Real-time monitoring, regulating and controlling method and system for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder

Abstract

The invention discloses a rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder real-time monitoring and regulation method and system, and the method comprises the following steps: S1, wearing a multi-mode signal collector on the forehead of a subject, and collecting multi-mode signals, including EEG signals, EOG signals and EMG signals, during the sleep period of the subject; s2, processing the EEG signal and the EOG signal through a sleep staging algorithm to obtain a sleep staging result, and extracting an average absolute amplitude according to the EMG signal; and S3, performing RBD detection according to the sleep staging result and the average absolute amplitude, and intervening the brainstem pathway by adopting a TI stimulation mode in response to the RBD detection as the REM period. On-line real-time RBD monitoring is achieved, a forehead attaching wearing mode is adopted, an RBD patient can complete sleep staging and RBD detection without entering a hospital, high efficiency and rapidness are achieved, portability and user friendliness are improved, and a non-medicine treatment mode is provided for the RBD patient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of intelligent medical instruments, and specifically relates to a real-time monitoring and regulation method and system for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. Background Art

[0002] REM behavior disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder in which patients exhibit abnormal body movements when entering rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Normally, people experience a state called muscle relaxation (or atonia) during REM sleep, which means that although the brain is highly active in dreams, the body's muscles are almost paralyzed to prevent the actions in dreams. But in RBD patients, this mechanism fails, causing them to make physical movements while dreaming, and even potentially dangerous behaviors.

[0003] RBD often coexists with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and multiple system atrophy. Many people with these diseases will show RBD symptoms early or during the course of the disease. Studies have shown that RBD may be caused by lesions or damage to the brainstem pathways that regulate REM sleep. Under normal circumstances, the brainstem inhibits the motor neurons of the spinal cord to prevent the body from moving in dreams. This process is mediated by glutamatergic, GABAergic, and glycinergic neurons, and the main functional areas are located in the subcoeruleus nucleus of the midbrain-pontine tegmental area and the ventral medial reticular formation of the medulla oblongata.

[0004] Temporal interference (TI) stimulation is a new, non-invasive neurostimulation technique that uses two high-frequency currents of different frequencies (such as 2000Hz and 2010Hz) applied from the scalp through electrodes. These two high-frequency currents themselves will not trigger a response in the brain or neurons because their frequencies are too high and exceed the range that neurons can respond to. When these high-frequency currents intersect at a specific location in the brain, they form a low-frequency interference signal. This low-frequency interference wave can effectively stimulate neurons because neurons are sensitive to electrical signals in this frequency range. Compared with traditional neurostimulation techniques (such as transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS or transcranial direct current stimulation tDCS), TI stimulation can stimulate deep brain structures more accurately in a non-invasive way without affecting the surface or surrounding areas of the brain.

[0005] The diagnosis of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder requires the use of video polysomnography (PSG) and the assistance of a trained doctor, and a single test takes too long. In daily life, RBD patients may injure themselves or their companions due to body movements in sleep, so real-time and immediate RBD monitoring is very important. Therefore, we proposed a multimodal RBD monitoring device to determine the occurrence of REM sleep and RSWA (REM sleep without atonia) based on the characteristics of electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG) and electromyogram (EMG).

[0006] At present, RBD is mostly treated clinically by drugs, and clonazepam and melatonin are relatively reliable drugs. Clonazepam is used to inhibit muscle activity in REM sleep in patients with RBD. It is effective in 80-90% of patients, but may cause side effects such as drowsiness, cognitive impairment, and movement disorders, especially in elderly patients. Melatonin, a natural hormone, helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle and is usually used to reduce RBD-related dream behavior. Melatonin has mild side effects and can effectively control abnormal behavior at night. It is particularly suitable for patients who cannot tolerate benzodiazepines (such as clonazepam). However, drug treatment is slow and accompanied by side effects. Some current immediate intervention methods such as alarms are not friendly to patients and their companions. Here, the present invention uses a time domain interference (TI) stimulation method to stimulate the brainstem area (the subcoeruleus nucleus of the midbrain-pons tegmental area and the ventral medial reticular formation of the medulla oblongata) to inhibit the activity of spinal motor neurons and prevent the generation of abnormal muscle activity during the REM period. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, a real-time monitoring and regulation method and system for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder provided by the present invention provides a non-drug treatment for RBD patients, solving the problem that the current treatment of RBD uses immediate intervention, which brings an unfriendly experience to RBD patients and their companions.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the invention, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a method for real-time monitoring and regulation of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, the method comprising the following steps:

[0009] S1. Wearing a multimodal signal collector on the forehead of the subject, collecting multimodal signals during the subject's sleep, including EEG signals, EOG signals and EMG signals;

[0010] S2, processing the EEG signal and the EOG signal by a sleep staging algorithm to obtain a sleep staging result, and extracting the average absolute amplitude according to the EMG signal;

[0011] S3. Perform RBD detection based on the sleep staging results and the average absolute amplitude. In response to the RBD detection being REM stage, use TI stimulation to intervene in the brainstem pathway.

[0012] Further: In S2, the method for processing the EEG signal and the EOG signal by the sleep staging algorithm comprises the following steps:

[0013] S21, preprocessing the EEG signal and the EOG signal by bandpass filtering, resampling, and short-time Fourier transform in sequence to obtain a compressed feature set;

[0014] S22, inputting the compressed feature set into the pre-trained model to obtain a sleep staging result;

[0015] Among them, the pre-trained model uses cloud computing technology to perform feature matching based on a preset sleep data set and determines the sleep staging results based on feature similarity.

[0016] Further: S3 is specifically:

[0017] RBD detection is performed based on the sleep staging results and the average absolute amplitude. If the RBD detection result is non-REM stage, the baseline threshold is set according to the average absolute amplitude for baseline calibration. If the RBD detection result is REM stage, in response to the average absolute amplitude being higher than the baseline threshold, TI stimulation is used to intervene in the brainstem pathway.

[0018] Further: In S3, the method of intervening the brainstem pathway by TI stimulation is specifically:

[0019] Positive and negative electrode points are attached to the mastoid processes behind the left and right ears through soft glue, and high-frequency current stimulation is implemented in the form of left and right crosses. The electric fields formed by the two high-frequency currents intersect in the brainstem area, forming a difference frequency envelope to stimulate the brainstem pathway, thereby inhibiting the activity of spinal motor neurons and reducing abnormal muscle activity.

[0020] The beneficial effect of the above further scheme is: by adjusting the intersection of electrode sites and stimulation parameters, the electric field formed by the two high-frequency currents intersects in the brainstem area, forming an envelope of the difference frequency, thereby stimulating the brainstem pathway to inhibit the activity of spinal motor neurons, reduce abnormal muscle activity, prevent the occurrence of abnormal behavior in the REM period, and realize real-time monitoring and regulation of RBD.

[0021] A rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder real-time monitoring and regulation system is applied to a rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder real-time monitoring and regulation method. The system includes a multimodal signal collector, a Bluetooth module, a processor and a TI stimulator. The Bluetooth module is respectively connected to the multimodal signal collector, the processor and the TI stimulator for communication;

[0022] Among them, the multimodal signal collector is worn on the forehead of the subject, the TI stimulation site of the TI stimulator is located at the mastoid process behind the ear, the multimodal signal collector is used to collect multimodal signals, and send the multimodal signals to the processor via the Bluetooth module. The processor is used to detect whether the subject has RBD during sleep. In response to determining that the subject has RBD during sleep, the control instruction is sent to the TI stimulator via the Bluetooth module. The TI stimulator is used to give high-frequency current stimulation to the subject according to the control instruction.

[0023] Further: the multimodal signal collector includes an EEG sensor, an EOG sensor and an EMG sensor;

[0024] Among them, the EEG sensor is worn on the subject's forehead, the EOG sensor is worn around the subject's eyes, and the EMG sensor is worn on the subject's jaw.

[0025] Furthermore: the TI stimulation site of the TI stimulator includes positive and negative electrode points for high-frequency current stimulation, which are attached to the left and right mastoids behind the ears through soft glue, and the positive and negative electrode points on one of the mastoids behind the ears are configured as multimodal signal reference electrode points.

[0026] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0027] (1) The present invention provides a real-time monitoring and regulation method and system for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, which realizes online real-time RBD monitoring. It adopts a forehead-attached wearing method with integrated functions. RBD patients can complete sleep staging and RBD detection without going to the hospital. It is efficient and fast, improves portability and user-friendliness, and enhances the experience of RBD patients and their companions.

[0028] (2) In addition to RBD monitoring, the system of the present invention also provides immediate TI stimulation after detecting RBD, using a time domain interference stimulation method to stimulate the brainstem area to inhibit the activity of spinal motor neurons, thereby reducing abnormal muscle activity and providing a non-drug treatment method for RBD patients. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 This is a flow chart of a method for real-time monitoring and regulation of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 The figure is a schematic diagram of the algorithm flow adopted by the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of TI stimulation used in the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the real-time monitoring and control system for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder of the present invention Figure 1 .

[0033] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the real-time monitoring and control system for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder of the present invention Figure 2 .

[0034] Figure 6 Flowchart for the system controlling TI stimulation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are described below so that those skilled in the art can understand the present invention. However, it should be clear that the present invention is not limited to the scope of the specific implementation modes. For those of ordinary skill in the art, as long as various changes are within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined and determined by the attached claims, these changes are obvious, and all inventions and creations utilizing the concept of the present invention are protected.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a method for real-time monitoring and regulation of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder comprises the following steps:

[0037] S1. Wearing a multimodal signal collector on the forehead of the subject, collecting multimodal signals during the subject's sleep, including EEG signals, EOG signals and EMG signals;

[0038] S2, processing the EEG signal and the EOG signal by a sleep staging algorithm to obtain a sleep staging result, and extracting the average absolute amplitude according to the EMG signal;

[0039] S3. Perform RBD detection based on the sleep staging results and the average absolute amplitude. In response to the RBD detection being REM stage, use TI stimulation to intervene in the brainstem pathway.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the present invention proposes a real-time monitoring and regulation method for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, which monitors RBD in real time based on multimodal signals to determine whether it is in the REM stage. If the RBD detection result is the REM stage and RBD symptoms appear on the surface, the system automatically applies TI stimulation for intervention to reduce abnormal muscle activity, thereby serving as a non-drug treatment method.

[0041] In S2, the method for processing the EEG signal and the EOG signal by the sleep staging algorithm comprises the following sub-steps:

[0042] S21, preprocessing the EEG signal and the EOG signal by bandpass filtering, resampling, and short-time Fourier transform in sequence to obtain a compressed feature set;

[0043] S22, inputting the compressed feature set into the pre-trained model to obtain a sleep staging result;

[0044] Among them, the pre-trained model uses cloud computing technology to perform feature matching based on a preset sleep data set and determines the sleep staging results based on feature similarity.

[0045] In this embodiment, it should be pointed out that the sleep staging algorithm may be other currently existing and verified sleep staging algorithms, and the preset sleep data set may be obtained from public data sets on the Internet.

[0046] The S3 is specifically:

[0047] RBD detection is performed based on the sleep staging results and the average absolute amplitude. If the RBD detection result is non-REM stage, the baseline threshold is set according to the average absolute amplitude for baseline calibration. If the RBD detection result is REM stage, in response to the average absolute amplitude being higher than the baseline threshold, TI stimulation is used to intervene in the brainstem pathway.

[0048] The TI stimulation time is set according to the specific situation. In this embodiment, the stimulation time is 6 seconds.

[0049] In S3, the method of intervening the brainstem pathway by TI stimulation is specifically as follows:

[0050] Positive and negative electrode points are attached to the mastoid processes behind the left and right ears through soft glue, and high-frequency current stimulation is implemented in the form of left and right crosses. The electric fields formed by the two high-frequency currents intersect in the brainstem area, forming a difference frequency envelope to stimulate the brainstem pathway, thereby inhibiting the activity of spinal motor neurons and reducing abnormal muscle activity.

[0051] like Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, the scheme of the present invention proposes a feasible TI stimulation method. The specific implementation situation is that soft glue is attached to the mastoids behind the left and right ears, and there are positive and negative electrode points for high-frequency current stimulation on the soft glue, one of which has a multimodal signal reference electrode point, and high-frequency current stimulation is implemented in the form of left and right cross. In this embodiment, it is set to 2000Hz\2010Hz. The intersection is adjusted by adjusting the electrode sites and stimulation parameters so that the electric fields formed by the two high-frequency currents intersect in the brainstem area to form a difference frequency envelope, which is set to 10Hz in this embodiment, thereby stimulating the brainstem pathway to inhibit the activity of spinal motor neurons, reduce abnormal muscle activity, prevent the occurrence of abnormal behavior in the REM period, and realize real-time monitoring and regulation of RBD.

[0052] like Figure 4-5 As shown, a real-time monitoring and control system for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder includes a multimodal signal collector, a Bluetooth module, a processor and a TI stimulator, and the Bluetooth module is respectively connected to the multimodal signal collector, the processor and the TI stimulator for communication;

[0053] Among them, the multimodal signal collector is worn on the forehead of the subject, the TI stimulation site of the TI stimulator is located at the mastoid process behind the ear, the multimodal signal collector is used to collect multimodal signals, and send the multimodal signals to the processor via the Bluetooth module. The processor is used to detect whether the subject has RBD during sleep. In response to determining that the subject has RBD during sleep, the control instruction is sent to the TI stimulator via the Bluetooth module. The TI stimulator is used to give high-frequency current stimulation to the subject according to the control instruction.

[0054] The multimodal signal collector includes an EEG sensor, an EOG sensor and an EMG sensor;

[0055] Among them, the EEG sensor is worn on the subject's forehead, the EOG sensor is worn around the subject's eyes, and the EMG sensor is worn on the subject's jaw.

[0056] The TI stimulation site of the TI stimulator includes positive and negative electrode points for high-frequency current stimulation, which are attached to the left and right mastoids behind the ears through soft glue, and the positive and negative electrode points on one of the mastoids behind the ears are configured as multimodal signal reference electrode points.

[0057] In this embodiment, the system is equipped with a multimodal signal collector, which is worn on the forehead and adhered by conductive soft glue. The collected models include but are not limited to two-lead EEG signals, one-lead EOG signal and one-lead EMG signal. The system is also equipped with a TI stimulator, and the TI stimulation site is located at the left and right mastoids behind the ears, and one of the mastoids behind the ears is used as a signal reference site. The multimodal signal of the multimodal signal collector is transmitted to the processor via Bluetooth, and the RBD detection algorithm carried by the processor determines whether RBD occurs, and transmits stimulation instructions to the stimulator to provide TI stimulation. It should be pointed out that the RBD real-time monitoring and control system includes but is not limited to a multimodal signal sensor, an amplifier, a Bluetooth module, a processor, and a TI stimulator. The process of system control TI stimulation is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, after the multimodal signals are collected by the sensor and the amplifier, they are transmitted to the processor via the Bluetooth module. After the processor performs sleep staging and RBD judgment, the control instructions are transmitted to the TI stimulator via the Bluetooth module. The TI stimulator provides high-frequency current stimulation to the patient according to the instructions.

[0058] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: the present invention provides a real-time monitoring and regulation method and system for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, realizes online real-time RBD monitoring, adopts a forehead-attached wearing method, and integrates functions into one. RBD patients can complete sleep staging and RBD detection without entering the hospital. It is efficient and fast, improves portability and user-friendliness, and enhances the experience of RBD patients and their companions.

[0059] In addition to RBD monitoring, the system of the present invention also provides immediate TI stimulation after detecting RBD, using a time domain interference stimulation method to stimulate the brainstem area to inhibit the activity of spinal motor neurons, which is used to reduce abnormal muscle activity, providing a non-drug treatment method for RBD patients.

[0060] In the description of the present invention, it is necessary to understand that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "radial", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance or the number of implicitly specified technical features. Therefore, the features defined by "first", "second", and "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

Claims

1. A method for real-time monitoring and regulation of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: S1. Wearing a multimodal signal collector on the forehead of the subject, collecting multimodal signals during the subject's sleep, including EEG signals, EOG signals and EMG signals; S2, processing the EEG signal and the EOG signal by a sleep staging algorithm to obtain a sleep staging result, and extracting the average absolute amplitude according to the EMG signal; S3. Perform RBD detection based on the sleep staging results and the average absolute amplitude. In response to the RBD detection being REM stage, use TI stimulation to intervene in the brainstem pathway.

2. The method for real-time monitoring and regulation of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder according to claim 1, characterized in that: In S2, the method for processing the EEG signal and the EOG signal by the sleep staging algorithm comprises the following sub-steps: S21, preprocessing the EEG signal and the EOG signal by bandpass filtering, resampling, and short-time Fourier transform in sequence to obtain a compressed feature set; S22, inputting the compressed feature set into the pre-trained model to obtain a sleep staging result; Among them, the pre-trained model uses cloud computing technology to perform feature matching based on a preset sleep data set and determines the sleep staging results based on feature similarity.

3. The method for real-time monitoring and regulation of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The S3 is specifically: RBD detection is performed based on the sleep staging results and the average absolute amplitude. If the RBD detection result is non-REM stage, the baseline threshold is set according to the average absolute amplitude for baseline calibration. If the RBD detection result is REM stage, in response to the average absolute amplitude being higher than the baseline threshold, TI stimulation is used to intervene in the brainstem pathway.

4. The method for real-time monitoring and regulation of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder according to claim 3, characterized in that: In S3, the method of intervening the brainstem pathway by TI stimulation is specifically as follows: Positive and negative electrode points are attached to the mastoid processes behind the left and right ears through soft glue, and high-frequency current stimulation is implemented in the form of left and right crosses. The electric fields formed by the two high-frequency currents intersect in the brainstem area, forming a difference frequency envelope to stimulate the brainstem pathway, thereby inhibiting the activity of spinal motor neurons and reducing abnormal muscle activity.

5. The system for real-time monitoring and regulation of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, applied to a method for real-time monitoring and regulation of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, characterized in that: The system includes a multimodal signal collector, a Bluetooth module, a processor and a TI stimulator, and the Bluetooth module is respectively connected to the multimodal signal collector, the processor and the TI stimulator for communication; Among them, the multimodal signal collector is worn on the forehead of the subject, the TI stimulation site of the TI stimulator is located at the mastoid process behind the ear, the multimodal signal collector is used to collect multimodal signals, and send the multimodal signals to the processor via the Bluetooth module. The processor is used to detect whether the subject has RBD during sleep. In response to determining that the subject has RBD during sleep, the control instruction is sent to the TI stimulator via the Bluetooth module. The TI stimulator is used to give high-frequency current stimulation to the subject according to the control instruction.

6. The rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder real-time monitoring and control system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The multimodal signal collector includes an EEG sensor, an EOG sensor and an EMG sensor; Among them, the EEG sensor is worn on the subject's forehead, the EOG sensor is worn around the subject's eyes, and the EMG sensor is worn on the subject's jaw.

7. The rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder real-time monitoring and control system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The TI stimulation site of the TI stimulator includes positive and negative electrode points for high-frequency current stimulation, which are attached to the left and right mastoids behind the ears through soft glue, and the positive and negative electrode points on one of the mastoids behind the ears are configured as multimodal signal reference electrode points.

Images