Alarm upon detection of impending sleep state
US6497658B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 24, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2230/60
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention monitors a physiological process intrinsic to humans and which measures directly the approach of a sleep state. When sleep onset is detected, the subject is restored to a fully awake state by an alert mechanism. Sleep onset is determined by monitoring EEG and EMG signals of the subject with a bispectral index monitor and applying an analysis algorithm to the index values output by the monitor. As a person tires, the value of their bispectral index begins to drop and then oscillate back and forth between two discrete levels. This pattern is consistent among various subjects and indicates an early warning of impending sleep, before a dangerous loss of vigilance has occurred.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.