Hypnodensity-based sleep apnea monitoring system and method of operation thereof

A sleep monitoring system, comprising:

• at least one sensor configured to sense physiological changes of a subject during a test period having a plurality of epochs and form corresponding sensor information for the plurality of the epochs;
• at least one controller configured to:
• receive the sensor information for the plurality of the epochs during the test period from each of the plurality of sensors;
• derive a hypnodensity profile for each epoch of the plurality of epochs based upon the received sensor information for the plurality of the epochs;
• calculate at least one hypnodensity feature based upon the hypnodensity profile for each epoch of the plurality of epochs;
• form a sleep apnea prediction model based upon the calculated at least one hypnodensity feature;
• determine a presence and/or severity of apnea based upon the sleep apnea prediction model;
• and
• render the results of the determined presence and/or severity of apnea on a rendering device.

A method of monitoring sleep, the method comprising acts of:

• sensing physiological changes of a subject during a test period, the test period having a plurality of epochs and forming corresponding sensor information for the plurality of the epochs;
• receiving the sensor information for the plurality of the epochs during the test period from each of the at least one sensor;
• deriving a hypnodensity profile for each epoch of the plurality of epochs based upon the received sensor information for the plurality of the epochs;
• calculating at least one hypnodensity feature based upon the hypnodensity profile for each epoch of the plurality of epochs;
• determining a composite feature based on the at least one hypnodensity feature over the plurality of epochs;
• comparing the composite feature to a at least one predetermined indicator related to sleep apnea;
• and
• determining a presence and/or severity of apnea based upon the comparison.