Realization and Evaluation of an Inertial-Based MMG/MRG/MAG/MSG/MCG Sensing Modules in Negative Resistive Respiratory Muscle Training, Home PSG System and Biofeedback Airway Blockage Release Technical Aid

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a major sleep disorder, caused due to the partial obstruction or complete blockage of the upper air way during sleep. Sleep fragmentation, poor mental state, daytime dizziness, arousal and loud snoring are also typical features of OSAS. Upper airway muscles play a very important role in terms of maintaining the upper airway open during sleep. Weakness in the respiratory muscle leads to Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Past studies suggest that resistive inspiratory muscle training improves the strength of upper airway muscles. In this research proposal, a series of medical devices for respiratory muscle training, home-used sleep monitoring, and upper airway blockage release therapy will be developed for OSAS patients. The mechnomyography (MMG), mechanorespiratography (MRG), mechanoactivography (MAG), mechanosnorography (MSG) and mechanocardiography (MCG) will be extracted using physiological signals collected in different body surfaces by inertia-based sensors. These featured signals will then be incorporated with SpO2 signal in the control loop design for the proposed medical devices (i.e. airway negative resistive respiratory muscle training module, home-used sleep monitoring system, and pneumatic controlled smart pillow) for OSAS patients. This three-year research project consists of following major tasks: First year: Development of real-time MMG monitoring airway negative resistive respiratory muscle training module. Major tasks consist of (1) Establish a MMG measuring module for pilot study; (2) Integrating a Powerlab monitoring plateform for respiratory physiological responses and MMT signal; (3) Developing an upper airway negative resistive respiratory muscle training module; (4) Clinical assessment of propsed resistive respiratory muscle training protocol. Second year: Development of home-used sleep monitoring system. Major tasks consist of (1) Development of a multi-channel real-time synchronized MXG monitoring companion modules; (2) (2) Development home-used sleep monitoring APPs; (3) Development of home-used sleep monitoring system for respiratory responses and activities; (4) Clinical assessment of propsed home-used sleep monitoring system. Third year: Development of a pneumatic controlled smart pillow for airway blockage release therapy. Major tasks consist of (1) Design of a pneumatic controller head position adjustment smart pillow; (2) Design of closed-loop control and user-interface software ； (3) Development of a biofeedback upper airway blockage release therapeutic smart pillow; (4) Functional and clinical assessment of the proposed smart pillow. Upon completing of this research project, the proposed inertia-based MXG monitoring modules can be further extended and utilized in developing other wearable body sensor network devices for healthcare monitoring. In addition, the upper airway negative resistive respiratory muscle training module, home-used sleep monitoring system, and pneumatic controlled smart pillow developed in this research project may be packaged as a total solution for training, home monitoring, and therapy in OSAS patients.

Project ID:PC10408-1517
External Project ID:MOST104-2221-E182-076