Tuesday, January 21, 2014

The smart bed that can track your sleep - and reveal how long your partner was REALLY snoring for

Notes from Dr. Norman Blumenstock:

I'm not sure about  the accuracy of this device but its another interesting consumer device in the area of sleep disordered breathing.



  • Strap is placed across the bed to monitor sleep quality, heart rate and snoring levels
  • Can download data to an app revealing exactly when you snored - and how loud
  • Algorithm creates a 'sleep score' every morning

It could finally end the morning rows over exactly how loudly, and how often your partner was snoring.
A new gadget can turn any mattress into a 'smart bed' capable of analysing your sleep.
It can monitor your heart rate, breathing, how loud your room is - and how loud and how often you snore.

The Beddit ultra-thin film sensor, which is placed over the mattress.
The Beddit ultra-thin film sensor, which is placed over the mattress.

HOW IT WORKS

The ultra-thin film sensor is placed on your mattress and is plugged into a regular low voltage USB power supply.
The sensor measures your presence in the bed (sleep rhythm) and your movements (actigraphy) during the night and also the movements of your heart (heart rate) and your breathing movements (breathing rhythm and snoring).
It then sends this data to a special app via bluetooth, where it is analysed as a sleep report shown.
'While you sleep, Beddit automatically tracks your sleep, heart rate, breathing rhythm, movements, snoring and bedroom noise and light,' the firm behind it says.
'You simply place the Beddit ultra-thin film sensor in your bed, under the sheet. 
'There are no wearable sensors, ensuring undisturbed sleep. Essentially, you turn your bed into a smart bed.'
The sensor sends your sleep data over Bluetooth to an app, which analyses your sleep and gives tips on how to improve sleep.
The $149 sleep and wellness tracker, has been launched on Indiegogo, although a far more expensive medical version is already used by doctors.

The system uses data from the sensor to create a 'sleep report' each morning
The system uses data from the sensor to create a 'sleep report' each morning
The sleep report reveals exactly when you were snoring - and how loudly
The sleep report reveals exactly when you were snoring - and how loudly

'We have had the Beddit Pro sleep tracker for professional use on the market over 18 months, the Finnish firm said.
'Now, we want to make this available for everyone at a reasonable price with a captivating and useful app by introducing the new Beddit for your wellness.'
The firm claims the gadget can be used as a stress management tool, or as an athletic performance measuring tool - as well as settling arguments over snoring.
Beddit is based on ballistocardiography (BCG), a scientific method for measuring cardiorespiratory functions.
It detects the tiny movements caused by respiration and heartbeats, and turns them into useful sleep and wellness information and guidance.