System and Method for Visualizing Sleep-Related Information

Abstract

A method for improved visualization of information related to the physiology of a sleeping patient is disclosed. Physiological information from the patient is obtained by a device, converted to digital format, and transformed into physiological data of two or more types. Physiological data of two or more types are combined into a compact graphical display representing data from all physiological data types.

1 . A method for displaying sleep related physiological information, the method comprising:
 outputting an image of a spatial region having a first axis representing time and a second axis intersecting the first axis, the second axis representing at least an intensity measurement; and   outputting within the spatial region provided by the first axis and the second axis an envelope trace of sound associated with sleep, the envelope trace of sound including a plurality of graphical components within the envelope trace; each of the plurality of graphical components being associated with a determined time provided on the first axis representing time; whereupon at least one of the plurality of graphical components represents a degree of snoring during the determined time associated with the graphical component.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the graphical components are areas of substantially uniform color or texture pattern having borders substantially perpendicular to the first axis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the graphical components have an upper border substantially conforming to the envelope trace. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the graphical components have a lower border substantially conforming to a baseline of the envelope trace. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the graphical components have a lower border substantially conforming to a baseline of the envelope trace. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of a plurality of graphical components has an associated visible color, a characteristic of the visible color being indicative of a degree of snoring. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein at least three visually distinguishable colors are present in the spatial region, each of the visually distinguishable colors being associated with at least a graphical component in the spatial region. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of the graphical components have an associated determined time of duration less than or equal to one-half second. 
     
     
         9 . A method for displaying physiological information associated with a sleep period of a mammal, the method comprising:
 outputting an image of a spatial region having a first axis representing a time interval associated with the sleep period, and a second axis intersecting the first axis, the second axis representing at least an intensity measurement;   outputting within the spatial region provided by the first axis and the second axis an envelope trace of respiratory sound associated with the mammal during the time interval; and   outputting within the spatial region provided by the first axis and the second axis a first plurality of graphical components, each of the first plurality of graphical components being associated with a determined time period provided on the first axis representing time, whereupon:
 at least one of the first plurality of graphical components represents a degree of snoring during the determined time associated with the graphical component, the representation of snoring deriving from a color or texture pattern of the graphical component; and 
 each of the first plurality of graphical components has a top border that substantially conforms to the envelope trace and side borders that are substantially perpendicular to the first axis or substantially conform to the envelope trace. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a greater degree of color saturation or a greater degree of color darkness of a graphical component is indicative of a greater degree of snoring by the mammal during the determined time associated with the graphical component. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the duration of the determined time period of a graphical component is less than or equal to the duration of an inhalation by the mammal. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the duration of the determined time period of a graphical component is less than or equal to one second. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising outputting within the spatial region provided by the first axis and the second axis a second plurality of graphical components, each of the second plurality of graphical components being associated with a determined time period provided on the first axis representing time, whereupon:
 at least one of the second plurality of graphical components represents a limb movement by the mammal during the determined time associated with the graphical component; and 
 each of the second plurality of graphical components has a substantially rectangular shape, with side borders substantially perpendicular to the first axis, top border substantially at the maximum extent of the second axis, and bottom border substantially at the minimum extent of the second axis. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising outputting within the spatial region provided by the first axis and second axis a third plurality of graphical components, each of the third plurality of graphical components being associated with a determined time period on the first axis representing time, whereupon:
 at least one of the third plurality of graphical components represents a body position of the mammal during the determined time associated with the graphical component; and 
 each of the third plurality of graphical components has substantially linear sub-components parallel to the first axis and positioned substantially between the maximum extent of the second axis and the minimum extent of the second axis. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising outputting within the spatial region provided by the first axis and second axis a fourth plurality of graphical components, each of the fourth plurality of graphical components being associated with a determined time period on the first axis representing time, whereupon:
 at least one of the fourth plurality of graphical components represents respiratory airflow of the mammal during the determined time associated with the graphical component; and 
 each of the fourth plurality of graphical components has a top border that is substantially parallel to the first axis at substantially the maximum extent of the second axis, has side borders that are substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and has a bottom border that substantially conforms to the envelope trace or is substantially at the minimum extent of the second axis. 
 
     
     
         16 . A method for displaying sleep related physiological information about a mammal, the method comprising:
 outputting an image of a spatial region having a first axis representing time and a second axis intersecting the first axis, the second axis representing at least an intensity measurement;   outputting within the spatial region provided by the first axis and the second axis an envelope trace of sound associated with sleep; and   outputting within the spatial region provided by the first axis and the second axis a first plurality of graphical components, each of the first plurality of graphical components being associated with a determined time period provided on the first axis representing time, whereupon:
 the extent, in a direction parallel to the second axis, of the first plurality of graphical components substantially overlaps the extent in said direction of the envelope trace; 
 each of the first plurality of graphical components is indicative of a first physiological parameter of the mammal during the determined time associated with each of the first plurality of graphical components; and 
 the first physiological parameter is selected from at least one selected from snoring, blood oxygen saturation, and body position. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first physiological parameter is snoring. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the first physiological parameter is blood oxygen saturation. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising outputting within the spatial region provided by the first axis and the second axis a second plurality of graphical components, each of the second plurality of graphical components being associated with a determined time period provided on the first axis representing time, whereupon:
 the extent, in a direction parallel to the second axis, of the second plurality of graphical components substantially overlaps the extent in said direction of the envelope trace;   each of the second plurality of graphical components is indicative of a second physiological parameter of the mammal during the determined time associated with each of the second plurality of graphical components; and   the second physiological parameter is selected from at least one selected from snoring, blood oxygen saturation, body position, limb movement, respiratory effort, respiratory air flow.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the first physiological parameter is snoring and the second physiological parameter is blood oxygen saturation. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the overlap is greater than 75 percent.