Sleep disorder diagnostic system and method

• US 20070049842A1
• Filed: 08/24/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bertinetti, Mark, Kwok, Philip, Peake, Gregory, Hill, Phoebe, Primrose, Rohan
• Granted Patent: US 9,629,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/534
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices

Abstract

Systems and/or methods for diagnosing sleep disorders in a patient are provided. In certain example embodiments, articles of bed clothing and/or bed sheets comprising sensors operable to obtain patient condition data related to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are provided to patients. The patient condition data is stored to a data recorder operably connected to the sensors. The sensors and the data recorder may communicate wirelessly. The bed clothing (e.g. wearable articles of clothing, bed sheets or mats, pillows, etc.) may have batteries and/or battery fibers disposed therein to power the sensors. In certain example embodiments, a bed sheet may be physically connected to a power supply and/or the data recorder. In certain example embodiments, a bed sheet and articles of bed clothing both may be provided to the patient.

Claims

1. A diagnostic system for use in diagnosing a patient with a sleep disorder, comprising:

at least one item of bed clothing, the at least one item of bed clothing comprising at least one sensor; and

a data recorder in operable communication with the at least one sensor;

wherein the at least one sensor is operable to monitor at least one sleeping disorder related parameter and further operable communicate the at least one sleeping disorder related parameter to the data recorder.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one item of bed clothing further comprises artificial muscle fibers, the artificial muscle fibers being configured to cause the item of bed clothing to contract.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one item of bed clothing further comprises a cinching mechanism configured to cause the item of bed clothing to contract.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power source operable to supply power to the at least one sensor.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a battery mechanism operably connected to the power source, the battery mechanism being configured to warm the patient via heat generated by the battery mechanism.

6. The system of claim 4, further comprising a battery mechanism operably connected to the power source, the battery mechanism comprising fibers woven into the item of bed clothing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sleeping disorder related parameter includes one or more of:

patient orientation, patient movement, heart rate, oxygen saturation level, snore, an apnea and/or hypopnea event, respiratory effort, oximetry, and/or neck muscle tone.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor and the data recorder are operable to communicate via a wireless connection.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the wireless connection is a Bluetooth connection.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pocket formed in the at least one item of bed clothing for receiving the data recorder and/or a battery.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one item of bed clothing is a shirt, and the pocket is formed on a shoulder, arm, chest, and/or back of the shirt.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the data recorder is shaped and/or contoured to fit the patient'"'"'s body.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery, the battery being rechargeable.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a data storage case for receiving the data recorder, the data storage case being operable to recharge the battery.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one item of bed clothing is headgear.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an EEG sensor.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an oximeter configured for connection to an earlobe of the patient.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one item of bed clothing is a glove comprising an oximeter connected to a finger of the patient.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one item of bed clothing is a throat cuff.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one sensor is a vibration sensor operable to detect patient snore.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the throat cuff is operable to measure a muscle tone of the patient'"'"'s neck and/or operable to electrically stimulate the patient'"'"'s throat and/or neck muscles in response to a collapse of the patient'"'"'s airway and/or patient snore.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one item of bed clothing comprises two or more articles of bed clothing.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising an exchange mechanism operable to allow power and/or data to flow between the two or more articles of bed clothing.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the exchange mechanism comprises a fastener engageably connecting the two or more articles of bed clothing.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the two or more articles of bed clothing comprises a shirt and pants.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the data recorder is located remote from the at least one item of bed clothing.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one item of bed clothing is pants, and the pouch is formed at an ankle of the pants.

28. The system of claim 1, further comprising a watch operable to cause the diagnostic system to start and/or stop monitoring data.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one item of bed clothing is a bed sheet or mat.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the bed or mat sheet is configured to supply power to the at least one sensor included in a second item of bed clothing via at least one contact between the bed sheet or mat and the second item of bed clothing.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the second item of bed clothing comprises a plurality of contacts disposed on a plurality of sides of the second item of bed clothing.

32. The system of claim 29, further comprising an operable connection between the bed sheet and a power source and/or the data recorder, the operable connection being a physical connection.

33. The system of claim 29, further comprising an operable connection between the bed sheet and the data recorder, the operable connection being a wireless connection.

34. The system of claim 22, wherein a second item of bed clothing is configured to communicate at least one sleeping disorder related parameter from the at least one sensor in the second item of bed clothing to the data recorder via a bed sheet or mat.

35. The system of claim 1, further comprising a flow generator operable to provide a supply of pressurized breathable gas to the patient.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the flow generator is further operable to adjust the supply of pressurized breathable gas in response to one or more signals generated by the at least one sensor.

37. A method for diagnosing a patient with a sleep disorder, the method comprising:

providing at least one item of bed clothing to the patient, the at least one item of bed clothing comprising at least one sensor;

generating a signal corresponding to at least one sleeping disorder related parameter of the patient via the at least one sensor; and

,

recording the signal onto a data recorder.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising contracting the at least one item of bed clothing to cause the at least one item of bed clothing to more closely fit the patient.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

providing at least two items of bed clothing; and

exchanging the signal and/or power between the at least two items of bed clothing.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising placing the at least one item of bed clothing under the patient, the at least one item of bed clothing being a bed sheet.

41. The method of claim 37, further comprising providing a supply of pressurized breathable gas to the patient.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising adjusting the supply of breathable gas in response to the signal.

43. A system for diagnosing a patient with a sleep disorder, comprising:

at least one item of bed clothing for the patient, the at least one item of bed clothing comprising at least one sensor;

means for generating a signal corresponding to at least one sleeping disorder related parameter of the patient; and

,

means for recording the signal onto a data recorder.