WO1998029034A1

WO1998029034A1 - Breathing regulator

Info

Publication number: WO1998029034A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/024091
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karim Esmailzadeh
Original assignee: Karim Esmailzadeh
Priority date: 1997-01-02
Filing date: 1997-12-30
Publication date: 1998-07-09
Also published as: AU5724998A

Abstract

The breathing regulator generally comprises a breath sensing means to determine whether a user has or has not taken a breath. If a breath has not been taken the breath sensing means sends a signal to a controller which initiates a warning means, which can be timed, that encourages the user to take a breath. The breath sensing means may comprise any number of devices such as a thermocouple, microphone, pulse oximeter, air movement probe, motion probe or carbon dioxide/monoxide detector. The warning means may also come in a number of forms. For instance, a vibrator, electrical shocking device or a sound emanating device may serve as a warning to the user that a breath should be taken.

Description

BREATHING REGULATOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device for regulating a bodily function and more particularly to a device for encouraging regular breathing especially during sleep.

Breathing improperly is known to cause problems due to a body receiving an inadequate quantity of oxygen causing physiological effects. For example, failure to breathe properly during sleep is known to cause a person to indicate symptoms of sleepiness during waking hours, fatigue and reduced health.

While sleeping the problem known as obstructive sleep apnoea is a common disorder, particularly in middle age people. The problem is a sleep-induced blockage of the airway which results in apnoeic episodes during sleep. The sleep is fragmented causing continuing degeneration over months or years. This continuing degeneration worsens the problem with the apnoeic episode frequently exceeding two minutes in a sleeper and causing the blood/oxygen saturation level to fall below 90% .

As a person sleeps, the nasal air passageway from the nose to the lungs may become partially blocked or interrupted by tissues, such as the tongue, in the throat and mouth area. The obstruction of the airway causes a degree of asphyxia in the sleeper due to reduced oxygen being absorbed into the body. This obstruction may cause the sleeper to wake frequently during the sleeping time to breathe, resulting in insufficient rest. Major symptoms of the sleep apnoea problem are excessive daytime sleepiness and snoring. The daytime sleepiness is due to the sleep apnoea problem preventing a sleeper from getting sufficient rest while sleeping. Snoring may be associated with this obstruction as an indication of blockage of the airway leading to the lungs. The partial asphyxia may cause a variety of problems in the sleeper including hypertension, heart problems, headaches, and personality changes.

The obstructive sleep apnoea has also been linked to stroke mortality, myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. More than 75% of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea have been reported having a variation in heart rate referred to as Brady tachy- arrhythmia. Studies have shown that the heart rate slows with the cessation of ventilation during obstructive sleep apnoea and the extent of slowing correlates to the duration and amount of oxygen desaturation caused by the problem. The heart rate increases suddenly as the sleeper wakes and the obstructive apnoea is terminated. This variation in heart rate has been shown to reduce the amount of oxygen distributed to the body. The combination of reduced heart rate and reduced oxygen distribution have been linked to the problems of myocardial infarction, sudden death and stroke.

The problem of obstructive sleep apnoea may be caused by reduced pressure in the body airway during inspiration which urges the tongue and soft palate to block the body airway. There has also been evidence that failure of muscles in the throat may further allow blockage of the body airway. Furthermore, the suction created by a sleeper having airway resistance in the mouth or nose region may cause additional pressure causing the body airway to collapse. Gravity may also force the mouth into an open position allowing the tongue, soft palate and pharynx to block the body airway.

Surgically opening the airway at the throat of the sleeper and the use of a pneumatic pressurizing system have been tried to prevent blockage of the airway and allow a sleeper sufficient airflow into the lungs to prevent these problems. The pneumatic pressurizing system has been used to provide a continuous positive body airway pressure acting as a pneumatic splint in holding the body airway in communication with a pressurizing device which supplies air to the nasal passageway. Surgically opening the airway through a tracheostomy, that is to be left open at night, is affective at relieving the obstructive sleep apnoea. Both of these previously tried solutions are expensive and difficult to tolerate.

In view of the above, there is a need for a non-invasive, inexpensive breathing regulator that will be helpful in solving the problems associated with obstructive sleep apnea and other breathing and/or sleeping disorders. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The breathing regulator generally comprises a breath sensing means to determine whether a user has or has not taken a breath. If a breath has not been taken the breath sensing means sends a signal to a controller which initiates a warning means, which can be timed, that encourages the user to take a breath.

An object and advantage of the present invention is that the breathing regulator is a non-invasive device that will cause little, if any, discomfort to the user.

Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the breathing regulator is of a relatively simple and inexpensive design that would be affordable to almost all individuals.

Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is that the breathing regulator allows a user to choose from a number of breath sensing means and warning means. The user can choose which ever means are most appropriate and/or comfortable for their use.

Yet another object and advantage is believed that oxygen taken in through the nose, a portion of which goes directly to the brain through the nose cavity and blood vessel absorption, works well with the breathing regulator.

Still another object and advantage of the present invention is that with continued use of the breathing regulator many of the problems of obstructive sleep apnoea and other sleeping disorders may be overcome and normal, consistent breathing patterns during sleep may actually be restored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where: FIG. 1 depicts the main components of the breathing regulator; and

FIG. 2 depicts a simplified version of the breathing regulator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The breathing regulator 10 generally comprises a control system 20, a breath sensing means 15, a warning means 25 and a power supply 30.

The control system 20 may comprise an integrated circuit or actual component parts, either of which is powered by an electrical supply 30. For convenience, the electrical supply 30 may comprise a battery that may or may not be self contained within the control system 20. The control system 20 is adapted to receive a breath sensing signal from the breath sensing means 15, to output a warning signal to the warning means 25 and may incorporate an on/off timer 33.

Basic operation of the breathing regulator 10 is as follows: (1) the breath sensing means 15 detects whether or not a breath has been taken by a user; (2) the breath sensing signal correlative to whether a breath has or has not been taken is sent from the breath sensing means 15 to the control system 20; (3) the control system 20 reads the breath sensing signal; (4) if a breath has been taken no further action by the control system 20 is taken. However, if a breath has not been taken the control system 20 outputs the warning signal; (5) the warning signal initiates the warning means 25 that encourages the user to breathe; (6) the warning means 25 continues operating until the breath sensing means 15 sends a breath sensing signal to the control system 20 that a breath has been taken.

Alternatively, the control system 20 may incorporate an on/off timer 33. The use of the timer 33 produces operation of the breathing regulator 10 as follows: (1) the breath sensing means 15 detects whether or not a breath has been taken by a user; (2) the breath sensing signal correlative to whether a breath has or has not been taken is sent from the breath sensing means 15 to the control system 20; (3) the control system 20 reads the breath sensing signal; (4) if a breath has been taken no further action by the control system 20 is taken. However, if a breath has not been taken the control system 20 outputs the warning signal; (5) the warning signal simultaneously turns on the timer 33 and the warning means 25; (6) the warning means 25 continues operation until the timer 33, set for a predetermined "on" time, times out (or shuts "off) at which time the timer 33 is reset to await another warning signal from the control system 20.

The breath sensing means 15 may consist of any number of various devices. For instance, the breath sensing means 15 may be a thermocouple that is attached to the nose and mouth. The thermocouple detects the differential air temperature between the nose and mouth. If the differential air temperature is low, this indicates that a breath has not been taken and a correlative breath sensing signal is sent to the control system 20 whereby operation of the breathing regulator 10 continues as described above.

Alternatively, the breath sensing means 20 may consist of microphones attached to the nose and mouth to detect noise arising from breathing. If no noise is detected, this indicates that a breath has not been taken and a correlative breath sensing signal is sent to the control system 20 whereby operation of the breathing regulator 10 continues as described above.

Yet another alternative for a breath sensing means 15 is a pulse oximeter. The pulse oximeter may be attached to the finger or toe of an individual to monitor the amount of oxygen saturation in the blood. If the oxygen saturation is low, this indicates that a breath has not been taken and a correlative breath sensing signal is sent to the control system 20 whereby operation of the breathing regulator 10 continues as described above.

Yet another alternative for a breath sensing means 15 is an air movement probe. The air movement probe is attached to the nose and mouth to detect the amount of air rushing past it. If the probe detects only a small amount of rushing air, this indicates that a breath has not been taken and a correlative breath sensing signal is sent to the control system 20 whereby operation of the breathing regulator 10 continues as described above.

Further alternatives for the breath sensing means 15 include: (1) using a motion probe attached to breathing muscles or body parts, i.e. the chest, to detect movement, little movement indicating that a breath is necessary; (2) using a carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide analyzer to detect breathing, low levels of carbon dioxide and monoxide indicating that a breath is necessary; and (3) other means available now or in the future for determining whether a breath has been taken. Each of these devices, having detected that a breath has not been taken sends a correlative breath sensing signal to the control system 20 whereby operation of the breathing regulator 10 continues as described above.

The warning means 25 may also take many forms. For instance, the warning signal from the control system 20 may initiate a vibrator which may appropriately rest or be strapped to an individuals neck, arm, hand, leg, chest or other appropriate body part. Alternatively, the warning signal from the control system 20 may initiate a small electrical sensation or shock to the body. Yet another alternative for the warning means 25 is to initiate a sound in or nearby the ear. Each of these warning means 25 notifies the user that it is necessary to take a breath. While initially, this notification may awaken the user from sleep, after continued use the user will be conditioned to breathe without awakening. Continued use of the breathing regulator 10 may actually restore normal and healthy breathing patterns to the user. Further, the warning means 25 of the breathing regulator will encourage breathing before sleep induced-blockage of the airway can occur. In this manner, the breathing regulator 10 will help to overcome many of the problems associated with obstructive sleep apnea and other breathing and/or sleeping disorders.

Note that the on/off timer 33, is a standard timer circuit incorporated into the control system 20. The timer 33 may have an adjustable "on" time or may be manufactured with a preset "on" time. An "on" time of 2.5 seconds is appropriate; this means that the warning means 25 will operate for 2.5 seconds which is approximately the average length of time that a person inhales during a breath.

A simplified version of the breathing regulator 10 is shown in Figure 2 and comprises a warning means 25 such as a vibrator, a power supply 30 and a timer 35. Essentially, the breathing regulator 10 of Figure 2 is an electrically supplied, timer controlled vibrator that is attachable to the body, preferably in a position close to the shoulder and/or neck. The timer 35 is set with a five second cycle (two and one-half seconds "on" and two and one-half seconds "off"). When the timer 35 is "on" the vibrator, operating as the warning means 25, is vibrating encouraging the user to breathe. As a user continues use of the breathing regulator 10, the user's breathing will become synchronized to the cycle of two and one-half second inhaling ("on") and two and one-half second exhaling ("off) resulting in a safe twelve breaths per minute. The timer 35 may be adjustable such that various cycles can be set for more or less breaths per minute as required. As above, a small electric shock or sound could be used as the warning means 25 in combination with the timer 35 and achieve similar breath regulating results. A "DAYTON"^® Solid State Time Delay Relay has been found to work well as the timer 35 in this application.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the essential attributes thereof; therefore, the illustrated embodiment should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A breathing regulator apparatus for encouraging regular breathing especially during sleep, comprising:

(a) breath sensing means for determining whether or not a breath has been taken by a user, said breath sensing means adapted to output a correlative breath sensing signal;

(b) warning means, said warning means adapted to be turned on and off, said warning means, when on, serving to warn the user that a breath should be taken; and

(c) control means for accepting said breath sensing signal and turning on said warning means when said breath sensing signal indicates that a breath has not been taken, and for turning off said warning signal when said sensing signal indicates that a breath has been taken.

2. The breathing regulator of claim 1, wherein said warning means comprises a vibrator.

3. The breathing regulator of claim 1, wherein said warning means comprises an electrical shocking device.

4. The breathing regulator of claim 1, wherein said warning means comprises a sound emanating device.

5. The breathing regulator of claim 1, wherein said breath sensing means comprises a thermocouple.

6. The breathing regulator of claim 1 , wherein said breath sensing means comprises a microphone.

7. The breathing regulator of claim 1 , wherein said breath sensing means comprises a pulse oximeter.

8. The breathing regulator of claim 1, wherein said breath sensing means comprises an air movement probe.

9. The breathing regulator of claim 1, wherein said breath sensing means comprises a carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide analyzer.

10. The breathing regulator of claim 1, wherein said breath sensing means comprises a motion probe.

11. A breathing regulator apparatus for encouraging regular breathing especially during sleep, comprising:

(b) warning means for warning the user that a breath should be taken; and

(c) control means having a timer, said control means for accepting said breath sensing signal, for turning on said timer for a predetermined time when said breath sensing signal indicates that a breath has not been taken by the user, and for turning off said timer when said breath sensing signal indicates that a breath has been taken by the user, said warning means adapted to turn on and off synchronously with said timer.

12. The breathing regulator of claim 11, wherein said warning means comprises a vibrator.

13. The breathing regulator of claim 11 , wherein said warning means comprises an electrical shocking device.

14. The breathing regulator of claim 11, wherein said warning means comprises a sound emanating device.

15. The breathing regulator of claim 11 , wherein said breath sensing means comprises a thermocouple.

16. The breathing regulator of claim 11 , wherein said breath sensing means comprises a microphone.

17. The breathing regulator of claim 11, wherein said breath sensing means comprises a pulse oximeter.

18. The breathing regulator of claim 11 , wherein said breath sensing means comprises an air movement probe.

19. The breathing regulator of claim 11, wherein said breath sensing means comprises a carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide analyzer.

20. The breathing regulator of claim 11 , wherein said breath sensing means comprises a motion probe.

21. A breathing regulator, for encouraging regular breathing especially during sleep, comprising:

(a) a timer, said timer adapted to turn on for a predetermined time and turn off for a predetermined time; and

(b) warning means, said warning means adapted to turn on and off synchronously with said timer, said warning means, when on, serving to warn a user that a breath should be taken.

22. The breathing regulator of claim 1, wherein said warning means comprises a vibrating device.

23. The breathing regulator of claim 1, wherein said warning means comprises an electrical shocking device.

24. The breathing regulator of claim 1 , wherein said warning means comprises a sound emanating device.

25. The breathing regulator of claim 1, wherein said timer has a predetermined on time of two and one-half seconds and a predetermined off time for two and one-half seconds.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[recei ved by the International Bureau on 19 June 1998 ( 19.06.98 ) ; ori gina l c l a ims 1 - 10 cance l led ; orig ina l c l a ims 1 1 -25 amended ( 3 pages ) ]

(a) warning means for warning the user that a breath should be taken; and

(b) control means having a timer, said control means for accepting said breath sensing signal, for turning on said timer for a predetermined time when said breath sensing signal indicates that a breath has not been taken by the user, and for turning off said timer when said breath sensing signal indicates that a breath has been taken by the user, said warning means adapted to turn on and off synchronously with said timer.

13. The breathing regulator of claim 11, wherein said warning means comprises an electrical shocking device.

14. The breathing regulator of claim 1 1 , wherein said warning means comprises a sound emanating device.

15. The breathing regulator of claim 1 1, further comprising breath sensing means which comprises a thermocouple.

16. The breathing regulator of claim 11 , further comprising breath sensing means which comprises a microphone.

17. The breathing regulator of claim 11 , further comprising breath sensing means which comprises a pulse oximeter.

18. The breathing regulator of claim 11, further comprising breath sensing means which comprises an air movement probe.

19. The breathing regulator of claim 11, further comprising breath sensing means which comprises a carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide analyzer.

20. The breathing regulator of claim 11, further comprising breath sensing means which comprises a motion probe.

22. The breathing regulator of claim 21, wherein said warning means comprises a vibrating device.

23. The breathing regulator of claim 21 , wherein said warning means comprises an electrical shocking device.

24. The breathing regulator of claim 21, wherein said warning means comprises a sound emanating device.

25. The breathing regulator of claim 21, wherein said timer has a predetermined on time of two and one-half seconds and a predetermined off time for two and one-half seconds.