KR20110088138A - Device and method to detect sleep apnea and classify its type - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A device and method for detecting sleep apnea and determining the type of sleep apnea are provided to determine the type of the sleep apnea. CONSTITUTION: A PPG sensor(15) senses the photoplethysmography of a subject. A three axis acceleration sensor(25) senses the movement of a subject. A diagnosis device(100) determines the sleep apnea using a photoplethysmography measured from a PPG sensor and diagnoses the type of the sleep apnea using the thee axis acceleration sensor.

Description

Device and Method to Detect Sleep Apnea and Classify its Type

The present invention relates to a sleep apnea detection and type determination device and a method thereof, and more particularly, a sleep apnea detection and type determination device for determining the sleep apnea type as well as the detection of sleep apnea using a simple device. And to a method thereof.

Sleep apnea refers to a phenomenon in which breathing is temporarily stopped during sleep, and may be classified into pathophysiological obstructive apnea, central apnea, and mixed apnea. The most frequent of these is obstructive sleep apnea, in which breathing is reduced or stopped for a period of time due to narrowing or obstruction of the upper airway. Sleep apnea is a phenomenon in which the upper airway is blocked repeatedly while sleeping, oxygen saturation is lowered, and sleep snoring is accompanied by snoring.

Sleep interruption and excessive daytime sleepiness can cause cognitive impairment, such as memory impairment, judgment impairment, concentration impairment, and high blood pressure, arrhythmia and cardiac ischemia due to decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular complications. Mortality is also reported to increase, and excessive daytime sleepiness may increase the risk of accidents and trauma.

The criteria for selecting a diagnosis and treatment method for sleep apnea can be divided into medical examination, physical examination and special examination. Among them, the medical history test alone is only 60% of sensitivity and 63% of specificity, which is not enough to evaluate sleep apnea. Therefore, a special examination, especially sleep polysomnography, is performed together to diagnose the sleep state and sleep apnea of the patient.

Clinically, apnea is a symptom of sleep that is reduced by more than 80%, lasts 10 seconds or more, and decreases in oxygen saturation by more than 3%. Hypnea is a reduction in breathing signals of more than 50%, lasting more than 10 seconds, and oxygen saturation of more than 3%. The number of apnea or hypopnea per hour during sleep is called the Apnea-Hypopnea Index or the respiratory disturbance index, which is above 5 and complains of excessive daytime sleepiness or insomnia. Diagnosis of sleep apnea

The polysomnography is an objective assessment of the stages and functions of sleep and the events that occur during sleep. The standard polysomnography is electrocardiography (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), and electro-oculogram. EOG), electromyogram (EMG), oxygen saturation in arteries, nasal and oral cavity airflow, chest and abdominal movements, sleeping posture, blood pressure, etc., and esophageal pressure may be added to view respiratory effort. An electrocardiogram is a test to look for arrhythmias that can result from apnea. EEG, safety, and EMG can distinguish sleep and wakeful states, and oxygen saturation of the arteries is a measure of oxygen desaturation during apnea. In addition, measurements of air flow in the nasal and oral cavity, as well as chest and abdominal movements, are used to determine whether normal breathing, central or obstructive apnea is achieved through respiration. Central apnea refers to a case in which there is no airflow and no respiratory effort, and obstructive apnea refers to a case in which there is a breathing effort but no airflow through the nose or mouth.

Sleep polysomnography is a comprehensive test of sleep disease, but it is a good diagnostic method, but it is expensive, cumbersome, and requires skilled personnel and efforts. As an alternative to this problem, a simplified sleep test has been proposed, and a portable device has been developed. Portable devices can be inspected in a familiar environment as usual, inexpensive, and can be easily accessed by anyone with the advantage of being able to compare multiple tests.

However, presently presented portable devices require complicated measurement preparation procedures or errors, and thus diagnosis is inaccurate. Some devices cannot diagnose the type of sleep apnea.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sleep apnea detection and type determination device and a method for providing a simple structure that can not only detect sleep apnea anytime and anywhere, but also determine the type of sleep apnea.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The object is a PPG sensor for measuring the photodedicated pulse wave of the subject; 3-axis acceleration sensor for detecting the movement of the subject; Sleep apnea is determined using the photo-propagation pulse wave measured by the PPG sensor, and the diagnostic device for diagnosing the type of sleep apnea using the three-axis acceleration sensor; Sleep apnea detection and type determination comprising a Achieved by the device.

The object comprises the steps of measuring the photo-propagation pulse wave of the subject; Detecting movement of the subject; Determining whether sleep apnea is performed using the photoelectric pulse wave; And diagnosing the type of sleep apnea using the movement of the subject. The method is also achieved by a sleep apnea detection and determination method.

According to the sleep apnea detection and type determination device and the method thereof, by simply configuring the device, the examinee can carry and carry the sleep apnea or determine the type, so that the examinee can test in a familiar environment. Repeated measurements can give accurate information about sleep apnea.

In addition, it is possible to determine whether sleep apnea and the type together, more accurate diagnosis is possible.

On the other hand, by configuring the eye patch to transmit and receive information wirelessly, the subject can be inspected more comfortably during the examination, it is possible to prevent the line is stretched or shorted by the movement of the subject.

1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for detecting and detecting sleep apnea according to the present invention;
2 is a graph of a PPG signal detected by a PPG sensor,
3 is a table showing the type of apnea;
4 is a model diagram of an eyeball type sleep apnea detection and determination device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining sleep apnea and type by the sleep apnea detection and type determination device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for detecting and detecting sleep apnea according to the present invention.

The sleep apnea detection and type determination device can not only detect the symptoms of sleep apnea, but also determine the type, and is mounted on the subject's body to measure the body temperature, movement, and photo-propagating pulse wave of the subject ( 1) and a diagnostic device 100 installed at a remote location to determine whether sleep type and apnea according to the result detected by the measuring device (1).

The measuring device 1 is attached to the body of the subject, and its structure may be configured in various ways. Embodiments of the structure of the measuring device 1 will be described later.

The measuring device 1 includes a sensor unit 10, a signal processing unit 30, a microcontroller 50, and a signal transmission unit 55.

The sensor unit 10 includes a PPG (Photoplethysmgraphy) sensor 15 for measuring a photo-propagating pulse wave of a subject, a body temperature sensor 20 for measuring a body temperature of a subject, and a three-axis acceleration for sensing a subject's movement. Sensor 25.

The PPG sensor 15 measures the pulse change and respiration during sleep of the subject, and emits light of the specific wavelength band and the light emitted from the emitter 16 passes through a part of the subject's body. Or a light receiving unit 18 for receiving the light generated by the reflection and converting the light into current. In this case, a photodiode may be used as the light emitting unit 16, and a phototransistor may be used as the light receiving unit 18.

2 is a graph of the PPG signal detected by the PPG sensor 15, and the sample rate of the PPG signal was set to 200 Hz. As shown, a heart rate (HR) may be derived by calculating a distance between a current peak and a next peak of the PPG signal measured by the PPG sensor 15. In addition, since the breathing signal is displayed in the heart rate change signal, the breathing rate is detected from the derived change in the heart rate value so that the subject can detect whether there is apnea during sleep.

The body temperature sensor 20 detects the body temperature of the subject. In general, since the body temperature decreases during sleep, the microcontroller 50 may determine whether the examinee is sleeping according to the change in the body temperature detected by the body temperature sensor 20.

The three-axis acceleration sensor 25 is used to measure the movement of the subject during sleep according to the degree of Y-axis and Z-axis movement, and is used to determine whether the subject moves during sleep apnea. If the subject moves above the preset threshold during sleep apnea, there is a breathing effort to breathe. If the subject moves below the threshold during sleep apnea, the subject's breathing effort is determined to be low or low.

Whether this breathing effort and the breathing signal detected by the PPG sensor 15 is a criterion for diagnosing the type of sleep apnea of the subject.

As shown in the first column of FIG. 3, the respiration signal is not detected in the PPG sensor 15 or is detected at a predetermined rate or less, for example, 80% or less, compared to before sleep, and is detected by the 3-axis acceleration sensor 25. Is detected as obstructed apnea, if it is detected that the patient has moved above the threshold, i.e., the subject has performed a breathing effort in a sleep apnea state.

As shown in the second column of FIG. 3, when the subject does not move the body in the sleep apnea state, that is, the respiration signal is detected in the PPG sensor 15 at a predetermined ratio or less than before sleep, and the 3-axis acceleration sensor 25 In the absence of respiratory effort, the patient is diagnosed with central apnea.

As shown in the third column of FIG. 3, when the subject moves the body above a certain threshold value in the sleep apnea state, that is, the respiration signal is detected in the PPG sensor 15 below a certain level as compared to before sleep, and the 3-axis acceleration sensor If the breathing effort is intermittently detected at (25), it is diagnosed as mixed apnea.

As indicated in the fourth column of FIG. 3, if the breathing signal of the subject is detected at a certain rate, for example, 50% or less, and the breathing effort is detected by continuously moving the body, it is diagnosed as low breathing.

The signal processor 30 includes a first signal processor 35 for processing a signal output from the PPG sensor 15 and a second signal processor 45 for processing a signal output from the body temperature sensor 20. .

The first signal processing unit 35 specifies a current / voltage converter 36 for converting a current output from the light receiving unit 18 of the PPG sensor 15 into a voltage and a voltage output from the current / voltage converter 36. Notch filter 37 for removing noise at a frequency of 60 Hz, first and second high pass filters 39 and 40 for filtering signals output from notch filter 37, and first and second high pass filters. A low pass filter 38 disposed between the first high pass filter 39 and a second high pass filter 40 for low pass filtering the signal from the first high pass filter 39 to the second high pass filter 40; The amplifier 41 amplifies the filtered signal.

Here, the first and second high pass filters 39 and 40 and the low pass filter 38 are both primary filters.

The second signal processor 45 includes a body temperature sensor filter 46 for filtering the signal output from the body temperature sensor 20, and an amplifier 47 for amplifying the signal filtered by the body temperature sensor filter 46. do.

The signal transmitter 55 transmits the signal detected by the PPG sensor 15 and the 3-axis acceleration sensor 25 to the remote diagnosis apparatus 100 under the control of the microcontroller 50. The signal transmission unit 55 uses a wireless communication method that can wirelessly communicate with the diagnosis apparatus 100, thereby minimizing the connection of the wires, thereby disturbing the sleep of the examinee or pulling or shorting the wires due to movement during the sleep of the examinee. Can be prevented.

The microcontroller 50 controls the operation of the signal processor 30 and the signal transmitter 55, and diagnoses signals detected by the PPG sensor 15, the body temperature sensor 20, and the 3-axis acceleration sensor 25. To the device 100. At this time, the microcontroller 50 determines whether the subject is sleeping according to the change in body temperature detected by the body temperature sensor 20, and provides the determination result to the diagnosis apparatus 100.

The diagnostic apparatus 100 may include a display unit 120 displaying the PPG signal measured by the PPG sensor 15 and the respiratory effort detected by the triaxial acceleration sensor 25 in the graph states shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; Diagnostic unit 130 for performing the diagnosis, the signal receiving unit 110 for receiving a signal transmitted from the measuring device (1).

The diagnosis unit 130 determines whether sleep apnea is detected using the breath and pulse measured by the PPG sensor 15, and the breathing effort detected by the 3-axis acceleration sensor 25 and the breath detected by the PPG sensor 15. The signal is used to diagnose the type of sleep apnea.

That is, as described with reference to FIG. 2, when the test subject is determined to be sleeping by sensing the body temperature sensor 20, the diagnosis unit 130 may examine the subject according to the change in the breath and pulse measured by the PPG sensor 15. To determine whether sleep apnea. In addition, the diagnosis unit 130 uses the breathing signal detected by the PPG sensor 15 and the breathing effort detected by the 3-axis acceleration sensor 25 to describe the sleep apnea type as described with reference to FIG. 3. Obstructive apnea, central apnea, mixed apnea, low breathing.

The diagnosis result of the diagnosis unit 130 may be displayed on the display unit 120 or may be displayed through a speaker or the like by voice. Alternatively, the examiner may make a diagnosis directly by using the graph displayed on the display unit 120 without resorting to the diagnosis unit 130.

FIG. 4 is a model diagram in which the sleep apnea detection and type determination device of FIG. 1 is shaped into an eye patch type.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sleep apnea detection and type determination apparatus of the present embodiment includes an eye patch 150, a band unit 180, a first sensor unit 160, and a second sensor unit 170.

The eye patch 150 is equipped with a battery 60 for supplying power to the measuring device 1 together with the three-axis acceleration sensor 25, the signal processor 30, the signal transmitter 55, the microcontroller 50. The band portion 180 is connected to both ends of the longitudinal direction of the eye patch 150 to fix the eye patch 150 to the head of the subject.

The first sensor unit 160 extends from one side of the eye patch 150 to the signal line 161 connected to the signal processor 30 and the microcontroller 50, and a body temperature sensor mounted at the distal end of the signal line 161. It includes a mounting portion (165). Body temperature sensor mounting portion 165 is formed in the shape of the earphone to be mounted on the ear of the subject.

The second sensor unit 170 extends from one side of the eyeball 150 to the signal line 171 connected to the signal processing unit 30 and the microcontroller 50 and the PPG sensor mounted at the distal end of the signal line 171. It includes a mounting portion 175. PPG sensor mounting portion 175 is mounted on the ear ball, for this purpose, the appearance may be formed in a sucker form.

Each of the signal lines 161 and 171 of the first sensor unit 160 and the second sensor unit 170 is formed of a flexible and flexible material, so that the body temperature sensor mounting unit 165 and the PPG sensor mounting unit 175 are attached to the body of the examinee. Make it easy to mount.

The process of determining sleep apnea and type by the sleep apnea detection and type determination device according to this configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

When the sleep apnea diagnosis starts, the microcontroller 50 operates the body temperature sensor 20, the PPG sensor 15, the 3-axis acceleration sensor 25, the signal processor 30, and is detected by the body temperature sensor 20. The temperature change is used to determine whether the subject starts sleeping.

When sleep is started (S500), the microcontroller 50 receives the PPG signal detected by the PPG sensor 15 and processed by the signal processor 30, and the subject's movement detected by the 3-axis acceleration sensor 25. Receive a signal. That is, the breathing signal and the breathing effort of the subject is measured (S510). The microcontroller 50 provides the PPG signal and the movement signal of the examinee to the diagnosis apparatus 100 through the signal transmission unit 55 in real time.

The signal receiver 110 of the diagnostic apparatus 100 receives the PPG signal and the motion signal, and the display unit 120 displays the PPG signal and the motion signal. In addition, the diagnosis unit 130 determines whether sleep apnea and sleep apnea type.

First, the diagnosis unit 130 determines whether the respiration signal included in the PPG signal is reduced by 50% or more compared with before sleep (S520). If it is determined that the reduction is not more than 50%, it is determined as normal (S525). On the other hand, if the respiratory signal is reduced by more than 50%, the diagnostic unit 130 determines whether or not reduced by more than 80% (S530). At this time, if the breathing signal is not reduced by more than 80% is diagnosed as low breathing (S535). However, when the respiration signal is reduced by more than 80%, it is determined whether the respiratory effort is at or below a predetermined threshold value according to the motion signal detected by the 3-axis acceleration sensor 25 (S540). If the respiratory effort is made below a certain threshold, the diagnostic unit 130 determines to be central apnea (S545), and if the respiratory effort is made to be above a certain threshold, the diagnosis unit 130 determines to be obstructive apnea ( S550).

On the other hand, the diagnosis unit 130 is diagnosed as apnea when the breathing effort of the subject fluctuates around the threshold value, that is, when apnea and obstructive apnea alternates to diagnose as mixed apnea (S560, S570).

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims are also provided. It belongs to the scope of rights.

Claims (20)

A PPG sensor for measuring the photodedicated pulse wave of the subject;
3-axis acceleration sensor for detecting the movement of the subject; And
Sleep apnea is determined using the photo-propagation pulse wave measured by the PPG sensor, and the diagnostic device for diagnosing the type of sleep apnea using the three-axis acceleration sensor; Sleep apnea detection and type determination comprising a Device. The method of claim 1,
The PPG sensor includes a light emitting unit for generating light of a specific wavelength band, and a light receiving unit for receiving light generated by the light emitted from the light emitting unit passing or reflecting the body of the subject and converting the light into a current. Sleep apnea detection and type determination device. The method of claim 1,
Sleep apnea detection and type determination device further comprising; a body temperature sensor for determining the sleep by measuring the body temperature of the subject. The method according to claim 1 or 3,
A signal processor for filtering and amplifying signals detected by the PPG sensor and the temperature sensor;
A signal transmitter which transmits the signals processed by the signal processor to the diagnostic apparatus; And
Sleep apnea detection and type characterized in that it further comprises a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the signal processor and the signal transmitter to control the signals detected by the PPG sensor, body temperature sensor, three-axis acceleration sensor to be provided to the diagnostic device Judgment device. The method of claim 4, wherein
The signal processing unit,
A current / voltage converter for converting a current output from the light receiving unit of the PPG sensor into a voltage;
A notch filter for removing noise of a specific frequency from the voltage output from the current / voltage converter;
First and second high pass filters for filtering the signal output from the notch filter;
A low pass filter disposed between the first and second high pass filters to low pass filter the signal from the first high pass filter to a second high pass filter;
And an amplifier for amplifying the signal filtered by the second high pass filter. The method of claim 4, wherein
The signal processing unit,
A temperature sensor filter for filtering the signal output from the temperature sensor;
Sleep apnea detection and type determination device further comprising; an amplifier for amplifying the signal filtered by the body temperature sensor filter. The method of claim 4, wherein
The signal transmission unit, sleep apnea detection and type determination device, characterized in that for providing signals to the diagnostic device using a wireless communication technology. The method of claim 1,
The diagnostic device,
A display unit which displays a signal measured from the PPG sensor and the three-axis acceleration sensor;
Determining sleep apnea from the breath and pulse detected by the PPG sensor, and diagnosing the type of sleep apnea according to the breathing effort, which is the movement of the subject detected by the breath signal detected by the PPG sensor and the 3-axis acceleration sensor. Diagnostic unit;
Sleep apnea detection and type determination device comprising a; a signal receiver for receiving a signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit. The method of claim 8,
The diagnosis unit, when the respiratory signal is lower than the predetermined first rate compared to before sleep is diagnosed with low breathing, and when the lower than the second rate lower than the first rate is diagnosed as sleep apnea, characterized in that diagnosed as apnea Judgment device. The method of claim 8,
The diagnosing unit diagnoses obstructive apnea when the subject's breathing effort is equal to or lower than a preset threshold, and diagnoses as central apnea when the subject's breathing effort is below a preset threshold. Sleep apnea detection and type determination device, characterized in that. The method of claim 8,
The diagnosis unit sleep apnea detection and type determination device, characterized in that for diagnosing mixed apnea when the breathing effort of the subject in the state diagnosed as apnea fluctuates around a threshold value. The method of claim 4, wherein
An eye patch equipped with the 3-axis acceleration sensor, a signal processor, a signal transmitter, and a microcontroller;
A band part for fixing the eye patch to the head of the subject;
A first sensor unit extending from one side of the eye patch and having the temperature sensor mounted at an end thereof;
Sleeping apnea detection and type determination device comprising a; extending from one side of the eye patch, the second sensor unit is mounted on the end of the PPG sensor. Measuring a photodedicated pulse wave of the subject;
Detecting movement of the subject;
Determining whether sleep apnea is performed using the photoelectric pulse wave; And
And diagnosing the type of sleep apnea using the subject's movements. The method of claim 13,
Measuring the photo-only pulse wave of the subject,
Generating light of a specific wavelength band;
Receiving the light generated by the light passing through or reflecting through the body of the examinee and converting the light into a current;
Converting the current into a voltage; And
Filtering and amplifying the signal converted into voltage; sleep apnea detection and type determination method comprising a. The method of claim 13,
And determining the sleep state of the examinee by measuring the body temperature of the examinee. Sleep apnea detection and type determination method further comprises. The method of claim 13,
Determining whether or not the apnea,
Determining whether to sleep according to the temperature of the examinee; And
If it is determined that the subject is sleeping, determining whether or not sleep apnea from the breathing, the pulse included in the photoelectric pulse wave; sleep apnea detection and type determination method comprising a. The method of claim 13,
Diagnosing the type of sleep apnea,
And diagnosing sleep apnea according to the breathing signal and the breathing effort that is the movement of the subject. The method of claim 13,
Diagnosing the type of sleep apnea,
And when the respiratory signal is lower than the first rate set in advance compared to sleep, diagnosed as low breathing, and when the respiratory signal falls below the second rate lower than the first rate, diagnosed as apnea. The method of claim 13,
Diagnosing the type of sleep apnea,
In the state diagnosed as apnea, if the breathing effort of the subject is more than a predetermined threshold value is diagnosed as obstructive apnea, and if the breathing effort of the subject is less than a predetermined threshold value, sleep apnea characterized in that the diagnosis is central apnea Detection and type determination method. The method of claim 13,
Diagnosing the type of sleep apnea,
Sleep apnea detection and type determination method characterized in that, if the breathing effort of the subject in the state diagnosed as apnea fluctuate around the threshold value, mixed apnea.

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