scholarly journals The Biomechanical Mechanism of Upper Airway Collapse in OSAHS Patients Using Clinical Monitoring Data during Natural Sleep

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 7457
Author(s):  
Liujie Chen ◽  
Tan Xiao ◽  
Ching Tai Ng
Keyword(s):  
Soft Palate ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Clinical Monitoring ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Natural Sleep ◽  
Airway Collapse ◽  
Upper Airway Collapse ◽  
Obstructive Sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated pharyngeal collapse with partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway. This study investigates the biomechanics of upper airway collapse of OSASH patients during natural sleep. Computerized tomography (CT) scans and data obtained from a device installed on OSASH patients, which is comprised of micro pressure sensors and temperature sensors, are used to develop a pseudo three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model of the upper airway. With consideration of the gravity effect on the soft palate while patients are in a supine position, a fluid–solid coupling analysis is performed using the FE model for the two respiratory modes, eupnea and apnea. The results of this study show that the FE simulations can provide a satisfactory representation of a patient’s actual respiratory physiological processes during natural sleep. The one-way valve effect of the soft palate is one of the important mechanical factors causing upper airway collapse. The monitoring data and FE simulation results obtained in this study provide a comprehensive understanding of the occurrence of OSAHS and a theoretical basis for the individualized treatment of patients. The study demonstrates that biomechanical simulation is a powerful supplementation to clinical monitoring and evaluation.

scholarly journals Much Ado about Sleep: Current Concepts on Mechanisms and Predisposition to Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1032
Author(s):  
Ashley L. Saint-Fleur ◽  
Alexa Christophides ◽  
Prabhavathi Gummalla ◽  
Catherine Kier
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Biomechanical Properties ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Airway Narrowing ◽  
Airway Collapse ◽  
Upper Airway Collapse ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Review Current

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a form of sleep-disordered breathing characterized by upper airway collapse during sleep resulting in recurring arousals and desaturations. However, many aspects of this syndrome in children remain unclear. Understanding underlying pathogenic mechanisms of OSA is critical for the development of therapeutic strategies. In this article, we review current concepts surrounding the mechanism, pathogenesis, and predisposing factors of pediatric OSA. Specifically, we discuss the biomechanical properties of the upper airway that contribute to its primary role in OSA pathogenesis and examine the anatomical and neuromuscular factors that predispose to upper airway narrowing and collapsibility.

Control of segmental upper airway resistance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

1993 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 2694-2703 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Wasicko ◽  
J. S. Erlichman ◽  
J. C. Leiter
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Resistive Load ◽  
Airway Collapse ◽  
Upper Airway Collapse ◽  
Obstructive Sleep

We sought to determine if the upper airway response to an added inspiratory resistive load (IRL) during wakefulness could be used to predict the site of upper airway collapse in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In 10 awake patients with OSA, we investigated the relationship between resistance in three segments of the upper airway (nasal, nasopharyngeal, and oropharyngeal) and three muscles known to influence these segments (alae nasi, tensor veli palatini, and genioglossus) while the patient breathed with or without a small IRL (2 cmH2O.l–1.s). During IRL, patients with OSA exhibited increased nasopharyngeal resistance and no significant increase in either the genioglossus or tensor veli palatini activities. Neither nasal resistance nor alae nasi EMG activity was affected by IRL. We contrasted this to the response of five normal subjects, in whom we found no change in the resistance of either segment of the airway and no change in the genioglossus EMG but a significant activation of the tensor palatini. In six patients with OSA, we used the waking data to predict the site of upper airway collapse during sleep and we had limited success. The most successful index (correct in 4 of 6 patients) incorporated the greatest relative change in segmental resistance during IRL at the lowest electromyographic activity. We conclude, in patients with OSA, IRL narrows the more collapsible segment of the upper airway, in part due to inadequate activation of upper airway muscles. However, it is difficult to predict the site of upper airway collapse based on the waking measurements where upper airway muscle activity masks the passive airway characteristics.

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