Breathing Detection in a Portable Apnea Detection Unit

Apnea, the suspension of breathing, is a condition that affects millions of people; many of whom are completely unaware of the condition. Apnea can contribute to a variety of life threatening medical conditions. Clarkson Honors student Douglas Dawson has designed a system for portable apnea detection and user notification through the use of a microprocessor controlled blood oxygen sensor. I propose an extension of this work by integrating a patient worn microphone that will serve as a secondary means of detecting apnea events. The resulting device will be a discreetly wearable monitor that records both oxygen saturation of the blood and respiratory rate in order to alert the of an apnea event and help them to recover. The combination of respiratory rate and blood oxygen saturation data will also provide doctors with a detailed image of what their patient is experiencing providing a valuable tool for diagnosis and monitoring. Use of the device with appropriate biofeedback software could also provide the behavioral feedback necessary to retrain the user’s breathing response, which is part voluntary, resulting in fewer and less severe apnea events, thus improving patient health.