Wayne State University

AIM HIGHER

Technology Commercialization

Sleep Apnea Diagnostic and Treatment Algorithm

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Categories
Computer Hardware & Software, Diagnostics
Summary
Wayne State University inventors have developed practical software models and monitoring methods that could speed and improve the diagnosis and treatment of inspiratory flow limitation and sleep apnea. A model has been developed that can accurately and rapidly analyze clinical lab data to detect inspiratory flow limitation and sleep apnea. This model replaces conventional manual analysis methods that are subjective and take several hours with software that analyzes the same data in a matter of seconds. This invention could save time, increase throughput and improve accuracy in sleep clinic environments. Complementary technology from the same inventors eliminates the need to invasively measure pressure changes in a patient’s throat, an unfortunate necessary element of current state of the art diagnostic practice. Additionally, the inventors have developed a method to accurately predict pharyngeal cross-sectional area (CSA) during sleep non-invasively using finite element analysis (FEA). Used in conjunction with the previous invention, these improvements could lead to more comfortable diagnostic tests that are easy to operate, and highly accurate self-administered tests for home diagnostics. Furthermore, these inventions may allow for significant algorithm improvements for therapeutic devices that expertly adjust flow rate during operation to insure ideal breathing profile for patients throughout the night.
File number
02-616, 03-661 & 05-728
Publications
A U.S. Patent application is on file.
Contact
Anne DiSante Director, Technology Transfer Office Phone: 313-577-5541 Fax : 313-577-2814 anne.disante@wayne.edu