Device and method for monitoring breathing during sleep, control of CPAP treatment, and preventing of apnea

A method of CPAP therapy that substantially reduces the occurrence of obstructed breathing and obstructive apneas comprising the steps of:

• providing nosepiece means for sealed air communication with a patient's respiratory system;
• providing said nosepiece with a straight section through which the patient's respiratory air flows;
• providing one or more sensors in pressure communication with the patient's respiratory system;
• providing pressure drop amplification means in the form of one or more flow restrictor(s) in said straight section of said nosepiece;
• suitably positioning said one or more sensors on or connected to said nosepiece for measuring the pressure on either side of said flow restrictors;
• continuously sensing the patient's breathing patterns using said one or more sensors;
• generating signals corresponding to said breathing patterns by means of said one or more sensors;
• connecting a variable air pressure source to said patient nosepiece by a suitable length of flexible air tubing;
• continuously delivering air to the patient from said variable air pressure source;
• electronically analyzing said signals;
• identifying characteristic abnormal breathing patterns indicative of obstructive breathing which may lead to apnea from said signals;
• increasing the CPAP level delivered to the patient when abnormal breathing patterns are identified to substantially restore normal breathing and to substantially prevent the occurrence of apnea;
• and
• reducing the CPAP level in the absence of breathing patterns indicative of obstructive breathing to a minimum level to maintain unobstructed breathing.