Macro-control of treatment for sleep disordered breathing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating sleep disordered breathing. An arousal index is determined for use in an outer loop of a control algorithm, the arousal index being a measure of the frequency of sleep arousals. The respiratory airflow signal in an inner loop of the control algorithm is monitored to detect an airway obstruction. If the arousal index is high, then the sensitivity of obstruction detection and/or the aggressiveness of the treatment is increased, and if the arousal index is low, then the sensitivity of the obstruction detection and/or the aggressiveness of the treatment is decreased

1 - 62 . (canceled) 
   
   
       63 . A method for evaluating changes in heart failure disease in a patient comprising steps of:
 measuring airflow of the patient using a sensor to determine occurrences of central apneas;   calculating a heart failure index from a count of the number of central apneas that have occurred; and   comparing a present heart failure index to a previously calculated heart failure index to determine how the patient's heart failure disease has changed.   
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the occurrences of central apneas are counted over a period ranging from one night to one week. 
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64  further comprising a step of identifying subsequent heart failure disease treatment based at least in part upon said heart failure index. 
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 63  further comprising a step of identifying subsequent heart failure disease treatment based at least in part upon said heart failure index. 
   
   
       67 . A method for monitoring congestive heart failure in a patient comprising steps of:
 measuring airflow of the patient using a sensor to determine occurrences of central apneas;   calculating a congestive heart failure index from a count of the number of central apneas that have occurred; and   comparing a present congestive heart failure index to a previously calculated congestive heart failure index to determine how the patient's congestive heart failure has changed.   
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 67  wherein the occurrences of central apneas are counted over a period ranging from one night to one week. 
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 68  further comprising a step of identifying subsequent congestive heart failure treatment based at least in part upon said congestive heart failure index. 
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 68  further comprising a step of identifying subsequent congestive heart failure treatment based at least in part upon said congestive heart failure index. 
   
   
       71 . A method for evaluating changes in heart failure disease in a patient comprising steps of:
 measuring airflow of the patient using a sensor to determine occurrences of central apneas;   calculating a heart failure index from a count of the number of central apneas that have occurred; and   determining how the patient's heart failure disease has progressed from changes in the heart failure index.   
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 71  wherein the occurrences of central apneas are counted over a period ranging from one night to one week. 
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 72  further comprising a step of identifying subsequent heart failure disease treatment based at least in part upon said heart failure index. 
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 71  further comprising a step of identifying subsequent heart failure disease treatment based at least in part upon said heart failure index. 
   
   
       75 . A method for monitoring congestive heart failure in a patient comprising steps of:
 measuring airflow of the patient using a sensor to determine occurrences of central apneas;   calculating a congestive heart failure index from a count of the number of central apneas that have occurred; and   determining how the patient's congestive heart failure has progressed from changes in the heart failure index.   
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 75  wherein the occurrences of central apneas are counted over a period ranging from one night to one week. 
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 76  further comprising a step of identifying subsequent congestive heart failure treatment based at least in part upon said congestive heart failure index. 
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 76  further comprising a step of identifying subsequent congestive heart failure treatment based at least in part upon said congestive heart failure index.