Implantable Loop Recorder Apnea Detection via Multi-Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient health monitoring systems are inadequate in detecting disordered breathing, particularly sleep apnea, which is a significant co-morbidity for cardiac conditions, and do not effectively provide real-time monitoring or trigger appropriate therapy.
Innovation Solution
An implantable loop recorder (ILR) system that monitors subcutaneous ECG signals, combines data from additional sensors like pulse oximetry and bioimpedance, and uses algorithms to detect apnea by analyzing respiratory disturbance indices, allowing for real-time apnea detection and closed-loop therapy application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If implantable loop recorder combines multiple sensors and algorithms for comprehensive breathing monitoring, then detection accuracy of sleep disordered breathing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (ECG electrodes, pulse oximetry sensor, bioimpedance sensors) and multiple analysis algorithms within a single implantable loop recorder device to detect sleep disordered breathing. This merging approach enables comprehensive monitoring of cardiac and respiratory parameters simultaneously, improving detection accuracy while consolidating functionality into one implantable unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable loop recorder is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a cardiac monitor (ECG recording) and a respiratory monitor (pulse oximetry, bioimpedance analysis). This universal device performs multiple functions including detecting apnea, hypopnea, and other breathing disorders, reducing the need for separate monitoring devices.
2Reliability
If implantable loop recorder provides continuous real-time monitoring, then timely detection of breathing events is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable loop recorder employs periodic action by analyzing physiological signals at specific intervals rather than continuously processing all data streams. The device periodically evaluates respiratory disturbance indices and triggers therapy only when disordered breathing events are detected, reducing computational load and energy consumption while maintaining reliable real-time monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control where the implantable device monitors breathing parameters in real-time, detects disordered breathing events, and automatically triggers appropriate therapy. The feedback mechanism allows the device to adjust its monitoring and therapy delivery based on detected physiological states, ensuring timely intervention while optimizing energy usage.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method directed to detecting a physiological signal during discrete time separated detection windows, deriving one or more respiratory disturbance indices from the physiological signal, detecting a respiratory disturbance state in response to the one or more respiratory disturbance indices deviating from a threshold value, interpolating the one or more respiratory disturbance indices between adjacent time separated detection windows, and declaring a respiratory disturbance episode based on the detected respiratory disturbance state during the detection windows and the interpolation between detection windows.