Patent ID: 7559903
Filing Date: 2009-07-14
Classification: A61B,G16H

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for use in analysis of breathing of a patient during sleep for detection of apnea comprising: a microphone arranged to be located on the patient for detecting breathing sounds; a transmitter at the patient for transmitting signals from the breathing sounds to a remote location; a detector module for receiving and analyzing the signals to extract data relating to the breathing; the detector module being arranged to analyze the signals to generate an estimate of air flow while extracting extraneous sounds related to snoring or heart; the detector module being arranged to analyze the estimate of air flow to detect periods of apnea or hypopnea; and a display of the detected apnea or hypopnea episodes and related information for a clinician; wherein the detector module is arranged to generate an estimate of air flow during breathing by calculating a function representing the range of the signals which is defined as the log of the difference between minimum and maximum of the signal within each window of data.