System and method for slow wave sleep detection

A method for detecting slow wave sleep in a subject during a sleep session with a detection system, the detection system comprising one or more sensors and one or more physical computer processors, the method comprising:

• generating, with the one or more sensors, output signals conveying:
• information related to one or more of cardiac activity of the subject or respiratory activity of the subject;
• and
• polysomnography information related to the subject;
• determining, with the one or more physical computer processors, one or more cardiorespiratory parameters of the subject over time during the sleep session based on the output signals, the cardiorespiratory parameters including one or more parameters related to the cardiac activity of the subject and/or the respiratory activity of the subject;
• determining, with the one or more physical computer processors, one or more polysomnography parameters of the subject over time during the sleep session based on the output signals, wherein the one or more polysomnography parameters include heart rhythm (ECG and/or EKG), eye movement (EOG), or skeletal muscle activation (EMG) parameters;
• detecting, with the one or more physical computer processors, changes in the cardiorespiratory parameters over time that are indicative of onset of slow wave sleep in the subject;
• predicting, with the one or more physical computer processors, an upcoming onset time of slow wave sleep in the subject based on the detected changes in the cardiorespiratory parameters;
• and
• detecting, with the one or more physical computer processors, slow wave sleep in the subject based on the predicted onset time and the polysomnography parameters, wherein the detecting is more sensitive during a period of time following the predicted onset time.

A system for detecting slow wave sleep in a subject during a sleep session, the system comprising:

• means for generating output signals conveying:
• information related to one or more of cardiac activity of the subject or respiratory activity of the subject;
• and
• polysomnography information related to the subject;
• means for determining one or more cardiorespiratory parameters of the subject over time during the sleep session based on the output signals, the cardiorespiratory parameters including one or more parameters related to the cardiac activity of the subject and/or the respiratory activity of the subject;
• means for determining one or more polysomnography parameters of the subject over time during the sleep session based on the output signals;
• means for detecting changes in the cardiorespiratory parameters over time that are indicative of onset of slow wave sleep in the subject, wherein the one or more polysomnography parameters include heart rhythm (ECG and/or EKG), eye movement (EOG), or skeletal muscle activation (EMG) parameters;
• means for predicting an upcoming onset time of slow wave sleep in the subject based on the detected changes in the cardiorespiratory parameters;
• and
• means for detecting slow wave sleep in the subject based on the predicted onset time and the polysomnography parameters, wherein the detecting is more sensitive during a period of time following the predicted onset time.