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Publication Number
US-11160495-B2
Publication Date
2021-11-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to a sleep apnea monitoring system for monitoring the sleeping state of a user by means of impedance tomographic image information about the properties of biological tissue and biological signals of the user's body parts to be monitored. The present invention can be manufactured into a very simple portable device and thus enables monitoring during natural sleep at home. Therefore, the present invention enables utilization of obtained information during a sleeping state for diagnosis of and therapeutic plans for sleep apnea.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a portable sleep apnea monitoring system that uses electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to measure impedance data on air distribution in the lungs and output impedance tomographic image information about properties of biological tissue of the chest. An EIT electrode unit includes a plurality of EIT electrodes to be attached to a surface of a chest of a user to measure the impedance data.
A sleep monitoring device monitors a sleeping state of the user based on respiratory volume obtained from the output impedance tomographic image information and a sensed biosignal. The system further includes a sensing unit to sense biosignals in contact with a measurement target part of the user, and a biosignal analyzer analyzes a biosignal including at least one of blood oxygen saturation, sound, position, and ECG.
The sensing unit comprises at least one of a sound detecting sensor for breathing, snoring, crying, and talking in sleep, a blood oxygen saturation measuring sensor for an arterial blood oxygen saturation signal in the sleeping state, an electrocardiogram (ECG) measuring sensor for the ECG in the sleeping state, and a position measuring sensor configured to detect changes in sleeping position in response to lying while sleeping versus sitting or standing while being awake. A sleeping state detector detects a sleeping state of the user based on respiratory volume obtained from the output impedance tomographic image information and the analyzed biosignal, and a controller controls diagnosis information with respect to the detected sleeping state to be provided to the user.
Claims Coverage
The provided text includes two independent claims. Both claims share the core EIT-based generation of impedance tomographic image information of chest tissue from impedance data on air distribution in the lungs and the use of respiratory volume derived from that information together with sensed or analyzed biosignals to detect a sleeping state; one independent claim additionally specifies biosignal analysis and provision of diagnosis information for the detected sleeping state.
EIT electrode unit imaging chest air distribution into impedance tomographic image information
An electrical impedance tomography (EIT) electrode unit including a plurality of EIT electrodes attached to a surface of a chest of a user to measure impedance data on air distribution in lungs, and output impedance tomographic image information about properties of biological tissue of the chest based on the measured impedance data.
Sleeping state monitoring from respiratory volume obtained from impedance tomographic image information plus sensed biosignal
A sleep monitoring device or sleeping state detector configured to monitor or detect a sleeping state of the user based on respiratory volume obtained from the output impedance tomographic image information and the sensed biosignal.
Multi-modal sensing unit including sound, blood oxygen saturation, ECG, and position sensors
A sensing unit that senses biosignals and comprises at least one of a sound detecting sensor configured to sense a sound of at least one of breathing, snoring, crying and talking in sleep, a blood oxygen saturation measuring sensor configured to measure blood oxygen saturation in arterial blood when the user is in the sleeping state, an ECG measuring sensor configured to measure the ECG when the user is in the sleeping state, and a position measuring sensor configured to detect a change in position in response to lying while sleeping versus sitting or standing while being awake.
Biosignal analyzer and controller providing diagnosis information for detected sleeping state
A biosignal analyzer configured to analyze a biosignal including at least one of blood oxygen saturation, sound, position, and ECG, and a controller configured to control diagnosis information with respect to the detected sleeping state of the user to be provided to the user.
Across the two independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on EIT electrode measurements of chest air distribution to generate impedance tomographic image information, and then using respiratory volume from that image information together with multi-modal biosignals to detect a sleeping state and support diagnosis information provision.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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