Patent ID: 8398555

Claim:
A system, comprising: a processing device configured to: calculate an output value of breathes per minute for a data segment based on signals of an airflow channel, a chest channel, and/or an abdomen channel and/or combinations thereof; calculate a baseline value for each of the airflow channel, the chest channel, and the abdomen channel based at least in part upon the output value of breathes per minute and a measure of the magnitude of the corresponding signal; determine whether a reduction in airflow above a minimum reduction level relative to the baseline value for the airflow channel has been maintained for a period of time and identify a reduction in airflow event if the reduction in airflow is above the minimum reduction level; determine if the reduction in airflow event is qualified by determining whether a specified amount of change has occurred in the chest channel or the abdomen channel during a window of time including the reduction in airflow event; and provide an indication of ventilatory instability if the reduction in airflow event is identified and qualified.