WO2019207576A1

WO2019207576A1 - A system for changing the sleeping position of a sleeping subject

Info

Publication number: WO2019207576A1
Application number: PCT/IL2019/050447
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joshua DAN ON
Original assignee: Comfort Systems (2007) Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-22
Filing date: 2019-04-18
Publication date: 2019-10-31
Also published as: IL258849A; IL258849B

Abstract

A system for changing the sleeping position of a sleeping subject, comprises: a) an adjustable mattress, comprising one or more sections adapted to be tilted and/or lifted and/or moved and/or inflated; b) one or more sensors suitable to detect one or more parameters relating to the status of said subject; c) logic circuitry suitable to receive from said sensors data relative to said one or more parameters and to determine whether a change of position of said adjustable mattress is desirable, by analyzing said data; and d) actuating means suitable to actuate said one or more sections of said adjustable mattress so as to change the position and/or state of said one or more sections according to an input received from said logic circuitry.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR CHANGING THE SLEEPING POSITION OF A SLEEPING SUBJECT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of sleep monitoring and the improvement of the quality of sleep. More particularly, the invention relates to an adjustable mattress, which is a part of a system that monitors and analyses sleep patterns, noises and movements of a user, while he sleeps, and controls the mattress accordingly.

Background of the invention

While sleeping, the position of a person can significantly influence the quality of his sleep. One of the problems that occur during sleep, which is influenced, among other things, by sleeping positions, is snoring. Snoring affects the quality of sleep of the person who snores and other people that share a bed or a room with such a person. Snoring is relatively common, and according to "The American Academy of Sleep Medicine" about half of the people snore at some point in their lives, and about 40 percent of adult men and 24 percent of adult women are habitual snorers (as cited on the website of "Sleep Education" in the following link: http://www.sleepeducation.org/essentials-in-sleep/snoring/overview-and-facts).

When we sleep, our muscles are more relaxed. As a result, the airway between the tongue and the soft palate can be narrowed or even closed. If the airway is narrowed it often causes snoring, and in severe cases, when the airway is too narrow or if it closes, breathing can be momentarily cut off, and then the snoring are actually a symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (also known as OSA).

OSA is a serious condition, which can result in excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep, abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking, awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating during the day, experiencing mood changes, such as depression or irritability, high blood pressure, nighttime sweating, decreased libido and other effects. OSA can also cause complications, such as cardiovascular problems, complications with medications and surgery, eye problems, and more (cited from the website of "Mayo Clinic": https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obstructive-sleep- apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352090).

Those who suffer from OSA and/or snoring can address the problem in many ways, depending on the severity and other personal factors and preferences. The most popular treatment options are oral medications, oral appliances, positive airway pressure therapy, dental treatments and different types of surgeries. It was also found that snoring and OSA can be improved or even avoided by controlling the sleeping position, and the airway is less likely to close when sleeping on the side. There are some methods that help a sleeping person remain lying on the side, like the traditional method of positioning a tennis ball on the back, thus preventing a person from rolling on his back while sleeping.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that can monitor and analyze sleep patterns and recognize different physiological conditions, which can be treated or improved by changing the sleep position.

It is another object of the invention to provide a system and method that control bed mattresses so that different parts of a mattress can be moved in relation to one another, and form a personally adjusted surface according to the physiological needs of the person who is lying on the mattress, at any given moment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. Summary of the Invention

The system for changing the sleeping position of a sleeping subject, comprises: a) an adjustable mattress, comprising one or more sections adapted to be tilted and/or lifted and/or moved and/or inflated;

b) one or more sensors suitable to detect one or more parameters relating to the status of said subject;

c) logic circuitry suitable to receive from said sensors data relative to said one or more parameters and to determine whether a change of position of said adjustable mattress is desirable, by analyzing said data; and

d) actuating means suitable to actuate said one or more sections of said adjustable mattress so as to change the position and/or state of said one or more sections according to an input received from said logic circuitry.

In one embodiment the one or more sensors comprise a microphone suitable to detect snoring and/or other sounds generated by the sleeping subject. In another embodiment the logic circuitry comprises and/or is in data communication with data storage apparatus.

In one embodiment the data storage apparatus is adapted to receive and to store data representative of one or more parameters relating to the status of the subject, obtained over time. In another embodiment the logic circuitry determines whether a change of position of the adjustable mattress is desirable by comparing data received at the time of determination with previous data stored in the data storage apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary bed base and an exemplary bed mattress;

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the base and the mattress of Fig. 1, in a head elevation position;

Fig. 2B is a side view of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the base and the mattress of Fig. 1, in a position in which the head section is leaning backward; Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the base and the mattress of Fig. 1, showing another type of position in which the head section is slightly tilted;

Fig. 4B is a side view of Fig. 4A, showing the longitudinal axis of the head section;

Fig. 4C is a different side view of Fig. 4A, showing that from the side, the head section is slightly above the base of the bed;

Fig. 5A shows another exemplary position, wherein the body section and the head section perform as a single unit and are tilted at the same angle in relation to the base of the bed;

Fig. 5B is a side view of Fig. 5A, showing the longitudinal axis of the body section;

Fig. 5C is a different side view of Fig. 5A, showing a clear view of the angle between the body section and the base, and is also the same angle between the head section and the base;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a mechanism suitable to change the position of a sleeping subject; and

Fig. 7 is a top view of the mechanism of Fig. 6.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Some of the physiological problems that occur during sleep are influenced by sleeping positions. Some positions are not recommended in different conditions, and in some cases a certain sleeping position can improve the quality of sleep and even prevent conditions, such as snoring and OSA, that can damage the health and/or the sleeping quality of a sleeping person and the people around him.

The present invention comprises a system, suitable to monitor a sleeping person, analyze his sleeping patterns, recognize when there is a need to change his sleeping position, and control his bed mattress accordingly. In order to monitor a sleeping person, the system comprises sensors that are adapted to analyze the state of a sleeping person, similarly to the equipment that is used in sleep labs. Common body functions that are measured in sleep labs during sleep are, for example, brain activity (which is measured by EEG), eye movements (which is measured by EOG), muscle activity or skeletal muscle activation (which is measured by EMG), and heart rhythm (which is measured by ECG), breathing functions respiratory airflow and respiratory effort indicators, and peripheral pulse oximetry.

The system can also comprise noise sensors, suitable to detect snoring or other sounds. Of course, the system can additionally comprise other measurement equipment, which measures parameters that indicate the quality of sleep and/or problems that occur during sleep. In addition, the system can also comprise pressure sensors and/or other sensors that can help to determine the position of a person on a surface.

All of the data is taken continuously during sleep, and the system comprises an analyzing unit that analyses the gathered data and determines when the user should change his sleeping position. The analyzing unit can be integral with the mattress, or it can be located externally. It may comprise a computer or a smartphone that receive all the data and operate a software with a suitable analyzing algorithm. The computer can be physically connected to the detection and measurement components, but it can also communicate wirelessly with those component, or with some of them. Of course, the analyzing unit can also be remotely connected to the different detection and measurement components, and the data can be transmitted to the analyzing unit, and then it can also be transmitted from the analyzing unit to another data receiving component.

An example of a situation to which the invention can be applied is, for instance, when a person is lying on his back and starts snoring. In such cases, it is known that sleeping on the side can decrease and even stop the snoring. According to this specific example, the system first of all recognizes the snoring, by noise sensors and/or respiratory related sensors and/or other sensors that identify snoring indication parameters. After analyzing the data and recognizing the snoring, the system determines the current position of the sleeping person, by data gathered from pressure sensors, optical means, or any other components that can be used to determine a position, and if the person is lying on his back, the system will operate to shift his position so that he would lie on his side instead. According to this example, the system recognizes the current position before shifting the position of the user to the side, but determining the current position is not a mandatory stage, and the system can simply operate to encourage a side position, and then determine if it helped according to the new sleeping parameters received from the detection and measurement components. The management of the sleeping position will be explained in detail as the description proceeds.

The system, according to the present invention, comprises a mattress, suitable to be adjusted according to the needs of a person who sleeps on it. After the analyzing unit processes the data that is gathered from the different detection and measurement components, it can also determine the optimal recommended position and adjust the mattress accordingly. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary bed base 101 and an exemplary bed mattress 102 on top of it, wherein mattress 102 is divided into two sections - head section 103 and body section 104. Mattress 102 is divided so it would allow independent movements of sections 103 and 104. Mattress 102 can be replaced with other mattresses that are divided differently from mattress 102 or not divided at all.

In some cases, it is recommended to sleep with the head elevated relative to the rest of the body, and then head section 103 can be rotated along lateral axis 105 in order to achieve such a position. Fig. 2A is a perspective view of base 101 and mattress 102, wherein there is a sharp angle 106 between head section 103 and base 101, forming a head elevation position. Fig. 2B is a side view of Fig. 2A, showing a clear view of angle 106 when head section 103 is in an elevated position. Head section 103 can also be rotated the other way around, and then the head of a user would lean backward, as shown in Fig. 3, wherein head section 103 and body section 104 are both partially lifted at an angle in relation to base 101. In the positions of Figs. 2A, 2B and 3, and in any other position, the position adjustment of mattress 102 can be achieved by any suitable mechanical or pneumatic means. For example, mattress 102 can comprise a motor that is connected to telescopic poles or piston-shaped poles, and the poles can be extended or shortened in order to distance or bring closer different parts of mattress 102 from or toward the base of said poles. Said poles can also provide support for mattress 102 at its adjusted position, and the system can also comprise other supporting means, suitable to provide sufficient support at all positions. Alternatively, compartments can be provided in the various sections of the mattress, which can be inflated to result in a different inclination of such portions. The above, of course, is applicable to all positions in the mattress and is not limited to any specific location.

An illustrative example of a suitable mechanism is, for instance, is shown in Fig. 6. The illustrated mechanism is one that is further described in detail in International Patent Application PCT/IL2019/050330, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, as said this is merely an illustrative example and the skilled person will be able to devise different mechanisms that meet the requirements of the present invention. Moreover, this illustrative mechanism also includes a lower, leg section, which is not essential for the purposes of this invention but can be provided if desired. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view from the bottom side of an adjustable mattress 600, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising an adjustable frame 601, a padding apparatus 602 (e.g. springs, foam, memory foam, gel, latex, etc.), and a flexible mattress-casing 603 (shown transparent in Fig. 6 with the bottom portion removed). Padding apparatus 602 is situated on rigid planks that are connected to the top side of adjustable frame 601 such the top side of padding apparatus 602 imitates the position of frame 601. Consequently, by adjusting frame 601 the position of the whole mattress 600 is adjusted. In one embodiment a cable 604, which is connectable to a source of electric power, aliments a control device (not shown) that, inter alia, operates motors 606a and 606b further discussed with reference to Fig. 7.

Fig. 7 shows a top view of adjustable frame 601, according to one embodiment, comprising three segments: upper body segment 601a, central body segment 601b, and lower body segment 601c, each made of metal profiles. Upper body actuation module or apparatus 606a and a lower body actuation module or apparatus 606b are both connected to substructures 701a and 701b which support central body segment, 601b. Each actuation module 606a and 606b comprises a motor and a set of actuators and levers suitable to be actuated by the motor and to cause the upper and lower body segments to be adjusted, respectively.

For the sake of clarity, the positions that are shown in the drawings are only exemplary positions and do not represent all the possible adjustments of the mattress. According to the present invention, the mattress of the system, such as mattress 102, can be divided into an unlimited number of sections, and each section has the mechanical or other means and ability to rotate and/or move and/or inflate in order to form any desired sleeping position of a user that lies on the mattress.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of base 101 and mattress 102, showing another type of position where head section 103 is slightly tilted, in order to elevate one side of the head of a user, relative to the other side. To get this effect, head section 103 has the ability to rotate around longitudinal axis 107 that is shown in Fig. 4B, which is a side view of Fig. 4A. Fig. 4C is a different side view of Fig. 4A, showing that from the side, head section 103 is slightly above base 101. Both side edges of head section 103 are not permanently connected to body section 104 so that head section 103 can be tilted in both directions. One way of enabling such a movement is by providing a rotational axis in the center of both head section 103 and body section 104. Suitable elastic means can be provided for the comfort of the sleeper so that a continuous surface exists between head section 103 and body section 104.

Fig. 5A shows another exemplary position, wherein body section 104 and head section 103 perform as a single unit and are tilted at the same angle 109 relative to base 101. Head section 103 rotates around longitudinal axis 107 (as shown in Fig. 4B), and body section 104 rotates around a corresponding axis 108 in the same angle as section 103, as shown in Fig. 5B, which is a side view of Fig. 5A. Fig. 5C is a front view of Fig. 5A, showing a clear view of angle 109. As different sections of a mattress move and/or rotate and/or inflate or contribute in any other form to the change of the shape of the mattress, it encourages the user to shift positions. For example, lifting one side of the head section of a mattress, as shown in Fig. 4A, encourages a user to tilt his head toward the side that is closer to the rotational axis. Each physiological condition can have a specific recommended sleeping position or a few, and the system recognizes the condition and/or symptoms and decides what is the recommended position. The analyzing unit processes information about the user and compares it to the data in the analyzing algorithm. The data can be updated so that the system would act based on up to date discoveries.

Sometimes there is more than one recommended position, and then the system would choose a position, and if there is still a need for improvement, the system would try another one. All of the information is saved and analyzed, and over time the system learns the needs of the specific user who is using a specific mattress, learn his specific symptoms and preferable and efficient positions and improves its operation.

The above description of specific embodiments has been provided for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to limit the invention in any way. Many modification and variations can be effected in the method and system, without exceeding the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for changing the sleeping position of a sleeping subject, comprising:

a) an adjustable mattress, comprising one or more sections adapted to be tilted and/or lifted and/or moved and/or inflated;

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sensors comprises a

microphone suitable to detect snoring and/or other sounds generated by the sleeping subject.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said logic circuitry comprises and/or is in data communication with data storage apparatus.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said data storage apparatus is adapted to receive and to store data representative of one or more parameters relating to the status of the subject, obtained over time.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the logic circuitry determines whether a change of position of the adjustable mattress is desirable by comparing data received at the time of determination with previous data stored in the data storage apparatus.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable mattress frame is suitable to be fully contained within a mattress and is provided with a central body segment and with at least an upper body adjustable segment, pivotally connected by one or more hinges to said central body segment, said central body segment being provided with two or more actuation modules suitable to actuate said body segments.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein each actuation module comprises:

a. an electric motor;

b. a linear actuator; and

c. a motion-transmission module configured to transmit rotation of the motor to linear motion of the linear actuator.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the linear actuator is adapted to produce a linear motion that is transferred to the adjustable segment as a linear motion, by levers that are pivotally fixed on one side to the adjustable segment and on the other side to the base segment.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one adjustable segment comprises two sections, a first section abutting the base segment and a second section abutting the first section, and wherein both sections are adjusted simultaneously.