Patent ID: 7115097

Claim:
A system for monitoring and regulating air flow to a patient adapted to supply positive airway pressure to a patient mask during treatment of a sleep disorder, comprising: a CPAP generator for providing variable airway pressure; a first sensor for monitoring air flow channeled to the patient from said CPAP generator for generating first and second air flow rate detection signals representing the airflow to the mask and from the mask, respectively; a second sensor for measuring pressure in the air flow, said second sensor detecting a change in pressure at a selected place in said system, said second sensor generating a pressure detection signal upon detection of the change in pressure; a controller unit responsive to said first and second air flow rate detection signals said controller unit having means for interpreting, storing and comparing said first and second air flow and pressure detection signals and providing an outgoing alarm signal when the first air flow signal increases, the second air flow signal decreases and the pressure detection signal decreases; a remotely-controlled transmitter means in communication with said controller unit, said transmitter means generating a transmitter alarm signal in response to said outgoing alarm signal from said controller unit; and alarm generation means selected from the group consisting of a vibration device releasably disposed on the patient's torso, a vibration device releasably attached on the patient's extremity, an audio device movably located proximal to the patient, and a an audio device removably attachable to the patient's head.