• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.545-554
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• 2011

In this study, the parameters of Polysomnography (PSG) test, such as total sleep time, snoring time, had been analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of a developed anti-snore pillow. The developed anti-snore pillow is made up of two polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) vibration sensors, pumps, valves, and air bladders. The two PVDF sensors inside the pillow can acquire the sound signals and the algorithm was perfectly designed to extract snoring by removing unwanted noise accurately and automatically. Once the pillow recognizes snore, a pump inside the hardware activates, and a bladder under the neck area inside the pillow will be inflated. The PSG test was used and two volunteers were participated for the study. The parameters of the PSG results were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of the anti-snore pillow. The total sleep time of each volunteer was similar on each phase of test, but the snoring time and the longest snoring episode were significantly decreased with the use of anti-snore pillow. The overall results showed excellent possibilities for reducing snoring for the person who snores during sleep by using the anti-snore pillow. The effectiveness of the anti-snore pillow can be evaluated by the PSG test. Moreover, the relationship between each parameter of PSG test and the quality of sleep will be used for further researches.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.459-466
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• 2011

Sleep diseases such as snoring and sleep apnea are physically, mentally harmful and results serious health problems. Snoring, known as breathing noise, is caused by coupled oscillation of the airway when the air passes through the trachea, and sleep apnea is caused by upper airway blockage. In order to solve these problems, many attempts have been made to detect the snoring during sleep and alleviate it. In this study, a new sensing system and analysis algorithm were developed in order to detect snoring sounds correctly under various sleep environments. Two polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) vibration sensors were used inside the pillow. The first PVDF sensor detects vibration transmitted through skull caused by snoring. And the second PVDF sensor detects both snoring sounds and ambient noises. The signals of two sensors were acquired through the designed analog circuits, and analyzed for snoring detection. Ten volunteers were participated for the experiment under five different conditions. Data from two PVDF sensors were processed by the established analysis algorithm, and snoring sounds were compared to noises. The results indicated that the energy of snoring is 70% bigger than that of ambient noise, which proves effectiveness of sensing system and analysis algorithm. Further study would be continued for more wide clinical studies with various environment noises. Based on this study, development of anti-snore pillow and sleep monitoring system for comfort sleep could be developed.