BREATHING SOUND ANALYSIS FOR ESTIMATION OF AIR FLOW RATE

摘要

Apparatus for use detection of apnea includes a microphone mounted in the ear of the patient for detecting breathing sounds and a second external microphone together with an oximetric sensor. A transmitter at the patient compresses and transmits the signals to a remote location where there is provided a detector module for receiving and analyzing the signals to extract data relating to the breathing. The detector uses the entropy or range of the signal to generate an estimate of air flow while extracting extraneous snoring and heart sounds and to analyze the estimate of air flow using Otsu's threshold to detect periods of apnea and/or hypopnea. A display provides data of the detected apnea/hypopnea episodes and related information for a clinician.