CA2836451A1

CA2836451A1 - Snore mediating mattress

Info

Publication number: CA2836451A1
Application number: CA2836451A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Peter P. Feige
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-12-16
Filing date: 2013-12-16
Publication date: 2015-06-16

Abstract

The present invention relates to a snore mediating mattress with the function of preventing snoring in users. Said snore mediating mattress provides the means to manipulate the user to promote unobstructed breathing during sleep as well as treatment for mild forms of sleep apnea. The present invention comprises a triad of microphones, a pressure sensitive layer, a network of actuators as well as an internal computer system. When snoring is detected, the internal computer system integrates signals from the microphones and pressure sensitive layer wherein a signal is sent to the network of actuators to facilitate a mechanical response relating to a change in mattress topology. Upon cessation of snoring, mattress topology is retained or returned to a pre-determined user setting.

Description

Background Snoring is an issue that is commonly seen as unimportant but snoring can have severe effects on the everyday lives of many individuals. Snoring is a common trait of mild obstructive sleep apnea, which is characteristic of intermittent closing of the airways leading to an episode of respiratory distress. As such, individuals who are overweight or posses a large neck circumference are predisposed to snoring due to the excess weight pressing upon the esophagus during sleep. Treatments for sleep apnea and snoring include positive pressure in the airways, weight loss as well as surgical means to decrease the weight experienced upon the throat during the night.
Other means to decrease the occurrence of episodes of apnea and snoring include sleeping on one's side and wearing mouth gear designed to keep the lower jaw forward, facilitating an opening of the airways.
The act of snoring can affect both those afflicted as well as any partners present at the time of the apnea. To the individual, the physiological response to respiratory distress leads to partial wakefulness as well as fatigue. The auditory response from the individual can also effect those afflicted as well as keep partners up throughout the night. A study put forth independently by Armstrong et al. Fitzpatrick et al., as well as Cartwright and Knight have shown that a significant improvement is seen in marital relations after snoring was surgically corrected. As such, snoring not only physically affects the individual but can have effects on the individual's lifestyle as well.
Decreased sleep quality due to snoring leads individuals to experience daytime sleepiness and can predispose them occupational accidents in industry as well as motor collisions. Effects on the individual due to chronic obstructive sleep apnea can also include hypertension and increased risk of stroke throughout life.
Frequently, obstructive sleep apnea goes under-diagnosed and under treated leading to increased risk to a large portion of the population. As such, there is a need for increased treatment as well as detection of obstructive sleep apnea cases.
Examples of current methods to combatting snoring include U.S. Pat. No.

for "Oscillating bed support structure" issued to Rosenbaum, E.P. Pat. No.
1655051B1 for "Rising-alarm generating apparatus" issued to Seoul, D.E. Pat.
No.
4137631A1 for "Mattress joggler for sleeper who snores "issued to Maxton.
These patents seek to combat the effects of snoring by causing the user to wake immediately upon snoring, which acts to perpetuate the sleepiness caused by snoring as the user is deprived an uninterrupted sleep. Although these patents seek to solve the problem in a novel manner, they address the effects of snoring not more importantly, the physiological cause of snoring.
Modifying instead the physical causes of snoring is a more effective means of treatment and can be accomplished by keeping the jaw forward as well as maintaining a side sleeping position throughout the night. Examples of patents addressing those issues include U.S. Pat. No. 015208A1 for "snort restraining device" issued to Konishi, E.P. Pat. No. 1645252B1 for "Removable intra-oral corrective anti-snoring device" issued to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 0006108A1 "Anti-snore garment" issued to Kerklaan. A shortcoming of these devices is that they require the apparatus to be worn by the individual, which can be problematic for visual appearances as well as a comfortable fit for the user.
Accordingly, there is a need for an effective means to maintain open airways throughout the night without waking a user as well as record information relating to sleep patterns to decrease the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea, its related disorders and effects.
Summary In the present invention, apparatus and methods are directed to mitigating snoring in a sleeping user by altering the topology of a mattress to maintain open airways.
The inventive subject matter considers users snoring and generally comprises the following steps: providing a means to monitor snoring by a triad of microphones wherein their position allows determination of the origin of the snore; a pressure sensitive layer able to determine the users posture; a network of actuators by which the user is manipulated while sleeping; a computer system by which the actuation pattern is determined; and a three phase actuation pattern to mitigate snoring.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, modifying a users posture throughout the night allows maintenance of open airways without the need for uncomfortable or unsightly apparatus used to do the same. Daytime sleepiness is reduced, as the user remains asleep throughout the night while the network of actuators modifies the user's posture to promote unobstructed breathing. As the present invention can differentiate multiple users, the present invention is able to decrease the incidence of snoring in one individual while a potential partner sleeps soundly.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description that follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Description of Drawings FIG 1. is the overall depiction of the invention along with detailed rendition of the separate layers in one embodiment of the invention FIG 2. shows a logical flow diagram for the detection of snoring as well as body posture associated with the snore mediating mattress in accordance with various embodiments of the invention FIG 3. shows a logical flow diagram for the adjustment of the snore mediating mattress topology as a three phase system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention FIG 4. depicts the mattress executing simplified actuation pattern in response to a user's snore in one embodiment of the invention Description FIG.1 is a general depiction of the snore mediating mattress along with a detailed rendition of the mattress layers in one embodiment of the invention. The present invention provides a snore mediating mattress incorporating a triad of microphones 100, a network of actuators 102, a pressure sensitive layer 104, as well as a computer system 106 that provides the means to manipulate a user's body position throughout the night to facilitate unobstructed breathing. Snoring is detected though the triad of microphones and their placement allows two longitudinal zones to be created along the mattress thereby allowing the computer system to triangulate the origin of the sound as well as user, if multiple users are present. The pressure sensitive layer 104 is located between the actuator base 108 and the actuator heads 110, without impeding their action so as to accurately determine the pressure profile of the user without the additional pressure points caused by the actuation of the user. The computer system is located within the bed support and is accessible through a wireless connection 112 to a user's mobile computing device as well as a wired port 114.
FIG.2 depicts a logic flow diagram of the snore mediating mattress in one embodiment of the invention. When the triad of microphones detects sound generated by a user, each fragment of sound from each individual microphone is sent to the computer system to be analyzed. The signals are integrated based upon frequency and auditory profile 202 and related to a threshold value for the profile of frequency fluctuation of a snore 204. If the sound observed does not match those characteristics of a snore, the system resets and awaits further audio input. If the sound observed does match the characteristics of a snore, the system integrates the amplitudes of the audio segments 200 to generate a vector map to determine the origin of the sound. The data from pressure sensitive layer relating the profile of the user based upon the pressure applied to the mattress 208 is integrated with the origin of the sound determined by the vector map 206 to determine the profile of the user generating the snore. The constructed sleeping profile is analyzed 212 by the internal computer system and the user is actuated based upon a potential three phase actuator correction program 214. All readings documented 216 throughout the use of the mattress are recorded to the internal computer 218, an external storage device or an external web hosting service where they can be made available for diagnostic purposes.
FIG.3 is a logic flow diagram of the three-phase actuator correction program of the snore mediated mattress in one embodiment of the invention. After detection of a snore, the snore mediating mattress initiates a consecutive three phase cycle to attempt to reduce the snoring experienced by the individual. As snoring is caused by throat obstruction, phase one snore mediation involves manipulating the upper airways, including the head and neck in an attempt to cause an opening in the airways with minimal intervention. The topology of the mattress is modified 300 as determined by the data received on the location of the individual as well as the profile of the individual as determined by the pressure sensitive layer. If snoring is ablated the system resets and waits additional audio input. If snoring is still detected by the triad of microphones after a set amount of time the computer will initiate phase two snore mediation.
In phase two snore mediation, an attempt is made to turn the user onto a side sleeping position in order to decrease the amount of weight experienced by the throat as thus decrease snoring and increase sleep quality. If the user is not deemed to be in a linear sleeping position 302 by the pressure sensitive layer the system systematically manipulates the user's limbs 304 by means of creating a pocket for which the limb can occupy while simultaneously raising the local topology to keep the limb level while it is maneuvered into an appropriate position. As such, there are no sharp movements of the limbs that may act to wake the user. The computer system attempts to maneuver the limb based upon the reference point of the most appropriate joint 304 as determined by the pressure sensitive layer. If the snore mediating mattress determines the user is in a linear sleeping position 302, the computer system creates a likely destination and appropriate path for the user to occupy. If no apparent solution is feasible 306 by the computer system, the computer system will then initiate the third phase of snore mediation. If a feasible solution is determined, the local topography is modified 308 in order to create a pocket along the edge of the user in the direction of movement for which the user can occupy while simultaneously raising the actuators along the edge profile of the user that is facing away form the direction of movement, whereby the user is inclined to occupy space formed based upon the users side profile and physical characteristics. The topology is modified until the user is in the desired side facing position 310 whereupon the triad of microphones monitors for snoring. If snoring is not detected after a set amount of time, the system resets and waits additional audio input. If snoring is not ablated, the system initiates phase three snore mediation.
In phase three snore mediation an attempt is made to stimulate the user to change positions independently and create an open airway to facilitate proper breathing.
The computer system reintegrates the data acquired by the pressure sensitive layer and selects an appropriate high-pressure area 312 or a separate suitable location and initiates the appropriate actuators 314 to stimulate in that location. The user is stimulated gently based upon user preference, after which point the triad of microphones monitors for a snore. If a snore is detected within a set amount of time, the high-pressure area is stimulated until the triad of microphones detects no further snoring and the system resets and awaits further audio input.
In the event any of the actuators reach the lower limit of their movement 316, all current actuator manipulation is halted 318 and all the appropriate actuators are raised simultaneously without compromising the current sleeping profile of the user 320 or the sleeping profile of any other users present. Likewise, if an actuator reaches the upper limit of its movement 316, all current manipulation is halted and all the appropriate actuators are lowered simultaneously without compromising the current sleeping profile of the user 320 or the sleeping profile of any other users present. In both cases, the actuators continue to move in unity until an average midline is achieved 320 whereby all actuators have the ability to deviate form the midline vertically in both directions.
The internal computer system present is responsible for the integration of the signals from the triad of microphones as well as pressure sensitive layer and is also selectively customizable by the user. As the internal computer system is disposed within the mattress body, an external port is present which allows the user to connect to an external personal computer or smartphone. Such a connection is also possible in a wireless format such as Bluetooth or wireless Internet connection. The user is able to program the system to selectively avoid certain locations of the body based upon preference or medical complications. Likewise, the user can program the system to have preferred posture specifications to accommodate underlying medical conditions or similar complications.
An additional embodiment of the invention can include safety settings, which can be applied for the young, or elderly wherein the pressure sensitive layer detects if the user is approaching the edge of the bed whereupon the signal is transmitted from the computer system to the actuators to cause a lift in the actuators along the edge of the bed. As such modifying the mattress topology can decrease the chance of bed falls in retirement homes and decrease the healthcare cost associated with hip injuries in the elderly.
An additional embodiment of the invention can include the methods included in phase two snore mediation being applied to turning patients throughout the night in a hospital setting to decrease the need for nurses turning patients. As such, the mattress system will manipulate patients and initiate a turn without the need for nurse intervention, thereby decreasing the strain on the nurses.
Another embodiment of the invention can include the methods included in phase two snore mediation being applied to maintaining an elevated position for limbs after surgery to increase limb drainage. As such, the computer system could manipulate the patient while maintaining any given limb at an increased angle relative the horizontal to increase limb drainage without the need to hammock casts.
Another embodiment of the invention can include the methods included in phase two snore mediation being applied to increasing the comfort of sleep for pregnant women. As such, a pregnant woman can assume a side sleeping position without discomfort due to the presence of a swollen abdomen.
Another embodiment of the invention can include the methods included in phase three snore mediation being applied as a rising alarm function for an individual, specifically an individual who is hearing impaired to whom an auditory rising alarm would be non-functional.

Another embodiment of the invention can include integrating the data acquired from the pressure sensitive layer, triad of microphones and actuator network to produce a timeline of movement the user underwent throughout the night. Such a digital representation of the position as well as sleep quality of an individual can provide a valuable resource to doctors in the treatment and understanding of abnormal sleep patterns in the user.

Claims

Claims The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A snore mediating mattress comprising: a triad of microphones to determine snoring and origin, a network of actuators which posses a base portion as well as head portion to manipulate a user, a pressure sensitive layer to determine the position and posture of an individual, an internal computer system to control the system and retain data on sleep quality.

2. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 1, wherein the triad of microphones determine the presence of a snore by comparing the auditory profile of the detected sound to that of a threshold value relating to a profile typical for snoring

3. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 2, wherein the triad of microphones are positioned so as to divide the bed into two longitudinal zones wherein snore detection can be isolated to a single user if multiple users are present thereby providing information to the internal computer system based upon which user is snoring.

4. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 3, wherein the origin of the user is determined by integrating the segmentation of each audio signal in relation to amplitude of the detected sound

5. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 4, wherein the microphones are connected to the internal computer system by means of wires

6. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 1, wherein the network of actuators are disposed within the mattress body and are composed of a base portion and a moving head portion wherein the force supplied is pneumatic, mechanical or hydraulic.

7. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 6, wherein the actuator heads are composed of a rod with a firm plastic semi-ovalescent dome positioned at the distal end.

8. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 7, wherein the actuator base is in communication with the internal computer system by means of wires.

9. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 8, wherein the pressure sensitive layer detects the pressure profile of a user based upon their sleeping posture at the time of detection.

10. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 9, wherein the pressure sensitive layer is disposed within the mattress body wherein the sensor is positioned between the actuator base and actuator heads.

11. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 10, wherein the pressure sensitive layer is in communication with the internal computer system by means of wires.

12. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 11, wherein the internal computer system receives the signals from the triad of microphones as well as the pressure sensitive layer and interprets the data based upon user preference and then communicates the signals to the network of actuators thereby causing a mechanical response.

13. The snore mediating mattress as in claim 12, wherein the internal computer system is disposed within the mattress body and able to communicate with external devices via an external port as well as wireless connection.

14. A method of user manipulation which comprises a computer system integrating and recording signals from a pressure sensitive layer, snore detecting microphones to that of a network of actuators thereby causing a mechanical response based upon a set of logical rules.

15. The method of user manipulation in claim 14, wherein a detection of a snore is facilitated by the auditory profile surpassing a pre determined snoring threshold and profile as determined by signal transmitted to the computer system from the microphone.

16. The method of user manipulation in claim 15, wherein upon detection of a snore, body posture is determined based upon the pressure profile of an individual as established by the pressure sensitive layer whereupon the profile is integrated by the computer system to cause a mechanical response in the network of actuators.

17. The method of user manipulation in claim 16, wherein the users body posture is manipulated in response to snoring by a topological change in the network of actuators as determined by the computer system to facilitate an opening of obstructed airways.

18. The method of user manipulation in claim 17, wherein failure to cease snoring in user will initiate the computer system to modify the topology in the network of actuators as to manipulate the limbs of the user in an attempt to facilitate a more linear sleeping position.

19. The method of user manipulation in claim 18, wherein once a linear sleeping position is achieved the computer system modifies the topology of the actuator system to stimulate the user to shift to a side sleeping position.

20. The method of user manipulation in claim 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, wherein the topology change in the actuator system can include an increase in actuator height along the edge of the object away from the direction of movement and a decrease in actuator height along the edge of the object in the direction of movement.

21. The method of user manipulation in claim 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, wherein the topology change in the actuator system can include an increase in actuator height along the edge of the object away from the direction of movement and a decrease in actuator height along the edge of the object in the direction of movement while simultaneously maintaining the vertical displacement of the limb.

22. The method of user manipulation in claim 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 wherein if the actuators reach the lower limit of movement the topology of the user is maintained while all actuators are simultaneously raised until any actuator reaches the upper limit of movement whereupon topology changes can be facilitated.

23. The method of user manipulation in claim 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, wherein the topology change in the actuators can be set by the user to avoid pressure being applied to certain parts of the body.

24. The method of user manipulation in claim 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, wherein the manipulation of the user due to snoring is recorded by the computer system.

25. The method of user manipulation in claim 24, wherein the storage of data recorded by the system is written to the internal storage of the internal computer system, an external storage device or a web hosting service.