Device to detect and treat Apneas and Hypopnea
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a Microphone disposed proximal to a patient for sensing and conveying data indicative of respiration and providing corresponding signals;
a Plethysmograph for sensing and conveying data indicative of respiration and providing corresponding signals;
a computer configured for processing signals generated by the Microphone and Plethysmograph and generating a control signal in response thereto;
a patient stimulator, responsive to said computer control signal, comprising at least one of a mechanical tactile sensory stimulator,an audio effects broadcaster,a speaker, anda Bluetooth Ear-bud.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the treatment of Sleep Apnea events and Hypopnea episodes wherein one embodiment comprises a wearable, belt like apparatus containing a microphone and a plethysmograph. The microphone and plethysmograph generate signals that are representative of physiological aspects of respiration, and the signals are transferred to an imbedded computer. The embedded computer extracts the sound of breathing and the sound of the heart beat by Digital Signal Processing techniques. The embedded computer has elements for determining when respiration parameters falls out of defined boundaries for said respiration parameters. This exemplary method provides real-time detection of the onset of a Sleep Apnea event or Hypopnea episode and supplies stimulation signals upon the determination of a Sleep Apnea event or Hypopnea episode to initiate an inhalation. In one embodiment, the stimulus is applied to the patient by a cutaneous rumble effects actuator and/or audio effects broadcasting.
58 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An apparatus comprising:
-
a Microphone disposed proximal to a patient for sensing and conveying data indicative of respiration and providing corresponding signals; a Plethysmograph for sensing and conveying data indicative of respiration and providing corresponding signals; a computer configured for processing signals generated by the Microphone and Plethysmograph and generating a control signal in response thereto; a patient stimulator, responsive to said computer control signal, comprising at least one of a mechanical tactile sensory stimulator, an audio effects broadcaster, a speaker, and a Bluetooth Ear-bud. - View Dependent Claims (2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
3. A method, comprising:
-
detecting patient respiration with a microphone and generating corresponding signals; detecting patient respiration with a plethysmograph and generating corresponding signals; processing said microphone signals and said plethysmograph signals and including detecting a sleep disorder, wherein a corresponding control signal is provided when said sleep disorder is detected; and stimulating said patient with at least one of a mechanical tactile stimulator, an audio effects broadcaster, a speaker, and a Bluetooth ear bud. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification