SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING SLEEP PATTERNS AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS

• US 20160151012A1
• Filed: 06/29/2014
• Published: 06/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: North Carolina State University (University of North Carolina System)
• Original Assignee: North Carolina State University (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Bozkurt, Alper, Dieffenderfer, James P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,368,798 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• 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 5/02225 using the oscillometric method
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02433 for infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14553 specially adapted for cerebral tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14557 specially adapted to extracorporeal circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4815 Sleep quality
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4857 Indicating the phase of biorhythm clocks or watches with indicators for biological cycles G04B19/264
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/688 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring sleep are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes emitting light into tissue. The method also includes detecting light backscattered from the tissue. Further, the method includes determining a sleep pattern based on the backscattered light.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

emitting light into tissue;

detecting light backscattered from the tissue; and

determining a sleep pattern based on the backscattered light.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the light includes red and near infrared photons.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein emitting light includes using a light emitting diode (LED) to emit the light.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting light includes using one or more detectors to detect the light.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a signal representative of the backscattered light; and

wirelessly communicating the signal to a remote computing device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining a sleep pattern comprises determining the sleep pattern at the remote computing device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of emitting and detecting are implemented at a wearable device that is attachable to a skin surface.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a control signal for controlling the emission of light.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling an alarm clock or other equipment based on the determined sleep pattern.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a sleep pattern comprises:

determining hemodynamic parameters based on the detected light; and

detecting sleep stages based on the determined hemodynamic parameters.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a sleep pattern comprises:

determining hemodynamic parameters based on the detected light; and

conducting brain electrical activity monitoring to be correlated or co-analyzed with determined hemodynamic parameters.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting hemodynamic parameters based on the detected light.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the hemodynamic parameters include one of heart rate, respiratory rate, cerebral oxygen saturation, and low frequency oscillations for diagnosing sleep disorders.

14. A system comprising:

a wearable device configured to;

emit light into tissue; and

detect light backscattered from the tissue; and

a computing device configured to determine a sleep pattern based on the backscattered light.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the wearable device is attachable to a skin surface.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the light includes red and near infrared photons.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the wearable device include a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit the light.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the wearable device includes one or more detectors configured to detect the light.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the wearable device is configured to:

generate a signal representative of the backscattered light; and

wirelessly communicate the signal to the computing device.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the computing device is configured to generate a control signal for controlling the emission of light.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the computing device is configured to control an alarm clock or other equipment based on the determined sleep pattern.

22. A method comprising:

emitting light into tissue of a person;

detecting light backscattered from the tissue;

determining physiological parameters of the person based on the backscattered light; and

determining an estimation of circadian rhythm of the person based on the physiological parameters.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the light includes red and near infrared photons.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein emitting light includes using a light emitting diode (LED) to emit the light.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

generating a signal representative of the backscattered light; and

wirelessly communicating the signal to a remote computing device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the steps of emitting and detecting are implemented at a wearable device that is attachable to a skin surface.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising generating a control signal for controlling the emission of light.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the physiological parameters comprise one or more of arterial saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, cerebral oxygen saturation, and low frequency oscillations.

29. The method of claim 22, further comprising generating stimuli for application to the person based on the determined circadian rhythm.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein generating the stimuli comprises generating stimuli light based on the determined circadian rhythm.

31. A system comprising:

a wearable device configured to;

emit light into tissue; and

detect light backscattered from the tissue; and

a computing device configured to;

determine physiological parameters of the person based on the backscattered light; and

determine an estimation of circadian rhythm of the person based on the physiological parameters.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the light includes infrared photons.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the wearable device includes a light emitting diode (LED) for emitting the light.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the wearable device is configured to:

generate a signal representative of the backscattered light; and

wirelessly communicate the signal to a remote computing device.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein the wearable device is configured to generate a control signal for controlling the emission of light.

36. The system of claim 31, wherein the physiological parameters comprise one or more of arterial saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, cerebral oxygen saturation, and low frequency hemodynamic oscillations.

37. The system of claim 31, further comprising a stimulation device configured to generate stimuli for application to the person based on the determined circadian rhythm.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the stimulation device is configured to generate stimuli light based on the determined circadian rhythm.