Sensing Sleep Solutions
Spring 2012 · Comment ·
Sleep apnea鈥攖he chronic interruption of breathing during sleep鈥攁ffects 15 percent of adults nationwide, but detecting the disease can be costly and time-consuming. That may soon change. Department Chair Khosrow Behbehani and his research team have designed an innovative ultrasonic sensor that, when attached to a patient鈥檚 neck during the night, detects whether his or her airway is open. The sensors are less cumbersome and less expensive than current detection systems, which usually require patients to spend one or more nights in a sleep laboratory. 鈥淔or some the cost is such a barrier that they opt to continue to suffer rather than be diagnosed,鈥� Dr. Behbehani says. 鈥淢aking detection more affordable will allow more people to be diagnosed.鈥� UT Arlington has applied for a provisional patent for the concept and technology and is partnering with Sleep Consultants Inc. in Fort Worth to conduct studies.