Apnea detector and system

摘要

An apnea detector is disclosed. A detector unit in communication with a capacitive type sensor is adapted to receive an electrical signal which is indicative of variable capacitance resulting from movement of a subject and to emit an alert signal when the received electrical signal is indicative of symptoms of apnea. In one embodiment, a detector unit is in communication with a curvature sensor adapted to detect a variable curvature of a subject body surface resulting from breathing patterns of a subject. The detector unit is attached to an article of clothing of the subject.

主权项

1. A method of detecting apnea of a human subject using one or more capacitor plates, the method comprising at a time when at least one of the capacitor plates is mechanically coupled to an article of clothing worn by the human subject:
a) capacitively sensing a distance(s) between:
i) the mechanically coupled capacitor plate and;ii) an outer surface of the human subject's body, to generate a sensor-output electrical signal, said distance traversing a thickness of the article of clothing; b) analyzing time variations in the sensor-output electrical signal to determine if the time variations are indicative of a symptom of apnea in the subject; and c) generating an apnea alert signal that is contingent on the results of the apnea determining.