Patent ID: 7566310

Claim:
A method of measuring upper airway resistance of a human patient, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining air pressure data from an air pressure data signal corresponding to a plurality of breathing cycles while the human patient is asleep; obtaining air flow data from an air flow data signal corresponding to the plurality of breathing cycles while the human patient is asleep; transferring the air pressure data and the air flow data to a processor; storing the air pressure data and the air flow data in respective correlated storage regions of a matrix program system of the processor; segregating the air pressure data and the air flow data in the matrix program of the processor into corresponding breathing cycles of the human patient; computing normalized air pressure data to achieve a predetermined normalized air pressure value to correspond with a predetermined point for each breathing cycle of the human patient; producing a correlation of the air flow data against normalized air pressure data; curve-fitting onto the correlation of the air flow data against normalized air pressure data a curve corresponding to a predetermined multiple term mathematical function, the predetermined multiple term mathematical function is a three term polynomial function F(P)=AP 3 +BP 2 +CP+D, where A, B, and C are coefficients, and D is a constant; computing the value of the coefficients of the predetermined multiple term mathematical function; computing the derivative of the predetermined multiple term mathematical function; and computing a resistance corresponding to the reciprocal of coefficient C, whereby Resistance=1/ C.