Methods and apparatus for treating respiratory disorders

A computer processor-readable memory storage apparatus having processor-executable instructions encoded thereon which, when executed by one or more processors, control the one or more processors to perform a method of indicating wakefulness of a patient, the processor-executable instructions comprising:

• instructions to apply, in a wakefulness detector of one or more processors, first and second parallel detection pathways to breath features derived from a signal representing a respiratory flow rate of the patient;
• instructions to assess, in each of the first and second parallel detection pathways, the breath features, wherein the first parallel detection pathway is configured to evaluate variation of the breath features in a short term and wherein the second parallel detection pathway is configured to evaluate variation of the breath features in a long term;
• and
• instructions to generate, from the wakefulness detector of the one or more processors, start events and end events from the evaluations of the first parallel detection pathway and the second parallel detection pathway to produce indications of wakefulness of the patient.

An apparatus comprising:

• a sensor configured to generate a signal representing a property of a flow of air within a patient interface configured to engage with an entrance to an airway of a patient;
• and
• one or more processors configured to receive the signal and further configured to:
• apply, in a wakefulness detector of one or more processors, first and second parallel detection pathways to breath features derived from the signal;
• in each of the first and second parallel detection pathways, assess the breath features, wherein the first parallel detection pathway is configured to evaluate variation of the breath features in a short term and wherein the second parallel detection pathway is configured to evaluate variation of the breath features in a long term;
• and
• generate, from the wakefulness detector of the one or more processors, start events and end events from the evaluations of the first parallel detection pathway and the second parallel detection pathway to produce indications of wakefulness of the patient.