To say that today’s society is advanced is a huge understatement. Who’d have ever imagined that we’d have all of the technological advances that we have today, in all areas of life? From the medical field to the automotive industry, technology continues to grow and advance on a yearly basis. There have been plenty of breakthroughs in the medical field that make diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of certain health conditions much easier. From smaller-sized CPAP machines, highly intricate dental tools, and PSG technology, advances in the dental world continue.
If you have ever had to undergo a sleep study or know someone who has, you probably know or have heard all about the many wires required to successfully measure and gather the needed data, such as heart rate, breathing rate, etc. In an effort to do away with these cumbersome wires, Neal Patwari and other researchers at the University of Utah have designed a network that can monitor a patient’s sleeping patterns through walls.
Wireless Monitoring – Convenient and Easy
The system is made up of 20 wireless transceivers that could be placed around a patient. The network is able to measure respiration within 0.4-0.2 breaths per minute. Such a network could be used to monitor and record a patient’s breathing patterns. This means a patient can be closely observed and monitored by doctors to ensure that sleeping patterns remain constant and at healthy levels.
Though such a technology won’t be easily implemented today or a year from now, it’s obvious that such advances are sure to lead to lower cost, less invasive alternatives to diagnosing sleep apnea. But, until such technologies are readily available for use, patients need to undergo traditional PSG sleep studies for proper diagnosis.
Dr. Siegel urges all patients who suffer from common symptoms of sleep apnea to undergo a sleep study ASAP. Sleep studies are offered by sleep physicians who are well-equipped to offer a sound diagnosis. Dr. Siegel can help patients find the sleep apnea treatment that is most suitable for their lifestyle and specific needs. Want to learn more about sleep apnea treatment? If so, call or email us to get the information you need. It could change your life!
