Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system and method for determining whether a subject is likely to be disturbed by therapy levels of stimulation provided to the subject during sleep sessions. The present system is configured to automatically identify sensitive users using electroencephalogram (EEG) information from a reference sleep session with or without stimulation. For reference sleep sessions without stimulation, the alpha activity in detected deep sleep is used to predict whether the subject is likely to be disturbed by therapy levels of stimulation. For reference sleep sessions with stimulation, the acute increase in EEG delta (e.g., 0.5-4 Hz) power and/or an arousability index are used to predict whether the subject is likely to be disturbed by therapy levels of stimulation.

Abstract: The system receives a raw signal carrying information related to slow wave activity; buffers a portion of the raw signal; determines a timing of slow wave events in the buffered portion of the raw signal; filters the raw signal; determines a timing of slow wave events in the filtered raw signal; compares the timing of the slow wave events in the buffered portion of the raw signal to the timing of the slow wave events in the filtered raw signal; determines a first correction factor associated with reducing slow wave activity in the subject and a second correction factor associated with enhancing slow wave activity in the subject; and adjusts a timing of the stimulation provided to the subject during the sleep session based on the first and/or second correction factors.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to output an indicator representative of effects of stimulation provided to a subject during a sleep session. The indicator is determined based on a combination of the effect of stimulation on sleep restoration, stimulation quality, sleep architecture factors, and/or other information. The indicator is determined using age matched reference information on deep sleep duration and EEG slow wave activity. The contribution to the indicator associated with sleep architecture factors is determined based on age matched reference information including sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time, micro-arousal count, sleep stage(s) prior to awakening, and/or other information.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a reference slow wave activity metric determination system. Instead of collecting information during sleep sessions without stimulation (e.g., baseline and/or sham sessions) to determine a reference amount of slow wave activity in a subject, the present system is configured to build a model between stimulation properties and slow wave enhancement, and determine the reference amount of slow wave activity in the subject (e.g., corresponding to what would occur during baseline sleep and/or sham sessions) using the model. Advantageously, this approach does not require performance of baseline and/or sham sleep sessions, and enables personalization of the reference amount of slow wave activity, which dynamically increases its accuracy as more information is collected.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system and method for determining whether a subject is likely to be disturbed by therapy levels of stimulation provided to the subject during sleep sessions. The present system is configured to automatically identify sensitive users using electroencephalogram (EEG) information from a reference sleep session with or without stimulation. For reference sleep sessions without stimulation, the alpha activity in detected deep sleep is used to predict whether the subject is likely to be disturbed by therapy levels of stimulation. For reference sleep sessions with stimulation, the acute increase in EEG delta (e.g., 0.5-4 Hz) power and/or an arousability index are used to predict whether the subject is likely to be disturbed by therapy levels of stimulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to adjust an intensity of sensory stimulation delivered to a subject during a sleep session based on sleep depth in the subject during the sleep session. The restorative value of sleep may be increased by enhancing sleep slow-waves using sensory stimulation. The stimulation may be applied at an appropriate timing and/or intensity to enhance sleep slow-waves to enhance slow-waves without disturbing sleep.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a portable handheld pressure support system configured to deliver a pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airway of a subject. The pressure support system is configured to treat COPD and/or other patients suffering from dyspnea and/or other conditions. The pressure support system is configured to be small and lightweight so that a subject may carry the system and use the system as needed without requiring a device to be worn on the face. The present disclosure contemplates that the portable handheld pressure support system may be used to treat symptoms and/or conditions related to dyspnea, and/or for other uses. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more of a pressure generator, a subject interface, one or more sensors, one or more processors, a user interface, electronic storage, a portable power source, a housing, a handle, and/or other components.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for controlling coughing by subjects (106) control the opening and closing of a valve (12) (as well as partially opening and/or partially closing) to establish and disestablish a fluid communication between the airway of the subject and atmospheric pressure. The valve is opened and closed more than once during individual exhalations by the subject. Control of the valve is adjusted based on a pressure level in or near the airway of the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to detect slow waves in a subject during a sleep session. The system generates output signals conveying information related to brain activity of the subject. The system is configured to detect individual sleep stages of the subject, the individual sleep stages including a deep sleep stage; and, responsive to detecting the deep sleep stage, generate a harmonic representation of the output signals for a period of time during the sleep session that includes the deep sleep stage; identify two or more points of significance on the harmonic representation of the output signals; and analyze a shape of the harmonic representation of the output signals around the two or more points of significance to determine whether the shape of the harmonic representation of the output signals around the two or more points of significance corresponds to a shape of a slow wave.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a reference slow wave activity metric determination system. Instead of collecting information during sleep sessions without stimulation (e.g., baseline and/or sham sessions) to determine a reference amount of slow wave activity in a subject, the present system is configured to build a model between stimulation properties and slow wave enhancement, and determine the reference amount of slow wave activity in the subject (e.g., corresponding to what would occur during baseline sleep and/or sham sessions) using the model. Advantageously, this approach does not require performance of baseline and/or sham sleep sessions, and enables personalization of the reference amount of slow wave activity, which dynamically increases its accuracy as more information is collected.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to a system configured to detect slow waves based on adjusted slow wave detection criteria and time delivery of the sensory stimulation to correspond to slow waves detected based on the adjusted criteria. The system is configured to adjust slow wave detection criteria to enhance detection of slow waves in a subject. Slow wave detection using adjustable slow wave detection criteria produces more stimulation relative to prior art systems because more individual stimuli are provided if more slow waves are detected. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more of a sensory stimulator, a sensor, a processor, electronic storage, a user interface, and/or other components.

Abstract: A portable handheld pressure support system configured to provide rapid recovery from dyspnea of a subject is provided. The pressure support system is configured to be small and lightweight so that the subject carries the system and use the system as needed without requiring a device to be worn on the face. The system includes one or more of a pressure generator, a subject interface, a medicament inlet port, one or more sensors, one or more valves, one or more processors, a user interface, electronic storage, a portable power source, a housing, a handle, and/or other components.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to output an indicator representative of effects of stimulation provided to a subject during a sleep session. The indicator is determined based on a combination of the effect of stimulation on sleep restoration, stimulation quality, sleep architecture factors, and/or other information. The indicator is determined using age matched reference information on deep sleep duration and EEG slow wave activity. The contribution to the indicator associated with sleep architecture factors is determined based on age matched reference information including sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time, micro-arousal count, sleep stage(s) prior to awakening, and/or other information.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to determining timing of stimulation provided to a subject during sleep. The system receives a raw signal carrying information related to slow wave activity; buffers a portion of the raw signal; determines a timing of slow wave events in the buffered portion of the raw signal; filters the raw signal; determines a timing of slow wave events in the filtered raw signal; compares the timing of the slow wave events in the buffered portion of the raw signal to the timing of the slow wave events in the filtered raw signal; determines a first correction factor associated with reducing slow wave activity in the subject and a second correction factor associated with enhancing slow wave activity in the subject; and adjusts a timing of the stimulation provided to the subject during the sleep session based on the first and/or second correction factors.

Abstract: A portable handheld pressure support system (10) is configured to provide pressure support therapy to a subject. The pressure support system provides a pressurized flow of breathable gas that is delivered to the airway of the subject to treat COPD and/or dyspnea, hyperinflation, and/or other conditions. The system is configured to adjust an expiratory pressure level of the pressure support therapy responsive to identification of hyperinflation in the subject. The pressure support therapy provided to the subject is configured to be used as needed to rapidly alleviate shortness of breath, hyperinflation, and/or other symptoms. The pressure support system is configured to be small and lightweight so that the subject may carry the system and use the system as needed.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to facilitating sleep improvement for a user. In a non-limiting embodiment, user data associated with a sleep session of a user is received from one or more sensors. Based on the user data, one or more sleep metrics associated with the sleep session are generated. One or more reference sleep metrics are determined based on prior user data obtained from one or more prior sleep sessions. One or more immediate values related to the sleep session is/are determined based on a comparison of the sleep metrics with the reference sleep metrics. A sleep session score value is generated based on the immediate values, and the sleep session score value and the sleep metrics are caused to be presented on via an output device.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to adjust an intensity of sensory stimulation delivered to a subject during a sleep session based on sleep depth in the subject during the sleep session. The restorative value of sleep may be increased by enhancing sleep slow-waves using sensory stimulation. The stimulation may be applied at an appropriate timing and/or intensity to enhance sleep slow-waves to enhance slow-waves without disturbing sleep.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for controlling coughing by subjects (106) control the opening and closing of a valve (12) (as well as partially opening and/or partially closing) to establish and disestablish a fluid communication between the airway of the subject and atmospheric pressure. The valve is opened and closed more than once during individual exhalations by the subject. Control of the valve is adjusted based on a pressure level in or near the airway of the subject.

Abstract: A method of estimating the upper airway resistance of a patient using a gas delivery system includes delivering a flow of breathing gas to the patient through the patient circuit of the gas delivery system, superimposing an oscillatory pressure on the flow of breathing gas during an expiratory phase of the patient, determining a first amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas pressure provided to the patient at an end of the expiratory phase, determining a second amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas flow provided to the patient at the end of the expiratory phase, determining a first resistance value based on the ratio of the first amplitude to the second amplitude, and determining an upper airway resistance value based on the first resistance value.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to a system configured to detect slow waves based on adjusted slow wave detection criteria and time delivery of the sensory stimulation to correspond to slow waves detected based on the adjusted criteria. The system is configured to adjust slow wave detection criteria to enhance detection of slow waves in a subject. Slow wave detection using adjustable slow wave detection criteria produces more stimulation relative to prior art systems because more individual stimuli are provided if more slow waves are detected. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more of a sensory stimulator, a sensor, a processor, electronic storage, a user interface, and/or other components.