Systems, methods and devices for diagnosing sleep apnea
OwnerChunyuan Qiuinventor
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Abstract
Methods for diagnosing sleep apnea are provided herein. In at least one example, a method may be provided including receiving airway image data from a remote end imaging sensor coupled to a nasal tube disposed within an upper airway above a constriction point, and analyzing the airway image data and displaying in a sleep study report the airway image data to identify airway closures related to obstructive sleep apnea.
Claims20
A method for monitoring an upper airway constriction associated with obstructive sleep apnea, comprising:
- forming a seal between a wall defining an upper airway and a nasal tube disposed within the upper airway, the seal surrounding an outer circumference of the nasal tube,
- flowing air through a first end, a hollow interior, and a second end of the nasal tube, where the second end is opposite the first end of the nasal tube, wherein the first end includes a nose stopper that stabilizes a position of the nasal tube;
- receiving airway image data from an imaging sensor coupled to the second end of the nasal tube disposed within the upper airway, where such airway image data was recorded during a sleep period, and where the imaging sensor is positioned downstream of the seal;
- and
- analyzing the airway image data and displaying in a sleep study report the airway image data to identify airway closures related to obstructive sleep apnea.
A method for monitoring an upper airway constriction associated with obstructive sleep apnea, comprising:
- placing an airway assessing apparatus such that the airway assessing apparatus extends through a nasal cavity and into an upper airway, the airway assessing apparatus including an imaging sensor and biophysical sensors, the imaging sensor facing the upper airway;
- stabilizing a position of the airway assessing apparatus relative to the nasal cavity via a nose stopper;
- inflating a balloon of the airway assessing apparatus to adjust a position of one or more of the imaging sensor and the biophysical sensors, the inflatable balloon surrounding an outer circumference of the airway assessing apparatus, and the inflatable balloon positioned upstream of the imaging sensor;
- forming a seal between the airway assessing apparatus and a wall defining the upper airway via the inflatable balloon;
- flowing air through the airway assessing apparatus;
- recording a baseline measurement of the imaging sensor and the biophysical sensors;
- recording data collected from the imaging sensor and biophysical sensors during a sleep period;
- and
- analyzing the recorded baseline measurement and the recorded data collected from the imaging and biophysical sensors to identify airway closures related to obstructive sleep apnea.
A method for monitoring an upper airway constriction associated with obstructive sleep apnea, comprising:
- positioning a nasal tube so that the nasal tube extends through a nasal cavity and into an upper airway;
- anchoring the nasal tube relative to the nasal cavity via a nose stopper;
- forming a seal between a wall defining the upper airway and the nasal tube disposed within the upper airway, the seal surrounding an outer circumference of the nasal tube;
- flowing air through the nasal tube;
- receiving airway image data from a remote end imaging sensor coupled to the nasal tube disposed within the upper airway, the remote end imaging sensor positioned downstream of the seal, where such airway image data was recorded during a sleep period;
- and
- automatically analyzing the airway image data with pattern matching and pattern recognition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.