes titrating the magnitude of the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance to minimize arousal and/or disruption of the sleep state.

74. A method according to claim 66

wherein the selected corrective action output adjusts a variable sleep surface.

75. A method according to claim 74

wherein iteratively adjusting the selection of the corrective action output includes varying the adjustment of the variable sleep surface.

76. A method according to claim 66

wherein the learning function iteratively adjusts the selection of the corrective action output to minimize arousal and/or disruption of the sleep state.

77. A method according to claim 66

wherein the learning function iteratively adjusts the selection of the corrective action output according to the individual'"'"'s response to the corrective action output to control and/or improve their physical and/or physiologic sleep condition and maintain a desired physical and/or physiologic sleep condition.

78. A system comprising

a sound sensing component comprising a sound sensor sized and configured to be implanted in an individual to provide a sound dependent output indicative of an architecture of breathing sounds and/or vibrations made by the individual while asleep.

79. A system according to claim 78

further including a monitoring component communicating with the sound sensing component to receive the sound dependent output, the monitoring component including a processing element that compares the sound dependent output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired architecture of sound and/or vibrations, the processing element generating an alarm output when the sound dependent output is not a desired architecture of sound and/or vibrations.

80. A system according to claim 79

further including a corrective action component communicating with the monitoring component including a corrective action element that, in response to the alarm output, generates a corrective action output to influence or alter the individual'"'"'s architecture of breathing sounds and/or vibrations made by the individual to return the individual'"'"'s architecture to an architecture that correlates to a desired architecture.

81. A system according to claim 80

wherein the corrective action output includes at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance.

82. A system according to claim 81

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance comprises at least one of smell, sound, vibration, and taste, light, vibration, temperature, nerve or electrical stimulation of muscles, energy stimulation (ultrasound, radio-frequency, etc), airflow, puffs of air, and moisture.

83. A method comprising

providing a sound sensing component comprising a sound sensor sized and configured to be implanted in an individual to provide a sound dependent output indicative of an architecture of breathing sounds and/or vibrations made by the individual while asleep, and

implanting the sound sensing component.

84. A method according to claim 83

further including monitoring the sound dependent output including comparing the sound dependent output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired architecture of sound and/or vibrations and generating an alarm output when the sound dependent output is not a desired architecture of sound and/or vibrations.

85. A method according to claim 84

further including, in response to the alarm output, generating a corrective action output to influence or alter the individual'"'"'s architecture of breathing sounds and/or vibrations made by the individual to return the individual'"'"'s architecture to an architecture that correlates to a desired architecture.

86. A method according to claim 85

wherein the corrective action output includes at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance.

87. A method according to claim 86

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance comprises at least one of smell, sound, vibration, and taste, light, vibration, temperature, nerve or electrical stimulation of muscles, energy stimulation (ultrasound, radio-frequency, etc), airflow, puffs of air, and moisture.

88. A system comprising

a position sensing component comprising a position sensor sized and configured to be implanted in an individual to provide a position dependent output indicative of the relative sleep position of the individual.

89. A system according to claim 88

further including a monitoring component communicating with the position sensor to receive the position dependent output, the monitoring component including a processing element that compares the position dependent output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired sleep position, the processing element generating an alarm output when the individual is not in a desired sleep position.

90. A system according to claim 89

further including a corrective action component communicating with the monitoring component including a corrective action element that, in response to the alarm output, generates a corrective action output to influence or alter the individual'"'"'s sleep position to return the individual to a sleep position that correlates to a desired sleep position.

91. A system according to claim 90

wherein the corrective action output includes at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance.

92. A system according to claim 91

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance comprises at least one of smell, sound, vibration, and taste, light, vibration, temperature, nerve or electrical stimulation of muscles, energy stimulation (ultrasound, radio-frequency, etc), airflow, puffs of air, and moisture.

93. A method comprising

providing a position sensing component comprising a position sensor sized and configured to be implanted in an individual to provide a position dependent output indicative of the relative sleep position of the individual, and

implanting the position sensing component.

94. A method according to claim 93

further monitoring the position dependent output including comparing the position dependent output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired sleep position, the processing element generating an alarm output when the individual is not in a desired sleep position.

95. A method according to claim 94

further including, in response to the alarm output, generating a corrective action output to influence or alter the individual'"'"'s sleep position to return the individual to a sleep position that correlates to a desired sleep position.

96. A method according to claim 95

wherein the corrective action output includes at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance.

97. A method according to claim 96

wherein the at least one sensory or physiologic disturbance comprises at least one of smell, sound, vibration, and taste, light, vibration, temperature, nerve or electrical stimulation of muscles, energy stimulation (ultrasound, radio-frequency, etc), airflow, puffs of air, and moisture.

98. A system comprising

an implant body sized and configured to be implanted in an individual,

a sensing component carried by the implant body to provide an sensed output indicative of a sleep condition of an individual while asleep, and

a monitoring component communicating with the sensing component and carried by the implant body to receive the sensed output, the monitoring component including a processing element that compares the sensed output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired sleep condition, the processing element generating an alarm output when the individual is not in a desired sleep condition.

99. A system according to claim 98

further including a corrective action component communicating with the monitoring component and carried by the implant body including a corrective action element that, in response to the alarm output, generates a corrective action output to influence or alter the individual'"'"'s sleep position to return the individual to a sleep position that correlates to a desired sleep position.

100. A system comprising

a sensing component sized and configured to provide an sensed output indicative of a sleep condition of an individual while asleep,

a corrective action component communicating with the sensing component being sized and configured to be implanted in the individual, the corrective action component including a corrective action element that, in response to the sensed output, generates a corrective action output to influence or alter the individual'"'"'s sleep position to return the individual to a sleep position that correlates to a desired sleep position.

101. A system comprising

a sensing component sized and configured to provide an sensed output indicative of a sleep condition of an individual while asleep, and

a monitoring component communicating with the sensing component being sized and configured to be implanted in the individual, the monitoring component including a processing element that compares the sensed output with one or more benchmark conditions that correlate to a desired sleep condition, the processing element generating an alarm output when the individual is not in a desired sleep condition.