High-sensitivity sensors for sensing various physiological phenomena, particularly useful in anti-snoring apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. Apparatus for controlling snoring or other predetermined body condition by a person, comprising:
- a sensor for sensing said predetermined body condition of the person while sleeping; and
for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to the sensed condition;
a stimulus device effective, when actuated, to immediately produce a response in the person tending to interrupt said sensed body condition; and
a processor for processing said outputted sensor signal to determine whether it indicates the presence of said sensed body condition, and if so, for actuating said stimulus device to produce said response tending to interrupt said sensed body condition;
characterized in that said sensor is a mechanical vibrations sensor and is included between, and in contact with, a pair of plates of larger size than said sensor for sensing mechanical vibrations in an external part of the person'"'"'s body and for transmitting said mechanical vibrations to said sensor for generating and outputting said sensor signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanical vibration sensor adapted to be brought into contact with an object for sensing mechanical vibrations in the object, includes a body of a soft elastomeric material having high transmissivity and low attenuation properties with respect to a preselected type of energy waves; and a pair of transducers mounted, by mounting members having high attenuation properties with respect to the energy waves, in spaced relationship to each other to define a transmission channel between the transducers. Such sensor is particularly useful in a method and apparatus for controlling snoring by a person, by utilizing a stimulus device effective, when sensing snoring, to immediately produce a response in the person tending to interrupt the person'"'"'s snoring.
60 Citations
10 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling snoring or other predetermined body condition by a person, comprising:
- a sensor for sensing said predetermined body condition of the person while sleeping; and
for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to the sensed condition;
a stimulus device effective, when actuated, to immediately produce a response in the person tending to interrupt said sensed body condition; and
a processor for processing said outputted sensor signal to determine whether it indicates the presence of said sensed body condition, and if so, for actuating said stimulus device to produce said response tending to interrupt said sensed body condition;characterized in that said sensor is a mechanical vibrations sensor and is included between, and in contact with, a pair of plates of larger size than said sensor for sensing mechanical vibrations in an external part of the person'"'"'s body and for transmitting said mechanical vibrations to said sensor for generating and outputting said sensor signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a sensor for sensing said predetermined body condition of the person while sleeping; and
Specification