Method and apparatus for controlling sleep disorder breathing
First Claim
1. A method of controlling sleep disorder breathing in a person, the method comprising the steps of:
- connecting an interface from a source of compressed air to a person'"'"'s breathing passages;
supplying compressed air from the source of compressed air through the interface to the person'"'"'s breathing passages;
measuring flow related variables and pressure variables of the compressed air in the interface;
detecting indications of sleep disorder breathing by comparing the measured flow related variables and the measured pressure variables to a sleep disorder breathing threshold;
responsive to the detection of indications of sleep disorder breathing, adjusting pressure of the compressed air while continuing to monitor the measured flow related variables and the measured pressure variables for sleep disorder breathing; and
updating the sleep disorder breathing threshold continuously on the basis of previously measured pressure and flow variables.
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Abstract
A method and device for controlling sleep disorder breathing utilizes variable multiple level pressures. A pressure source supplies compressed breathable gas at a relatively low pressure to the user'"'"'s airway. Pressure transducers monitor pressures and convert them into electrical signals. The electrical signals are filtered and processed to extract specific features such as duration and energy levels. If these features exceed selected threshold values for duration and energy level over a minimum period of time, then the microprocessor declares the presence of sleep disorder breathing. If a selected number of these events occur within a selected time period, then the microprocessor adjusts the pressure delivered by the pressure source. If sleep disorder breathing is not detected within a certain time period, then the microprocessor lowers the pressure level gradually. The device and method disclosed in this patent is capable of detecting apnea, hypopnea, and pharyngeal wall vibration. Further, it is able to distinguish between obstructive, central and mixed apnea and hypopnea.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of controlling sleep disorder breathing in a person, the method comprising the steps of:
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connecting an interface from a source of compressed air to a person'"'"'s breathing passages; supplying compressed air from the source of compressed air through the interface to the person'"'"'s breathing passages; measuring flow related variables and pressure variables of the compressed air in the interface; detecting indications of sleep disorder breathing by comparing the measured flow related variables and the measured pressure variables to a sleep disorder breathing threshold; responsive to the detection of indications of sleep disorder breathing, adjusting pressure of the compressed air while continuing to monitor the measured flow related variables and the measured pressure variables for sleep disorder breathing; and updating the sleep disorder breathing threshold continuously on the basis of previously measured pressure and flow variables. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for controlling sleep disorder breathing in a person comprising:
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a source of pressurized breathable gas; an interface connecting the source of breathable gas to a person'"'"'s breathing passages; at least one sensor coupled to the interface for measuring flow related variables and pressure related variables of the pressurized breathable gas in the interface; detection means for comparing the measured flow related variables and the measured pressure variables to a sleep disorder breathing threshold, and responsive to the detection of indications of sleep disorder breathing, adjusting pressure of the compressed air while continuing to monitor the measured flow related variables and the measured pressure variables for sleep disorder breathing; calculation means for updating the sleep disorder breathing threshold continuously on the basis of previously measured pressure and flow variables. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification