Device and method for determining sleep apnea

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for determining the severity of sleep apnea using electroencephalography and electromyography, the device comprising a headgear (10; 110) having a head portion (12; 112) covering at least the locations of the patient's head where the electroencephalography measurement points C3 and C4 are located, and a chin portion (14; 114). The head portion (12; 112) has two electrodes (16; 116) for sensing the electroencephalography EEG signals at the electroencephalography points C3 and C4, and the chin portion (14; 114) has at least one electrode (18; 118) for sensing the electromyography EMG signals at the chin.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for determining sleep apnea, and in particular to a device for automatically determining sleep apnea, and a method for determining sleep apnea using such a device. [Background technology]

[0002] Sleep apnea is a nocturnal breathing disorder characterized by repeated long or partial cessations of breathing. A long or partial cessation of breathing is defined as a cessation or partial cessation of breathing lasting longer than 10 seconds. Short pauses in breathing lasting less than 10 seconds are not usually considered harmful. However, if pauses or partial cessations of breathing occur more than five times per hour during sleep, they can have serious health consequences.

[0003] The severity of sleep apnea, or obstructive sleep apnea, is usually determined in a sleep laboratory using a cardiac polysomnogram. Severity is currently divided into three severity groups:

[0004] Using known methods, hypopnea (partial pauses in breathing) or apnea (complete pauses in breathing) are detected during sleep using a respiratory flow sensor, two piezoelectric stretch belts around the chest and abdomen, and a pulse oximeter to determine arterial oxygen saturation in the blood. Furthermore, brain waves are recorded by electroencephalography (EEG), and eye movements are recorded by electronystagmography (EOG). Finally, muscle tone in the jaw region is also monitored using adhesive electrodes attached to the jaw.

[0005] Measurement of respiratory flow using a respiratory flow sensor may involve measuring dynamic nasal pressure using a nasal cannula and / or measuring oral respiratory flow using an oral thermistor.

[0006] A number of electrodes placed on the patient's head are required to determine brain waves by electroencephalography, which is used to distinguish between sleep and wake stages during the night (or during recording) in order to classify sleep stages and therefore sleep architecture, as well as to sense breathing, motor muscles, and physiological arousal responses, so-called wakefulness, within the sleep stages.

[0007] Many of the sensors used significantly disrupt the test subject's sleep, raising the question of whether measurements obtained in a sleep laboratory are representative of sleep at home or in a familiar environment. For this reason, measurements are sometimes performed on two consecutive nights.

[0008] Due to the large amount of measurement data that is sensed, the evaluation of the respiratory events themselves takes a relatively long time even when using automatic evaluation. Previously known automatic evaluations do not operate without errors, so an expert is usually required to check the evaluation. This check, which in the worst case scenario may result in a completely visual evaluation, is very time-consuming. Therefore, reliable classification of respiratory events in detected sleep apnea is currently not possible without the help of an expert.

[0009] Because reliable determination of sleep apnea pauses or partial pauses in breathing is currently still very time-consuming, sleep apnea pauses or partial pauses in breathing are often diagnosed late, and so people only receive medical help much later. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for automatically determining a person's sleep apnea status, which is less disruptive to the patient's sleep than previously known devices. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method that allows reliable and automatic detection of a sleep apnea status in a simple manner, which method can also determine the severity of any sleep apnea found.

[0011] Finally, it is a goal of the present invention to provide devices and methods for treating the cessation or partial cessation of breathing associated with sleep apnea. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention is based on the finding that coherence between electroencephalography and electromyography signals allows for indication of the state of sleep apnea, and in particular the severity of sleep apnea.

[0013] In particular, the invention is based on the finding that the coherence of the EEG signal at electroencephalography points C3 and C4 and the muscle tone in the jaw makes it possible to classify the severity of a person's sleep apnea.

[0014] Thus, the device of the present invention for determining the severity of sleep apnea utilizes electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG), which can be used to determine muscle tone.

[0015] The device itself comprises a headgear having a head portion covering the patient's head at least at the electroencephalography measurement points C3 and C4, and a chin portion, the head portion having two electrodes at the electroencephalography points C3 and C4 for sensing EEG signals, and the chin portion having at least one electrode at the chin for sensing EMG signals for electromyography.

[0016] The device utilizes only electroencephalography and electromyography measurement signals, allowing the device for determining sleep apnea to have a significantly simpler configuration.

[0017] In particular, it is possible to do without a respiratory flow sensor. The previously required piezoelectric stretch belts around the chest and abdomen and the pulse oximeter for determining arterial oxygen saturation in the blood are no longer necessary. It should be understood that if it is necessary to sense arterial oxygen saturation in the blood, the device for determining sleep apnea can be combined with these measuring devices.

[0018] The electrodes for sensing EEG signals and at least one electrode for sensing EMG signals are measurement electrodes. Thus, the number of measurement electrodes required for electroencephalography is reduced to a minimum. Only three, or if necessary, four measurement electrodes are present in total, which are required to perform measurements to determine sleep apnea and the severity of sleep apnea, as will be shown below. Specifically, two electrodes are required for sensing EEG signals for electroencephalography, preferably at electroencephalography points C3 and C4, and two electrodes are required for sensing EMG signals for electromyography at the jaw.

[0019] The headgear, in which the head portion and the chin portion are integrally connected to each other, is relatively easy to put on, so that the sleeping conditions during the test are not significantly different from those in a general environment.

[0020] Reference and ground electrodes are preferably provided to reliably and accurately sense EEG signals associated with electroencephalography, and the headgear preferably also covers the points at which the reference and ground electrodes are used on the patient.

[0021] In one preferred embodiment, at least one electrode is securely integrated into the headgear, such that at least one electrode does not accidentally become detached from the cap during overnight testing. It should be appreciated that all of the electrodes can be securely integrated into the headgear, ensuring that the electrodes do not accidentally become detached during sleep.

[0022] Sleep apnea can be particularly well identified if two electrodes are provided for sensing EMG signals. Each of these electrodes senses muscle tension in the left and right jaws of the patient's face. For this reason, it is advantageous for the headgear to have a first half, a second half, and a longitudinal axis separating the first and second halves from each other. Two electrodes for sensing EMG signals are provided, one located on each half of the headgear. In one preferred embodiment, the two electrodes are positioned symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis to obtain two comparable measurement signals.

[0023] In order to minimize the sleep disturbance to the patient caused by the measuring device and peripheral equipment, it is advantageous if the electrodes for sensing EEG signals and / or the electrodes for sensing EMG signals are wireless electrodes.

[0024] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the electrodes for sensing the EMG signals are adhesive electrodes. Providing adhesive electrodes has the advantage that the electrodes are held particularly firmly at the desired measurement points on the patient's jaw during sleep.

[0025] In one preferred embodiment, a data processing device is provided that automatically evaluates the EEG signal and at least one EMG signal to detect respiratory events without wasting a lot of time.

[0026] It is further advantageous that wireless communication is provided between the data processing device and the electrodes. Communication between the electrodes that sense the measurement data and the data processing device that evaluates the sensed measurement data allows for easy evaluation of the measurement data. Periodic data transmission during the overnight measurement process makes the data available for evaluation immediately in the morning after the test is completed. Continuous transmission of the measurement data to the data processing device during the overnight test even makes it possible to observe the patient online. Providing wireless communication simplifies the structure of the measurement device, so that transmitting data to the data transmission unit has no or only a small impact on the patient's sleep.

[0027] It is advantageous to design the headgear like a cap, in particular to design it so that it essentially completely covers the back of the head, thereby preventing the device for determining sleep apnea from slipping off during sleep.

[0028] In order to hold the electrodes for determining the muscle tone, in particular the EMG signal, firmly at the desired measurement points, the chin part is advantageously designed as a chin strap.

[0029] As mentioned above, it is advantageous to provide two EMG measuring electrodes, each located on one half of the headgear, and for this reason it is useful to provide a first chin strap on the first half of the headgear and a second chin strap on the second half of the headgear.

[0030] Even if only one EMG measurement electrode is used on one half of the face, it is advantageous to provide a first chin strap on the first half of the headgear and a second chin strap on the second half of the headgear, because in both cases the chin straps can be stably attached to the patient's chin by connecting the first and second chin straps to each other. For example, the two chin straps can be connected by a belt or simply tied using a cord attached to the chin straps. Known alternative connection options, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, can also be used.

[0031] In one preferred refinement of the device for determining sleep apnea, a method for stimulating breathing is provided, so that the device for determining sleep apnea is not only a device for determining sleep apnea, in particular the severity of sleep apnea, but also a therapeutic device.

[0032] A device for determining sleep apnea, in which the method for stimulating breathing includes at least one implantable stimulation electrode, a data processing device for evaluating EEG and / or EMG signals, a control unit, and a device for exciting the stimulation electrode, has proven to be a particularly effective and compact therapeutic device.

[0033] In order to excite the implanted stimulation electrode, it is advantageous that the implanted stimulation electrode and the device for stimulating the stimulation electrode each have a magnetic coil. The coil of the device for stimulating the stimulation electrode is preferably connected to a battery or a rechargeable battery. When the coil of the device for exciting the stimulation electrode is connected to a battery or a rechargeable battery, power is supplied to the implanted stimulation electrode from outside. Therefore, it is easy to charge or replace the battery.

[0034] The present invention also includes a method for determining sleep apnea by the device of the present invention, comprising the following steps: sensing brain electrical activity by electroencephalography, wherein the EEG measurement signals sensed by electroencephalography are measurement signals at electroencephalography points C3 and C4; sensing the electrical activity of the muscles by electromyography, wherein the EMG measurement signal sensed by electromyography is a measurement signal in the jaw region; Correlating the EEG measurement signals sensed at points C3 and C4 with the EMG signals sensed in the jaw area; Evaluating the correlated EEG measurement signals at positions C3 and C4 and the EMG signal in the jaw area for the occurrence of respiratory events associated with sleep apnea.

[0035] In one preferred refinement, the EEG measurement signals sensed at points C3 and C4 and the EMG signal sensed at the jaw region are correlated, and the correlated EEG measurement signals at points C3 and C4 and the EMG signal at the jaw region are automatically evaluated for the occurrence of respiratory events associated with sleep apnea.

[0036] The described method can be used to determine not only the presence of sleep apnea, but also the severity of sleep apnea.

[0037] In one preferred refinement of the described method, the EEG signals at points C3 and C4 and the EMG signals in the jaw area are correlated and evaluated as soon as these signals are sensed. The evaluated data is transmitted to a control unit immediately after the evaluation. Depending on the received evaluation data, the control unit transmits control signals to a device that excites the implanted stimulation electrodes.

[0038] This method of sensing pauses in breathing while exciting implanted stimulation electrodes is suitable not only for determining the state of sleep apnea, but also for treating patients with sleep apnea. Determining the state of sleep apnea and providing therapy to patients with sleep apnea can be performed simultaneously, which provides significant benefits to the patient.

[0039] The signal can be transmitted wirelessly, inductively or capacitively to the implanted stimulating electrodes from a device for exciting the implanted stimulating electrodes, with the use of an excitation coil being preferred.

[0040] It is possible to excite the stimulation electrodes with every respiratory cycle, thereby ensuring that the patient is always certain that there are no pauses in breathing. However, this method has been found to have the drawback of requiring a great deal of electrical energy, since a considerable amount of energy must be essentially continuously supplied to the stimulation electrodes. In one preferred refinement, the control unit sends a control signal to the device for exciting the implanted stimulation electrodes only when the data received from the data processing device indicates an apneic state, either a complete cessation of breathing or a partial cessation of breathing. Therefore, it is possible to significantly reduce the energy consumption for treating sleep apnea.

[0041] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a device for determining the severity of sleep apnea, the device being worn by a patient. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of a device for determining the severity of sleep apnea, which is also suitable for being worn by the patient and controlling muscle function. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a device for exciting a stimulation electrode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] 1 shows a first embodiment of a headgear 10 of a device for determining the severity of sleep apnea by electroencephalography and electromyography. The headgear 10 includes only four measurement points at which patient-related measurement data is sensed. Two measurement points are for recording patient-related measurement data using electroencephalography, and the other two measurement points are for recording patient-related measurement data related to electromyography.

[0044] The patient-related measurement data is the measurement data used to determine the state of sleep apnea.

[0045] The headgear comprises a head portion 12 and a chin portion 14. The head portion 12 and the chin portion 14 are connected to each other, so that the headgear is embodied in one piece.

[0046] The head portion 12 fits comfortably against the patient's head and completely covers the patient's parietal and temporal regions. Although not shown, the head portion may also extend over the back of the patient's head.

[0047] For comfort, the headgear is constructed from a fabric or similarly flexible material.

[0048] Electrodes 16 for sensing electroencephalography signals (EEG signals) are provided on the head portion 12 at positions corresponding to electroencephalography points C3 and C4 when the patient is wearing the headgear. These electrodes are measurement electrodes as they are used to sense measurement data related to the patient.

[0049] The electrodes 16 for recording the EEG signals are wireless electrodes and transfer the data via a wireless link to a data processing device (not shown). The electrodes 16 for sensing the EEG signals are firmly connected to the head portion 12.

[0050] Although not shown, in addition to the electrodes 16 embodied as measurement electrodes, ground and reference electrodes are provided and firmly connected to the head portion 12 for sensing electroencephalography signals (EEG signals). The ground and reference electrodes are useful in the context of electroencephalography in order to obtain accurate measurement signals, in particular relative measurement signals, but also absolute measurement signals from the measurement electrodes. The ground and reference electrodes are therefore not used to record patient-related measurement data, but instead to ensure the quality of the signals sensed by the electrodes 16 for recording EEG signals.

[0051] Two electrodes 18 for sensing electromyography signals (EMG signals) are provided in the chin region, symmetrically with respect to the facial axis. The two electrodes 18 for sensing EMG signals are integrated into the chin portion 14 of the headgear 10 and are thereby firmly connected to the headgear 10. The two electrodes 18 for sensing EMG signals are adhesive electrodes and, like the electrodes 16 for sensing EEG signals, transmit data wirelessly to a data processing device (not shown).

[0052] The chin portion 14 is embodied as a chin strap and is connected to the head portion 12 with one piece, thereby embodied as a balaclava.

[0053] In one embodiment (not shown), the chin strap may have two chin straps, each attached to one half of the head portion 12. The two free ends of the chin straps may be rigidly connected to each other by a belt, a buckle, or simply a cord.

[0054] Thus, to determine the severity of sleep apnea, EEG signals are sensed at C3 and C4 during sleep. Furthermore, during the nighttime test, signals of muscle tension in the jaw are registered in the form of EMG signals using electromyography. The sensed measurement data are wirelessly transmitted at regular intervals to a data processing device (not shown). There, the measurement data are evaluated for the occurrence of respiratory events. This can be done online during the nighttime measurement process or offline after sleep has ended. Both visual evaluation by an expert and automatic evaluation using a software program are possible.

[0055] In particular, the evaluation is performed by correlating the EEG signals at the C3 and C4 points with the EMG data sensed at the patient's jaw.

[0056] The EEG / EMG signal combination in a healthy individual differs significantly from the EEG / EMG signal combination sensed in a patient suffering from hypopnea or apnea, and therefore can be used to classify the severity of apnea.

[0057] Because the number of measurements sensed in the described method is significantly reduced compared to conventional methods for classifying the severity of apnea, the assessment becomes significantly faster and easier without increasing the impact of errors.

[0058] In the case of the headgear shown as a device for determining the severity of sleep apnea, the headgear was selected so that the head portion essentially completely covers the head. However, within the scope of the present invention, it is sufficient that the head portion of the headgear covers the points necessary for measuring the C3 and C4 signals of the electroencephalogram. However, it is desirable to ensure that the headgear does not shift during the test, i.e., during sleep.

[0059] The described device for determining the severity of sleep apnea has a relatively simple structure and can therefore be manufactured inexpensively. The tight integration of the measurement electrodes into a cap-like or headgear-like device means that the patient's sleep is hardly affected during the nighttime test, thereby obtaining measurement results that are very similar to those sensed during quiet sleep. The simple structure of the described device also allows it to be used in a home environment, so that the sensed measurement data reflects the actual sleep situation at home to the greatest extent possible.

[0060] A second embodiment of a device for determining the severity of sleep apnea is shown in Figures 2-4 with the device worn by a patient. Muscle and / or nerve function can also be controlled, and thus this second embodiment can be used to treat cessation of breathing or partial cessation of breathing.

[0061] Like the headgear 10 shown in Fig. 1, the headgear shown in Figs. 2-4 comprises a head portion 112 and a chin portion 114. The head portion 112 and the chin portion 114 are connected to each other, thereby realizing the headgear 110 as a single member. Furthermore, an electrode 116 for sensing electroencephalography signals (EEG signals) is provided on the head portion 112 at positions corresponding to electroencephalography points C3 and C4 when worn by a patient. Two electrodes 118 for sensing electromyography signals (EMG signals) are provided in the chin region, symmetrically with respect to the facial axis.

[0062] In addition to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the headgear 110 comprises a first amplifier 120 for amplifying the measurement signal of the electroencephalography (EEG) signal, which is attached between the two electroencephalography points C3 and C4.

[0063] A second amplifier 122 is provided between the two electrodes for sensing the electromyography signal 118 .

[0064] Furthermore, a microprocessor 124 is placed on each half of the face between the electrodes 116 for sensing electroencephalography signals (EEG signals) and the electrodes 118 for sensing electromyography signals (EMG signals), respectively. The microprocessor 124 houses a data processing device and a control unit.

[0065] A device for exciting the stimulation electrodes 126 is placed on one half of the face below the mandibular margin.

[0066] First and second amplifiers 120 , 122 , a microprocessor 124 , and a device for exciting the stimulation electrodes 126 are each firmly connected to the headgear 110 .

[0067] The electrodes 116 for detecting electroencephalography (EEG) signals, the electrodes 118 for detecting electromyography (EMG) signals, the first and second amplifiers 120, 122, the microprocessor 124, and the device for exciting the stimulation electrodes 126 are connected to each other via cable connections. Alternatively, the aforementioned components may communicate wirelessly, in whole or in part.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, the device for exciting the stimulation electrodes 126 comprises a cover 130 integrated into the headgear 110, in which a coil 132 and a battery 134 are located.

[0069] A magnetic induction coil 146, in communication with an implanted stimulation electrode, is implanted either between the subcutaneous tissue 142 and the platysma muscle layer 144 (as in FIG. 4) or beneath the platysma muscle layer 144 (not shown). The implanted stimulation electrode surrounds each nerve, e.g., a so-called cuff electrode.

[0070] A battery 134 or a rechargeable battery is replaceably disposed in the cover 130 of the device for energizing the implanted stimulation electrodes 126, thereby allowing the implanted stimulation electrodes to be externally energized, which provides a significant advantage to the patient.

[0071] Therefore, the exact location of the device for exciting the stimulation electrode 126 is selected to be located over a subcutaneously implanted coil 146 that communicates with the patient's implanted stimulation electrode.

[0072] The device for the two electrodes for sensing EEG signals 116 and two electrodes for sensing EMG signals 118, two amplifiers 120, 122, two microprocessors 124, and the implanted stimulation electrode 126 communicate as follows:

[0073] The signals sensed by the two electrodes for sensing EEG signals 116 and the two electrodes for sensing EMG signals 118 are amplified by respective amplifiers 120, 122 and transmitted to a microprocessor 124, where the EEG and EMG signals are evaluated for the presence of sleep apnea. A control unit included in the microprocessor 124 sends signals to a device for exciting implanted stimulation electrodes 126 to stimulate respiration, specifically the muscles involved in breathing. The stimulation signals are applied to the muscles or nerves to stimulate respiration by coils 132 in the device for exciting the implanted stimulation electrodes 126 and coils 146 connected to the stimulation electrodes.

[0074] The control unit preferably sends a signal to the device for exciting the implanted stimulating electrodes 126 only when the EEG or EMG signal data sensed by the microprocessor 124 senses a pause in breathing in the form of sleep apnea or sleep hypopnea. Alternatively, the device for exciting the implanted stimulating electrodes 126 can deliver a signal to the implanted stimulating electrodes only in the event of sleep apnea or hypopnea.

[0075] For example, the coherence of EEG-EMG values ​​is determined in real time every 5-10 seconds by an adaptive closed-loop system, and these data are then used to stimulate breathing during the next 5-10 seconds of sleep breathing cycles.

[0076] Although the present invention has been described in relation to stimulation electrodes in the mouth region, the device for exciting the implanted stimulation electrodes can be located elsewhere. The device for exciting the implanted stimulation electrodes is preferably located in headgear so that when worn by the patient, it is positioned relative to the implanted stimulation electrodes. The implanted electrodes can excite both muscles and nerves.

[0077] The data sensed and transmitted by the microprocessor can be stored and available for later evaluation, for example, by medical personnel. It should be understood that the sensed and transmitted data can also be evaluated online or immediately after the measurement.

[0078] Although not shown, the stimulation electrodes can also be excited in different ways known in the prior art.

[0079] It should be understood that the embodiments described in relation to the drawings can be combined with each other, and individual features described in the embodiments can also be omitted within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. A device for determining sleep apnea by electroencephalography and electromyography, comprising a headgear (10; 110) having a head portion (12; 112) and a chin portion (14; 114) covering the locations on a patient's head where at least the electroencephalography measurement points C3 and C4 are located, the headgear (10; 110) having a first half, a second half and a longitudinal axis separating the first and second halves, the head portion (12; 112) having two electrodes (16; 116) for sensing EEG signals of electroencephalography at the electroencephalography points C3 and C4, each of which is arranged on one half of the headgear (10; 110), and the chin portion (14; 114) having at least one electrode (18; 118) for sensing EMG signals of electroencephalography at the chin.

2. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein a reference electrode and a ground electrode are provided in association with electroencephalography.

3. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the electrodes (16, 18) is firmly integrated into the headgear.

4. 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two electrodes (18; 118) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis.

5. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes (16; 116) for sensing the EEG signals and / or the electrodes (18; 118) for sensing the EMG signals are wireless electrodes.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electrodes (18; 118) for sensing the EMG signals are adhesive electrodes.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is provided with a data processing device for automatically evaluating the EEG signals and at least one of the EMG signals.

8. 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that wireless communication is provided between the data processing device and the electrodes (16, 18; 116, 118).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the headgear (10; 110) is designed like a cap.

10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the headgear (10; 110) is designed to essentially completely cover the back of the head.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chin part (14; 114) is designed as a chin strap.

12. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the headgear has a first half, a second half, and a longitudinal axis separating the first and second halves from each other, a first chin strap is provided on the first half of the headgear, and a second chin strap is provided on the second half of the headgear, and the first and second chin straps can be connected to each other.

13. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it provides a method for stimulating breathing.

14. 14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that the method for stimulating respiration comprises at least one implantable stimulating electrode, a data processing device for evaluating the EEG and / or EMG signals, a control unit, and a device for exciting the stimulating electrode (126).

15. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the stimulation electrode and the device for exciting the stimulation electrode (126) each comprise a magnetic coil (132, 146).

16. A method for operating a device for determining sleep apnea, comprising the steps of: the headgear sensing the electrical activity of the brain by electroencephalography, the EEG measurement signals sensed by electroencephalography being measurement signals at electroencephalography points C3 and C4; the headgear sensing the electrical activity of muscles by electromyography, the EMG measurement signal sensed by electromyography being a measurement signal in the jaw region; a data processing device correlating the EEG signals sensed at points C3 and C4 and the EMG signals sensed at the jaw region; the data processing device evaluating the correlated EEG measurement signals at the positions C3 and C4 and the EMG signal at the jaw region for the occurrence of respiratory events associated with sleep apnea; A method of operating a device, including:

17. the device correlating the EEG measurement signals sensed at points C3 and C4 and the EMG signals sensed at the jaw region; and The step of the device evaluating the correlated EEG signals at points C3 and C4 and the EMG signals at the jaw region for the occurrence of respiratory events associated with sleep apnea includes:

17. A method for operating a device according to claim 16, characterized in that it is carried out automatically by a data processing device.

18. the evaluation by said data processing device of the correlated EEG signals at points C3 and C4 and the EMG signals at the jaw area is performed as soon as said signals are sensed; the data evaluated by the data processing device is transmitted to a control unit immediately after evaluation; 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the control unit transmits control signals to the device for exciting implanted stimulation electrodes (126) depending on the received evaluated data.

19. 20. A method of operating a device as described in claim 18, characterized in that a signal is transmitted from the device for exciting an implanted stimulation electrode (126) to the implanted stimulation electrode wirelessly, inductively or capacitively.

20. 20. A method of operating a device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the control unit sends a control signal to the device for exciting implanted stimulation electrodes (126) only if the data received from the data processing device indicates apnea or hypopnea.

Images