Smart patches for apnoe control

2023: Patch Entry to Market

On May 24, 2023, U.S. researchers at Georgia Tech reported the development of a new technology to control obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) at home. The method is based on the use of smart patches applied to the face.

OSA is a common pathology that manifests itself in the form of multiple episodes of partial or complete overlap of the upper respiratory tract in sleep. This leads to respiratory arrest, followed by awakening and restoration of the respiratory rhythm. The disease affects millions of people around the world, but many are undiagnosed and untreated. Usually, to pass the apnea test, patients have to sleep in the clinic with numerous wired sensors attached to their skin. But unfamiliar surroundings and electrical wiring can prevent them from sleeping as normal. In addition, such a study collects physiological data for only one night. The new system solves these problems.

Smart patches for apnoe control

The set consists of two thin silicone pads, one of which covers the area around the eyes and forehead, and the other is fixed to the chin. For several nights, when the patient is in the usual home conditions, the electrodes in the patches record the activity of his brain and facial muscles.

The collected data is transferred to an application on a smartphone, where it is analyzed using algorithms based on artificial intelligence. Thus, the program can determine the severity of sleep apnea, which allows doctors to make the optimal course of therapy. Studies have shown that the proposed method provides 88.5% accuracy compared to conventional clinical methods. At the same time, patients do not experience discomfort and can sleep at home. The novelty is expected to be an alternative to more expensive medical procedures in hospitals.^[1]

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