Passive apnea monitor
US6375621B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/4818
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The instrument monitors the acoustic and electromechanical signals of the patient and calculates an energy spectrum periodogram or histogram using time series analysis techniques. The patient lies down on a large piezoelectric film (few microns thick) that has the capability of measuring signals from very high to very low frequencies. The heart and respiration rates as well as obstructive apnea can be observed, detected and measured from the spectral peaks in the resulting energy spectrum. A microcomputing machine provides calculations to determine the energy spectrum and provides for discrimination between noise and a true apnea episode. An alarm calls for assistance in the event of an apnea, including obstructive apnea, or a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) episode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.