Method for Registering Movement of the Chest at the Diagnosis of the Sleep Apnea

Abstract

The paper considers the actual problem of the development of instrumental methods of examination and diagnostics of carotid apnea. These methods don’t require the constant presence of health personnel and the expensive equipment. The authors proposed a method of registering movement of the chest using a micromechanical accelerometer with extremely small dimensions, low weight, power consumption and cost, along with sensor control oro-nasal flow and pulse oximeter, it allows the recognition of the type of apnea. During experimental studies, the accelerometer was placed on the chest, measuring the total vector acceleration due to the movement of the chest and the acceleration of free fall. Mathematical modeling of signal processing has allowed the optimal lowpass filter Butterworth 6th order, ensuring the selection of the useful signal. The article presents the results of measuring the acceleration along the x-axis and z-axis with continuous breathing and temporary stop. The results of measuring acceleration along three axes showed that the most significant for registration are the x-axis and z-axis. The use of proposed method of measuring the motion of the thorax by means of accelerometers allows to detecting the cessation of breathing, the time lag isn’t more than 0.5 seconds. This method can be used in addition to the pulse oximeter sensors and oro-nasal flow, which will provide registration apnea.