METHOD AND SYSTEM TO DIAGNOSE CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA

• US 20130345589A1
• Filed: 03/12/2012
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Hueser, Lauren Elizabeth, Laura Lapoint, Manuel, Sibenaller, Sara Marie
• Granted Patent: US 9,999,386 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/538
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0803 Recording apparatus specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea

Abstract

Methods and system to diagnose central sleep apnea of a patient employ a relatively short test, combining few breathing parameters. The test is short in comparison to commonly used time-consuming and complex multi-parameter sleep studies. The patient uses a positive airway pressure device, and follows breathing cues. The occurrence of a central apnea during the delivery of breathing cues may support a diagnosis of central sleep apnea.

Claims

1. A system configured to support diagnosis of central sleep apnea of a subject using a test, the system comprising:

a device configured to deliver breathing cues to a self-ventilating subject that prompt the self-ventilating subject to breathe a gas;

one or more sensors that generate one or more output signals conveying information related to one or more parameters associated with the gas;

one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising;

a parameter determination module configured to determine a first breathing parameter and a second breathing parameter from the one or more output signals generated by the one or more sensors;

a control module configured to control the device to regulate the breathing cues provided to the self-ventilating subject to adjust the first breathing parameter; and

an event module configured to detect an occurrence of a central apnea based on the second breathing parameter during delivery of breathing cues.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer program modules further comprise a compliance module configured to determine whether the self-ventilating subject adequately complies with the delivered breathing cues.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer program modules further comprise a quality-verification module configured to verify whether the test was conducted in compliance with a set of quality guidelines.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more output signals convey information related to one or more of a tidal volume of the breathing of the self-ventilating subject, a respiratory rate, an inhalation time, an exhalation time, or a flow rate of the breathing of the self-ventilating subject.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more output signals convey information related to one or both of a thoracic respiratory effort of the self-ventilating subject and/or an abdominal respiratory effort of the self-ventilating subject.

6. A method of diagnosing central sleep apnea of a subject during a test, the method comprising;

delivering breathing cues to a self-ventilating subject that prompt the self-ventilating subject to breathe a gas;

generating one or more output signals conveying information related to one or more parameters associated with the gas;

determining a first breathing parameter and a second breathing parameter from the one or more generated output signals;

regulating the breathing cues to adjust the first breathing parameter;

detecting an occurrence of a central apnea based on the second breathing parameter during delivery of breathing cues.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether the self-ventilating subject adequately complies with the delivered breathing cues.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising verifying whether the test was conducted in compliance with a set of quality guidelines.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more output signals convey information related to one or more of a tidal volume of the breathing of the self-ventilating subject, a respiratory rate, an inhalation time, an exhalation time, or a flow rate of the breathing of the self-ventilating subject.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more output signals convey information related to one or both of a thoracic respiratory effort of the self-ventilating subject and/or an abdominal respiratory effort of the self-ventilating subject.

11. A system configured to diagnose central sleep apnea of a subject during a test, the method comprising;

means for delivering breathing cues to a self-ventilating subject that prompt the self-ventilating subject to breathe a gas;

means for generating one or more output signals conveying information related to one or more parameters associated with the gas;

means for determining a first breathing parameter and a second breathing parameter from the one or more generated output signals;

means for regulating the breathing cues to adjust the first breathing parameter;

means for detecting an occurrence of a central apnea based on the second breathing parameter during delivery of breathing cues.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising means for determining whether the self-ventilating subject adequately complies with the delivered breathing cues.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising means for verifying whether the test was conducted in compliance with a set of quality guidelines.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more output signals convey information related to one or more of a tidal volume of the breathing of the self-ventilating subject, a respiratory rate, an inhalation time, an exhalation time, or a flow rate of the breathing of the self-ventilating subject.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more output signals convey information related to one or both of a thoracic respiratory effort of the self-ventilating subject and/or an abdominal respiratory effort of the self-ventilating subject.