External Acceleration Sensor for Non-Invasive Apnea Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting sleep apnea and hypopnea require invasive implantable devices, limiting their usefulness and causing discomfort, and existing non-invasive techniques do not effectively utilize endocardial acceleration for diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
An external apparatus that uses an acceleration sensor to measure endocardial acceleration peaks, analyzing these signals in conjunction with other physiological parameters like heart rate to detect apneae or hypopneae without invasive implantation, employing thresholds and advanced signal processing techniques for accurate alert generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an implantable device is used to detect sleep apnea, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/implantable sensor system with an optical measurement system. A photodetector measures light absorption changes in the earlobe to detect apnea events, substituting the implantable impedance-based mechanical system with a non-invasive optical system that achieves comparable diagnostic accuracy without surgical implantation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to detect physiological changes. Instead of directly measuring mechanical or electrical properties through implantation, the system uses light absorption changes in tissue as an intermediary signal to infer respiratory status and detect apnea events
2Measurement precision
If an implantable device is used to detect sleep apnea, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/implantable sensor system with an optical measurement system. A photodetector measures light absorption changes in the earlobe to detect apnea events, substituting the implantable impedance-based mechanical system with a non-invasive optical system that achieves comparable diagnostic accuracy without surgical implantation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable or temporary sensor placement on the earlobe rather than a permanent implantable device. This allows the system to be easily applied and removed, providing accurate apnea detection without the long-term commitment and discomfort of implantable devices
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables non-invasive, comfortable detection of sleep apnea and hypopnea events with high sensitivity and specificity, providing valuable diagnostic data without the need for implantable devices, improving patient comfort and diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an external acceleration sensor able to be maintained in contact with the patient's thoracic wall
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the non-invasive detection of apneae or hypopneae in a patient. This apparatus collects the patient's endocardial acceleration using an external acceleration sensor (12) able to be maintained in contact with the patient's thoracic wall (10). An analysis is made to determine at least one parameter that is function of collected endocardial acceleration and to conditionally deliver an apnea or hypopnea alert signal as a function of the value taken by this parameter. This parameter can notably be a function of one and/or the other of the two endocardial acceleration peaks over one given heart cycle, the first peak (PEA I) corresponding to the ventricular isovolumetric contraction phase and the second peak (PEA II) to the ventricular isovolumetric relaxation phase.