Obtaining, with a sleep-apnea device, information related to sleep-apnea events and sleep-apnea treatment, and correlating sleep apnea events and sleep-apnea treatment with subject lifestyle and wellbeing

Abstract

An embodiment of a system for treating sleep apnea includes a collar, pump, motor, sensor, memory, and controller, which is configured to store, in the memory, information related to sleep-apnea events or sleep-apnea treatment, experienced by the subject. For example, the controller can obtain, and store in the memory, information related to sleep-apnea events, and the controller, or another computing system, can correlate this information with the subject's lifestyle choices, and can recommend lifestyle changes to improve the subject's sleep apnea. Furthermore, the controller can obtain and store, in the memory, information related to usage and settings of the sleep-apnea system, and the controller, or another computing system, can correlate this information with the subject's wellbeing, and can recommend changes in the usage or the settings of the sleep-apnea system that can improve the subject's wellbeing.

1 .- 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . A gasket assembly, comprising:
 an engagement portion configured for removable attachment to a sleep-apnea collar; and   a gasket configured to form a seal with a neck of a subject wearing the sleep-apnea collar.   
     
     
         66 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65  wherein the engagement portion is configured for removable attachment to the sleep-apnea collar along a perimeter of the sleep-apnea collar. 
     
     
         67 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65  wherein the engagement portion is configured for removable attachment to a rim of the sleep-apnea collar. 
     
     
         68 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65  wherein the engagement portion is configured for removable attachment to a rim along a perimeter of the sleep-apnea collar. 
     
     
         69 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65  wherein the engagement portion is configured for snapping attachment to the sleep-apnea collar. 
     
     
         70 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65  wherein the engagement portion includes one of pins and receptacles that are configured to engage the other of pins and receptacles disposed in the sleep-apnea collar. 
     
     
         71 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65  wherein the gasket is attached to the engagement portion. 
     
     
         72 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65  wherein the gasket is integral with the engagement portion. 
     
     
         73 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65  wherein the gasket is configured to form an airtight seal with the neck. 
     
     
         74 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65 , further comprising:
 wherein the gasket includes a side configured to face the neck; and   at least one channel formed in the gasket and each having a respective opening along the side.   
     
     
         75 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65  wherein the gasket is formed from foam. 
     
     
         76 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65  wherein the gasket is formed from rubber. 
     
     
         77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . The gasket assembly of  claim 65  wherein the gasket is formed from a gel. 
     
     
         79 . A system, comprising:
 a collar configured to maintain an airway of a sleeping subject open by applying, to a throat of the subject, a negative pressure having a magnitude;   one or more replaceable gaskets each configured
 to engage the collar, and 
 to form a respective seal around a respective region of the throat; 
   one or more pumps configured to generate the negative pressure;   one or more motors configured to drive the one or more pumps;   one or more sensors configured to generate one or more sense signals that are related to a degree to which the airway is open; and   one or more controllers configured to vary the magnitude of the negative pressure in response to the one or more sense signals.   
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 79  wherein:
 the collar has a perimeter; and 
 at least one of the one or more gaskets is configured to engage the collar along the perimeter. 
 
     
     
         81 .- 86 . (canceled) 
     
     
         87 . A method, comprising:
 removing, from a collar configured to maintain an airway of a sleeping subject open by applying, to a throat of the subject, a negative pressure having a magnitude, a first gasket configured to form a seal around a region of the throat; and   installing, on the collar, a second gasket configured to form a seal around a region of the throat.   
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 87  wherein:
 removing the first gasket includes disengaging the first gasket from a perimeter of the collar; and 
 installing the second gasket includes engaging the perimeter of the collar with the second gasket. 
 
     
     
         89 .- 91 . (canceled) 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 87  wherein installing the second gasket includes adhering the second gasket to the collar. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 87  wherein installing the second gasket includes:
 applying an adhesive to the collar; and 
 disposing the second gasket over the adhesive. 
 
     
     
         94 . (canceled) 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 87  wherein:
 the second gasket includes an inner surface including at least one channel; and 
 installing the second gasket includes orienting the second gasket such that the inner surface faces away from the collar.