Device and method for treating disordered breathing

• US 20030199945A1
• Filed: 02/10/2003
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Ciulla
• Original Assignee: James Ciulla
• Inventors: Ciulla, James
• Application Number:
  US10/364,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20030199945A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs

Abstract

A device is disclosed for treating sleep and breathing disorders of a patient, along with the method of using the device. The device includes a processor for receiving sensor inputs, processing the received sensor inputs, and generating commands through output devices. A first sensor is positionable for receiving breathing sound information emitted from one of the mouth and nose of a patient. The second sensor is positionable on a patient for receiving breathing sounds information from a patient'"'"'s chest cavity. A third sensor is positionable for receiving information relating to the amount of chest expansion of a patient. A first output device is provided that is capable of providing an auditory signal to a patient. A second output device is capable of providing an electrical signal to a muscle group of a patient that simulates a human touching event. The first, second and third sensors, and the first and second output devices are operatively coupled to the processor to permit the processor to receive information input from the sensors, process the input information to the detect the existence of a sleep-breathing disorder event, and to generate command to at least one of the first and second output devices. The command is capable of directing the at least one output device to provide a series of progressively intrusive stimuli designed to condition the patient to terminate the sleep breathing disorder event, and ultimately, return to a more normal sleep pattern.

Claims

1. A device for treating sleep breathing disorders of a patient comprising

a processor for receiving sensor inputs, processing the received sensor inputs and generating comments to output devices,

a first sensor positionable for receiving breathing sounds information emitted from a mouth and nose of a patient,

a second sensor positionable on a patient for receiving breathing sounds information from a patient'"'"'s chest cavity and

a third sensor positionable for receiving information to the amount of chest expansion of a patient;

a first output device capable of providing an auditory signal to a patient,

a second output device capable of providing an electrical signal to a muscle group of a patient that simulates a human touching event

wherein the first, second and third sensors, and the first and second output devices are operatively coupled to the processor to permit the processor to receive information inputs from the sensors, process the input information to detect the existence of a sleep breathing disorder event, and to generate a command to at least one of the first and second output devices, the command being capable of directing the at least one output device to provide a series of progressively intrusive stimuli designed to condition the patient to terminate the sleep breathing disordered event.