Non-Contact RF Sleep Stage Detection from Respiration Variability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory disorder treatments face challenges with uncomfortable and poorly fitting patient interfaces, noisy vents, and cumbersome sleep stage determination methods that require electrical contact or multiple sensors, limiting their effectiveness and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact system using radio-frequency sensors to measure bodily movement and respiration signals for sleep stage determination, providing comfortable and efficient treatment adjustments based on sleep stages without direct electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-contact radio-frequency sensors are used for sleep stage determination, then user comfort is improved by eliminating direct electrical contact, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based mechanical sensing systems with radio-frequency electromagnetic sensing. The system uses RF signals to detect bodily movements and respiration patterns without physical contact, thereby eliminating skin irritation and discomfort while maintaining measurement capability through signal processing algorithms that analyze movement patterns to determine sleep stages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radio-frequency electromagnetic waves as an intermediary between the sensor and the subject. Instead of direct electrical contact between sensors and skin, RF waves serve as the medium to detect physiological movements, allowing non-invasive measurement of sleep parameters while preserving measurement precision through appropriate signal reception and analysis
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and electrical contact are used for sleep stage determination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the radio-frequency sensor system multi-functional by using it to detect multiple physiological parameters simultaneously - bodily movements, respiration rate, and sleep stage determination - all through a single sensing mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate specialized sensors for each measurement, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive sleep monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single radio-frequency sensing system. Instead of using separate sensors for movement detection, respiration monitoring, and sleep stage classification, the system merges these functions into one integrated RF sensing approach, simplifying the overall device architecture while preserving measurement precision through combined signal analysis
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 accurate sleep stage differentiation and comfortable treatment by eliminating the need for direct electrical contact, improving user comfort and treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
A non-contact system using radio-frequency sensors to measure bodily movement and respiration signals for sleep stage determination
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus monitor health by detection of sleep stage. For example, a sleep stage monitor (100) may access sensor data signals related to bodily movement and/or respiration movements. At least a portion of the detected signals may be analyzed to calculate respiration variability. The respiration variability may include one or more of variability of respiration rate and variability of respiration amplitude. A processor may then determine a sleep stage based on one or more of respiration variability and bodily movement, such as with a combination of both. The determination of sleep stages may distinguish between deep sleep and other stages of sleep, or may differentiate between deep sleep, light sleep and REM sleep. The bodily movement and respiration movement signals may be derived from one or more sensors, such as non-invasive sensor (e.g., a non-contact radio-frequency motion sensor or a pressure sensitive mattress).