AU2009100465A4 - Termination of sleep event - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for termination of sleep disorder episode by stimulus Description of the invention The invention is related to the field of sleep disorders control. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring lead to tiredness, memory loss, increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Usually these disorders occur in multiple periodic episodes during night sleep. Available medical aids to combat sleep disorders include operations of the throat, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines that pump air into lungs when breathing stops and special custom made mouth inserts that prevent jaws to be closed during sleep thus providing path for airflow. CPAP machines typically use a mask that connected via air hose to the apparatus that senses when the breathing stops by analysis of air flow to and from the user. Typically they use pressure sensors or spirometers for that analysis. Also, sleep apnea episode or snoring can be detected by analysis of amplified and processed audio sounds. Methods of detection of sleep apnea episodes are well known within the art. Many users find mask of CPAP machine claustrophobic and easily displaced from its intended position during sleep which results in not very high reliability of this method. Some users of CPAP machines stop using them because connected mask makes their sleep even more uncomfortable than without machine. Mouth inserts sometimes deform jaw joints in such a way that the users can not chew properly after use of such insert. All described above methods are very expensive (thousands of dollars) for the end user. It is an object of the present invention to provide method and low cost apparatus that for termination of sleep disorder event by mechanical or electrical stimulus and which is comfortable to use during night sleep. In the preferred embodiment of the invention an apparatus for termination of sleep apnea or snoring by generating mechanical or electrical stimulus is described. Referring to Fig.1, position of apparatus 1, held with the aid of fabric harness 2 on the user's chest is shown. Length of the harness can be adjusted for comfortable night sleep. Dimensions and weight of the apparatus can be similar to those of modem mobile telephones. Before sleep the user depresses button 3 (Fig. 1) to turn apparatus on. Referring to Fig. 2a and 2b, functional block diagram of apparatus for termination of sleep disorder episode is shown. The apparatus is turned on or off by depressing the button. When apparatus is turned on, central processing unit (CPU) supplies power to the sensor circuitry that includes microphone, amplifier, filters and signal conditioning. During monitoring CPU receives conditioned audio signal for analysis. The CPU detects silence as an indication of apnea event or excessive sound level in low frequency band as an indication of snoring. When sleep disorder event is detected, the apparatus sends a command to generate stimulus to the generator. After Description 1 completion of the stimulus the apparatus listens audio sounds again. If sleep disorder episode is not terminated and the user has not started to breath again or has not stopped snoring, apparatus generates another stimulus this time of longer duration. This process is repeated with duration of the stimulus increased every time until the episode is terminated. The CPU remembers duration of the last successful stimulus. When a new episode is detected, duration of generated stimulus is equal to the last successful stimulus that makes process of termination of sleep disorder episode optimal with minimal energy delivered. In other words, the apparatus simulates a gentle touch of a loving spouse not completely waking up the user but distracting sleep disorder episode. Referring to Fig. 2a, functional block diagram of apparatus for termination of sleep disorder episode with mechanical stimulus is shown. Output of generator is connected to the electrical vibrator, similar to that used in modem mobile telephones to indicate incoming call. Vibrator is positioned within plastic housing. Frequency and amplitude of vibration can be adjusted by varying voltage applied to the vibrator or selecting vibrator with desirable parameters. Referring to Fig. 2b, functional block diagram of apparatus for termination of sleep disorder episode with electrical stimulus is shown. Output of the generator is connected via two cables to the surface skin electrodes that are attached to the user's body as shown. The generator emits electrical stimulus similar to electrical pulses used in Novocain physiotherapy treatment devices or electronic muscle exercise machines. These pulses are not painful, but they can terminate sleep disorder event. Duration and amplitude these pulses can be adjusted for most effective operation. Similarity of mechanical stimulus and electric stimulus in termination of sleep disorder event is apparent. Both stimuli initially produced in form of electric pulse. All technical aspects of the present invention are well known within electronics design and methods of detection of sleep disorders fields. Company: AND Technologies Pty Ltd Date: 18.05.09 Applicant: Vladimir Jankov Description 2

Claims (5)

1. Apparatus for termination of sleep disorder episode comprised of central processing unit (CPU), sensor to assess breathing activity and generator of mechanical or generator of electric stimulus that are enclosed in a plastic housing;

2. Said plastic housing of claim 1 is attached to the fabric harness, those length can be adjusted to hold said plastic housing on the user's chest;

3. Method that uses said CPU, said sensor and said generator that attached to the user's chest where CPU analyses signals from the sensor, detects snoring or sleep apnea episode and generates electric pulse to produce stimulus to terminate sleep disorder episode.

4. Apparatus of claim 1 where said generator of mechanical stimulus is implemented in form of electrical vibrator enclosed within plastic housing;

5. Apparatus of claim 1 where said generator of electrical stimulus, which is applied to the skin of the user, is connected via two cables to the surface electrodes that are attached to the user's skin.