John Robert Burk

US Patent:

6415174, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

Nov 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/434503

Inventors:

Khosrow Bebehani - Arlington TX
John R. Burk - Aledo TX
Edgar A. Lucas - Fort Worth TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents the University of Texas System - Arlington TX

International Classification:

A61B 50402

US Classification:

600513, 600512

Abstract:

Respiratory rhythms of a subject are derived from measured ECG signals utilizing leads placed for significant influence of chest movement on the ECG signals. The QRS pulses within ECG signals measured in two substantially orthogonal planes are located by applying a sequence of filters. The knot and period of the QRS pulses are then determined, with adjustments made during a learning phase of data sampling. The QRS pulse areas in both planes is then calculated. These pulse areas are employed to determine the angle of orientation of the depolarization waves mean electrical axis (MEA) at the QRS pulse locations. Cubic spline interpolation of the data points for the MEA angle provides a smooth breathing curve, which may be scored for sleep disordered breathing events. The ECG-derived respiratory (EDR) signal may be employed in lieu of airflow measurements where such measurements are not available, or may be employed in conjunction with airflow measurements and/or measured cardiac activity data to discriminate between arrhythmias associated with disordered breathing versus those associated with cardiac malfunction, reducing misdiagnosis. The additional processing of ECG data required for derivation of respiratory rhythms may be easily automated and implemented at nominal incremental cost per unit.

US Patent:

7343198, Mar 11, 2008

Filed:

Aug 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/924227

Inventors:

Khosrow Behbehani - Arlington TX, US
Sridhar Vijendra - Canton MI, US
John R. Burk - Aledo TX, US
Edgar A. Lucas - Fort Worth TX, US

Assignee:

The University of Texas at Arlington - Arlington TX

International Classification:

A61B 5/04

US Classification:

600509

Abstract:

A system to form and store an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal derived from a cardiac electrical signal that includes an apparatus having a pair of the electrodes to connect to a patient to detect the cardiac electrical signal. A signal sampler samples the cardiac electrical signal to form the ECG signal. A data storage device stores the ECG signal. A computer communicates with the data storage device to retrieve the ECG signal for analysis by software stored in the memory of the computer. The software analyzes a morphology of the amplitude of a plurality of R-wave peaks contained within the ECG signal and/or analyzes a morphology of the area of a plurality of QRS complex pulses contained within the ECG signal.

US Patent:

7801593, Sep 21, 2010

Filed:

Feb 13, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/030789

Inventors:

Khosrow Behbehani - Arlington TX, US
Sridhar Vijendra - Canton MI, US
John R. Burk - Aledo TX, US
Edgar A. Lucas - Fort Worth TX, US

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

A61B 5/04

US Classification:

600509, 600483, 600484, 600515

Abstract:

A system to form and store an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal derived from a cardiac electrical signal that includes an apparatus having a pair of the electrodes to connect to a patient to detect the cardiac electrical signal. A signal sampler samples the cardiac electrical signal to form the ECG signal. A data storage device stores the ECG signal. A computer communicates with the data storage device to retrieve the ECG signal for analysis by software stored in the memory of the computer. The software analyzes a morphology of the amplitude of a plurality of R-wave peaks contained within the ECG signal and/or analyzes a morphology of the area of a plurality of QRS complex pulses contained within the ECG signal.

US Patent:

54581370, Oct 17, 1995

Filed:

Apr 15, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/047826

Inventors:

John R. Axe - Arlington TX
Khosrow Bebehani - Arlington TX
John R. Burk - Aledo TX
Edgar A. Lucas - Fort Worth TX
Fu-Chung Yen - Arlington TX

Assignee:

Respironics, Inc. - Murrysville PA

International Classification:

A61M 1600
A62B 700
F16K 3102

US Classification:

12820423

Abstract:

A method and device for controlling sleep disorder breathing utilizes variable multiple level pressures. A pressure source supplies compressed breathable gas at a relatively low pressure to the user's airway. Pressure transducers monitor pressures and convert them into electrical signals. The electrical signals are filtered and processed to extract specific features such as duration and energy levels. If these features exceed selected threshold values for duration and energy level over a minimum period of time, then the microprocessor declares the presence of sleep disorder breathing. If a selected number of these events occur within a selected time period, then the microprocessor adjusts the pressure delivered by the pressure source. If sleep disorder breathing is not detected within a certain time period, then the microprocessor lowers the pressure level gradually. The device and method disclosed in this patent is capable of detecting apnea, hypopnea, and pharyngeal wall vibration.

US Patent:

59537132, Sep 14, 1999

Filed:

Sep 12, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/928791

Inventors:

Khosrow Behbehani - Arlington TX
John R. Burk - Aledo TX
Francisco J. Lopez - Bonita CA
Edgar A. Lucas - Fort Worth TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

G06E 100

US Classification:

706 16

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for treating sleep disorder breathing is disclosed having improved ability to accurately detect pharyngeal wall vibration or other apneic events. An interface or mask is placed over a patient's airway. The interface is coupled to a source of pressurized gas. A respiration-related variable, namely the total pressure in the interface, is measured or sampled. The respiration-related variable is input into an artificial neural network trained to recognize patterns characterizing sleep disorder breathing. Responsive to recognition by the artificial neural network of sleep disorder breathing, pressurized gas is supplied to the patient's airways through the interface.

US Patent:

60857471, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

May 27, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/864035

Inventors:

John R. Axe - Arlington TX
Khosrow Bebehani - Arlington TX
John R. Burk - Aledo TX
Edgar A. Lucas - Fort Worth TX
Fu-Chung Yen - Arlington TX

Assignee:

Respironics, Inc. - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

A61M 1600

US Classification:

12820423

Abstract:

A method and device for controlling sleep disorder breathing utilizes variable multiple level pressures. A pressure source supplies compressed breathable gas at a relatively low pressure to the user's airway. Pressure transducers monitor pressures and convert them into electrical signals. The electrical signals are filtered and processed to extract specific features such as duration and energy levels. If these features exceed selected threshold values for duration and energy level over a minimum period of time, then the microprocessor declares the presence of sleep disorder breathing. If a selected number of these events occur within a selected time period, then the microprocessor adjusts the pressure delivered by the pressure source. If sleep disorder breathing is not detected within a certain time period, then the microprocessor lowers the pressure level gradually. The device and method disclosed in this patent is capable of detecting apnea, hypopnea, and pharyngeal wall vibration.

US Patent:

6142952, Nov 7, 2000

Filed:

Oct 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/959938

Inventors:

Khosrow Behbehani - Arlington TX
John R. Burk - Aledo TX
Edgar R. Lucas - Fort Worth TX
Fu-Chung Yen - Arlington TX

Assignee:

The Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

A61B 5085

US Classification:

600533

Abstract:

A pressurized breathable gas, preferably air, is supplied to the patient's airways with an interface including a mask and a flexible hose. A selected oscillation component or forced probing signal is applied or superposed on the pressurized breathable gas, preferably with a loudspeaker coupled to a frequency generator. Pressure and flow of the breathable gas in the interface are measured or sampled, preferably using pressure transducers and a pneumotachometer coupled to a personal computer, to obtain pressure and flow data characteristic of the patient's airway. The pressure and flow data are converted to the frequency domain using Fourier transform or cross-power spectrum techniques in the personal computer. A function of the processed pressure and flow data is obtained to determine an index of airway impedance or degree of airway obstruction.

US Patent:

52033430, Apr 20, 1993

Filed:

Jun 14, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/715374

Inventors:

John R. Axe - Arlington TX
Khosrow Behbehani - Arlington TX
John R. Burk - Aledo TX
Edgar A. Lucas - Fort Worth TX
Fu-Chung Yen - Arlington TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

A61B 508

US Classification:

128725

Abstract:

A method and device for controlling sleep disorder breathing utilizes variable pressure. The compressor supplies air at a relatively low pressure to the user's air passages while the user is asleep. A pressure transducer will monitor the pressure and convert the pressure into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is filtered and processed to compare it to the characteristics of waveforms that exists during snoring. If the envelope of the waveform exceeds an average threshold value in duration and in area, then the microprocessor will consider the envelope possibly associated with a snore. If a selected number of envelopes of this nature occur within a selected time period, then the microprocessor considers snoring to exist and increases the pressure of the compressor. If snoring is not detected within a certain time period, then the microprocessor lowers the level gradually.