Sleep diagnosis in one´s own bed

A multisenorial ambulatory sleep system for the diagnostics of neurological and respiratory disorders is currently developed within a research cooperation. The system makes a medical sleep examination possible. By the use of wireless data transmission, the patient’s mobility and the comfort of carrying it are ameliorated considerably.

The pilot study for that purpose will start in autumn 2007 in a sleep laboratory. Several signal concentrators, which contain the components for the wireless data transmission and the acquisition of the signals, are applied to the patient. The system includes 14 signals (prescribed by the DGSM – German Sleep Society – for fixed systems) and allows a significantly wider range of examination in the ambulant field as so far. In addition to the nightly stay in the sleep laboratory, the achieved scope of examination facilitates a cogent ambulatory diagnosis, also for unclear symptoms.

The wireless connection of the concentrators ameliorates the patient’s mobility and consequently the sleep comfort during the examination. Therefore measurement results are more realistic. The sensors are installed before starting to sleep. The installation is assisted by a user guidance and can be undertaken by the patient him-/herself or a helper after some instructions from the physician. This system is also suitable for the realization of other medical sleep examinations like daytime sleepiness among professional drivers.

Project Partners:

RECO MEDIZINTECHNIK WOLFGANG RENTSCH e.K – Coordinator
Fraunhofer Institut for Photonic Microsystems
Technische Universität Dresden, Institut für Mikrosystemtechnik
SMT & Hybrid GmbH
The project is supported by the Free State of Saxony.