Multi-Sensor Apnea Detection Device with Real-Time Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sleep apnea detection methods, such as Polysomnography (PSG) tests, are costly, cumbersome, and limited in availability, especially in developing countries, requiring extensive resources and manual analysis, which hampers efficient diagnosis and increases queuing times.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with multiple sensors (snoring sound, cardiovascular parameters, and breathing movement sensors) synchronized by a real-time clock, which excludes normal breathing periods and uses heart rate and oxygen saturation conjunction spikes to detect apnea events, reducing the workload for sleep technologists and providing a pre-test filter for PSG tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Polysomnography (PSG) tests are used for sleep apnea detection, then detection accuracy is maintained, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex PSG system into three separate sensor modules: a first sensor for snoring sounds, a second sensor for cardiovascular parameters, and a third sensor for breathing movements. Each sensor independently captures specific physiological data, which are then integrated through synchronization. This segmentation reduces the complexity of any single sensor while maintaining comprehensive detection capability through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-functional sensors that can detect multiple types of signals. For example, the first sensor captures snoring sounds which can indicate both upper airway obstruction and respiratory effort. The second sensor monitors cardiovascular parameters including heart rate and oxygen saturation. This multi-functionality allows fewer sensors to perform comprehensive apnea detection, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Measurement precision
If conventional PSG tests are used for sleep apnea detection, then comprehensive breathing analysis is achieved, but time consumption and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having sensors continuously capture and pre-process breathing data throughout the sleep period. The system pre-identifies potential apnea events by monitoring for cessation of breathing movements, snoring patterns, and associated cardiovascular changes. This preliminary detection and marking of suspicious time periods allows sleep technologists to focus analysis only on these pre-identified segments, dramatically reducing manual review time while maintaining comprehensive breathing analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies skipping by enabling the system to rapidly scan through entire sleep periods to identify potential apnea events, then rush through the analysis of only those identified time periods. The automatic detection and time period marking functionality allows the system to skip over normal breathing periods and focus computational and human resources only on suspicious segments, thereby increasing diagnosis efficiency without sacrificing measurement precision.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are deployed for comprehensive apnea detection, then detection reliability improves, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensor functions into an integrated system with unified data processing. The first sensor (snoring sounds), second sensor (cardiovascular parameters), and third sensor (breathing movements) are combined through a common data processing platform that synchronizes their outputs. This merging allows the system to operate as a cohesive unit despite using multiple sensors, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining high detection reliability through multi-parameter monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces synchronization as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between multiple independent sensors. The synchronization component aligns the time stamps and data streams from the first, second, and third sensors, creating a unified temporal framework for analysis. This intermediary function simplifies the operation of multiple sensors by automatically handling the complex task of coordinating their outputs, thereby improving ease of operation while preserving the reliability benefits of multi-sensor deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments include devices and systems that detect apnea events of a user. The device includes a first sensor configured beside the head of the user for capturing snoring sounds of the user, a second sensor configured on one finger of the user for capturing cardiovascular parameters of the user, a third sensor configured under the trunk of the user for capturing e breathing movements of the user, a data recorder that is connected with the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor for receiving recordings therefrom, and a clock for synchronizing the recordings in real time. The recordings include one or more breathing events including snoring events, heart rate and SPO2 conjunction spikes, and breathing movement cessations. The time periods that apnea events are impossible can be excluded according to a combination of the breathing events, and the apnea events can be detected thereafter.