Sleep apnea detector system
US6062216A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V40/20
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apnea monitor and system for treatment includes a detector in a fixed console that projects a detection beam at a sleep surface. The detection beam is reflected off a patient on the surface and return light is analyzed to develop a signal which varies with external motion of the patient's upper body. The motion signals are then fed to a pattern recognizer which identifies breath signals and analyzes them to detect cessation or excessive pauses in breathing, and trigger an alarm or intervention to restore breathing regularity. The monitor includes a laser for generating radiation. The radiation is reflected from the patient and is directed onto a detector. The detector produces output signals corresponding to the impinging reflected light, which are processed by a control element to determine the change of movement, e.g., the breathing rate, of the patient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.