Upper Airway Characterization via Speech Spectral Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) are invasive, time-consuming, and uncomfortable, requiring overnight monitoring in a sleep lab, with limited accuracy and convenience for daytime screening.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for characterizing the upper airway using spectral properties of an utterance, involving a mechanical coupler to restrict jaw position, recording and processing the utterance to determine anatomical parameters, and providing real-time feedback, which can autonomously assess OSA without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If overnight monitoring in a sleep lab is used to diagnose OSA, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but time consumption and patient comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential diagnostic function from the complex sleep lab environment by using a portable device that captures speech signals during daytime. The system takes out the core measurement capability (spectral analysis of speech) and separates it from the cumbersome overnight monitoring setup, enabling accurate diagnosis without requiring patients to spend nights in a sleep lab.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical monitoring system of sleep labs with sensors and signal processing algorithms. Instead of using complex physiological monitoring equipment overnight, the system uses speech signal processing with spectral analysis to extract anatomical parameters, substituting a simpler computational approach for the traditional physical monitoring method.
2Loss of information
If acoustic pharyngometry is used to measure upper airway geometry, then anatomical parameter extraction is improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct acoustic pharyngometry measurements to spectral characteristics of speech signals. Instead of relying on the unreliable acoustic pharyngometry method, the system analyzes formant frequencies and spectral properties of naturally produced speech, which are more stable and reliable indicators of upper airway anatomy. This parameter change transforms an unreliable measurement into a robust diagnostic tool.
3Reliability
If traditional OSA screening methods are used, then detection capability is improved, but ease of operation and patient convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling patients to perform the diagnostic test themselves using their own voice. The portable device captures speech signals during normal daytime activities without requiring medical professionals or sleep lab facilities. Patients simply speak into the device, and the system automatically processes the signals to provide diagnostic information, making the screening process as convenient as having a conversation.
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, efficient, and convenient daytime screening for OSA, improving the reliability and accessibility of upper airway characterization, and facilitating the delivery of respiratory drugs by optimizing drug administration based on real-time anatomical feedback.
Implementation Method 1
characterizing at least one anatomical parameter of an upper airway of a patient by analyzing spectral properties of an utterance
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to systems and methods for characterizing at least one anatomical parameter of an upper airway of a patient by analysing spectral properties of an utterance, comprising: a mechanical coupler comprising means for restricting the jaw position of the patient; means for recording an utterance; and processing means for determining at least one anatomical parameter of the upper airway from the recorded utterance and comparing the recorded utterance to a threshold value. In addition the present invention relates to the use of the above mentioned systems as a diagnostics tool for assessing obstructive sleep apnea.