SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING UPPER AIRWAY RESISTANCE AND LUNG COMPLIANCE EMPLOYING INDUCED CENTRAL APNEAS

摘要

A method of estimating upper airway resistance or lung compliance of a patient is provided that includes inducing a central apnea in the patient providing a known pressure stimulus comprising a flow of breathing gas having a known pressure level to the patient while the patient is experiencing the central apnea determining a patient flow-related parameter such as flow rate and/or flow volume associated with the known pressure stimulus and estimating the upper airway resistance or the lung compliance of the patient using the patient flow-related parameter using for example and without limitation an input-output system identification method. Fig.1