Importance

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Abstract

A catheter for the ambulatory monitoring and recording of respiration, respiratory effort, and pH, to facilitate the study of sleep apnea and related diseases, comprising a tubular body, with one or more lumens, each lumen used for measuring one factor, the possible factors including respiration, respiratory effort, and pH. The tubular body is shown with lumens for monitoring respiration and respiratory effort, each lumen having an opening in the side of the catheter at the site of monitoring. The air in each lumen pneumatically communicates from said opening through the lumen to the proximal end of the catheter. Each air lumen ends in a lead with a connector to which an external pressure sensor can be connected so that said pressure sensor thereby pneumatically communicates with said openings on the catheter. A pH sensor in the catheter has a head portion included in the tubular body and an electrical conductor connected to and extending from the head portion to the proximal end of the tubular body. The electrical conductor is connected with a pH monitor recorder. A method is described for locating obstructions in the respiratory track. A method is described for monitoring and recording on an ambulatory recorder, respiration, respiratory effort, and pH through at least one nightly sleep cycle.

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First Claim