Respiratory Stimulus Apparatus with Dynamic Current Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory abnormality improvement apparatuses face challenges in applying appropriate electric stimuli during sleep apnea and infrequent respiration, leading to excessive nerve response, habituation, and inadequate stimulus delivery, which affects sleeping quality and effectiveness in alleviating respiratory abnormalities.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory abnormality improvement apparatus that generates a stimulus signal with a first current level for normal conditions and a second current level for abnormal conditions, featuring a conduction period with gradually increasing current and a break period with dithering to prevent habituation and ensure effective stimulus delivery without disrupting sleep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a synchronization method is used to detect apnea and apply electric signals immediately, then the effectiveness in treating respiratory abnormalities is improved, but the patient's cutaneous nerves excessively respond causing awakening even by low current
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulus generating unit starts applying a preliminary stimulus signal at a first current level before apnea detection, and when apnea is detected, transitions to a second current level. This preliminary action allows the nervous system to adapt to the stimulus pattern, reducing excessive response when higher current is applied during apnea events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the current level based on respiratory state detection. The stimulus generating unit changes from a first current level during normal breathing to a second current level during apnea, creating a dynamic response that adapts to the patient's physiological state while maintaining effectiveness without causing awakening.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a non-synchronization method with fixed timer is used to apply monotonous electric stimulus, then the stimulus is continuously delivered, but the patient's body becomes habituated to the current reducing stimulus effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulus generating unit implements periodic conduction periods and break periods within each stimulus application cycle. During conduction periods, electric pulse groups are generated; during break periods, no pulse groups are generated. This periodic structure prevents habituation by creating variation in the stimulus pattern while maintaining continuous overall delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes stimulus parameters (current level, pulse group generation) based on detected respiratory state. When respiratory abnormality is detected, the unit switches from first stimulus signal parameters to second stimulus signal parameters, maintaining stimulus effectiveness by adapting to the patient's physiological state rather than using fixed monotonous parameters.
3Reliability
If a high current is applied to overcome habituation, then the stimulus effectiveness is maintained, but the integrated current value enlarges causing negative effects from long-period conduction
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing break periods where no electric pulse groups are generated, the system reduces the integrated current value compared to continuous high-current application. The periodic structure allows the nervous system to partially reset during break periods, maintaining stimulus effectiveness without the cumulative negative effects of continuous high-current conduction.
4Speed
If the stimulus current is abruptly increased to treat apnea, then the respiratory abnormality is quickly addressed, but the patient experiences large pain
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies a preliminary stimulus signal at a lower first current level before increasing to the second current level during apnea. This preliminary action allows gradual adaptation of the nervous system, enabling faster response to apnea while reducing the abruptness that causes pain.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a respiratory abnormality improvement apparatus capable of effectively improving respiratory abnormality during sleep. The present invention is a respiratory abnormality improvement apparatus for applying a stimulus signal generated in a stimulus generating unit to a patient as an electric stimulus. Here, the apparatus includes a respiration detection unit for detecting a respiratory condition of the patient. Particularly, the stimulus generating unit is so configured that a first stimulus signal generated at a current level preset at a given time, and a second stimulus signal of a current level different from that of the first stimulus signal are generated as stimulus signals to an electrode member worn by the patient based on a detection signal from the respiration detection unit when the patient has been judged to be under a respiratory abnormality condition.