Abstract:
A method for treating sleeping disorders comprising injecting air into a sealed chamber while a patient sleeps in order to increase the pressure within the chamber to about 0.01 inches of water column above ambient atmospheric pressure.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/498,714, filed on Aug. 29, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates in general to methods or systems used to aid in the treatment of sleeping disorders.  
         [0003]     Sleeping disorders are related, in part, to the stress exerted upon the body by gravity, which is approximately 15 pounds per square inch. The pressure applied by gravity may cause blood vessels or arteries to constrict, reducing the ability of organs to function as a result of blood supply thereto. The body will respond by causing the vessels to dilate to create a level of equilibrium between the outside pressure applied and that being exerted by the internal pressure of the body.  
         [0004]     During sleep, an aging or poorly conditioned body may react to the force of gravity by implementing certain fail-safe mechanisms because other organs, including blood vessels and arteries, are not capable of appropriately responding. One such mechanism is deeper breathing/snoring. Another fail-safe mechanism is sudden consciousness (waking) or restlessness (insomnia) implemented for the purpose of recruiting a stronger response from the organs than is typical during sleep.  
         [0005]     The present invention utilizes a sleeping chamber in which air is introduced into a chamber to increase the pressure within the chamber as compared to ambient atmospheric pressure. The present invention is similar in some respects to a hyperbaric chamber, which utilizes increased pressure ranges to treat a variety of illnesses. However, hyperbaric chambers have not been used to treat sleeping disorders. In addition, hyperbaric chambers typically require introduction of compressed air and oxygen under pressure.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention for a method comprises introducing ambient air into an enclosed chamber in which a person may sleep and increasing the pressure within the chamber above ambient atmospheric pressure. The term ambient atmosphere as used in this disclosure means the atmosphere outside the chamber. A chamber in which a mattress is supported may implement the method. An air supply source is in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber, for introducing ambient air that is preferably not under pressure or compressed, into the chamber. The flow of air into the chamber increases the pressure to a predetermined pressure range above atmospheric pressure with respect to the air ambient to the chamber. The pressure is preferably increased from about 0.1 inches water column to about 1 inch of water. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the system.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is front elevational view of the system.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a partial sectional view of the interior of the system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The system for treatment of sleeping disorders generally includes a mattress that is supported and enclosed within a sealed chamber. An exemplary embodiment of the system is shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 . The system comprises the mattress  11 , which should be sufficiently large to accommodate a human body. A chamber  12  includes a substantially planar bottom  13  that supports the mattress  11 . A top portion  14  is secured in air-sealed relation to the bottom  13 . The top portion  14  includes a door  15  that is retractable from an open to closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , so a user may climb into, and out of, the chamber  11 . The door  15  shown in the  FIGS. 1 through 3  is a panel that slides on a tracks between a closed an open position. The door  15  is in a retracted open position to illustrate the interior of the chamber.  
         [0011]     The chamber  12  may be constructed of sufficiently durable and light material, including wood, aluminum or plastic, for example. The chamber  12  preferably includes one or more transparent panels. The transparent panels may be constructed of a durable transparent material such as glass, Plexiglas or acrylic. Connections between different panels or parts of the chamber  12  should be sufficiently sealed to prevent air leakage into and from the chamber  12  in order to maintain a predetermined pressure or range of pressures within the chamber  12 , above ambient atmospheric pressure. In as much as the door  15  may be opened or closed, sealing strips (not shown) along the door edges may seal the chamber  12 . The sealing strips may include typical sealing material comprising plastic, rubber or vinyl.  
         [0012]     An air supply system  16  is mounted to the chamber  12  to supply a flow of air into the chamber  11  to increase the air pressure within the chamber  12  to about or within a predetermined range slightly above atmospheric pressure with respect to the chamber. For example the pressure within the chamber  12  may be increased by approximately 0.1 inches water column to one inch water column above ambient atmospheric pressure. The air supply system  16  may include a blower that runs at 3010 rpms and discharges air at a rate of 25 cubic feet per minute for a 90 cubic foot chamber  12 .  
         [0013]     With respect to  FIG. 3 , the fluid communication of air supply source  16  with the interior of the chamber  12  is shown in more detail. The chamber has a head end  12 A and a foot end  12 B. The head  12 A of the chamber  12  includes a case  17  having an instrument panel  18  including one or more switches  19  for activating and deactivating the air supply source  16 , a pressure gauge  20  and control dial  21  for controlling the pressure within the chamber  12 .  
         [0014]     A duct  22  connects the air supply source  16  to the interior of the case  17 . More specifically, the duct  22  is in fluid communication with a first conduit  23  vertically disposed within the case. The first conduit  23  is in fluid communication with a second conduit  24  that is horizontally disposed within the chamber  11 . A vent  25 , disposed toward the foot  12 B of the chamber  12  allows for the introduction of airflow from the air supply source  16  into the chamber  12 .  
         [0015]     A pressure gauge sensor  20  and control dial  21  are used to regulate the pressure increase within the chamber  12 . The gauge  20  detects and displays the pressure increase within the interior of the chamber  12 . The invention is not limited to any particular pressure gauges other than the gauge must be sensitive enough to detect slight changes in pressure within the chamber. Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand which type sensors and gauges are available and work. The gauge  20  may include a mechanical or digital reading in acceptable pressure measurements i.e., inches water column, pounds per square inch or atmospheres.  
         [0016]     A second vent  27  is mounted in the chamber  12  toward the head  12 A of the chamber  12  in order to exhaust air from the interior of the chamber  12 . In this manner, air introduced into the chamber  12  through the first vent  25  flows through the chamber  12  and may be exhausted from the chamber through the second vent  27 . Although, air is discharged through the second vent  27 , the air supply source  16  introduces air into the chamber  12  at a sufficient rate and volume to maintain the desired pressure increase.  
         [0017]     The control dial  21  is operatively connected to at least one relief valve  28  mounted to the chamber  12  to release air from the interior of the chamber continuously or intermittently, at such a rate to maintain the pressure increase desired. The relief valve  28  may be a 1½-inch variable relief valve that is set to release internal pressure to maintain the internal pressure chamber within a desired or predetermined range of pressure increase. Air is preferably directed to line  29 , to which the relief valve  28  is connected.  
         [0018]     In use, a patient will activate the air supply source  16  using switches  19 . Once the desired pressure increase is maintained using the gauge  20  and control dial  21 , the patient opens the door  15 , enters the chamber  12  and closes door  15 . A slight pressure drop will occur when the door  15  is opened, but the pressure will quickly increase to the desired level after the door is shut. When the patient awaits and exits the chamber  12 , the air supply source is deactivated. The setting on the control dial  21  should be maintained so minimal, if any, adjustment is required for later use. The amount of pressure increase may depend on a particular individual using the system. It is anticipated, however, the optimal pressure increase for most individuals will be in the range of about 0.1 inches water column to about one inch water column, or any equivalent measurement of air pressure in pounds per square inch or atmospheres for example.  
         [0019]     While the invention has been described in what is presently considered to be a preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the specific illustrative embodiment, but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims.