The work was presented at an international competition sponsored by the Computers in Cardiology conference, which was held on September 23rd in Boston.
Sleep apnoea is the medical term for when a person ceases breathing during sleep.
After a period without breathing, an automatic reflex kicks in which causes the person to wake momentarily and breathe. This pattern can repeat hundreds or thousands of times a night in severe cases. The effects of prolonged sleep apnoea are serious. The continued interruption of sleep is also associated with depression, irritability, loss of memory, lack of energy, and a higher risk of car and workplace accidents. The current diagnosis of sleep apnoea requires a patient to visit a sleep laboratory for a night's sleep, during which various clinical tests are performed.