Video monitoring to detect sleep apnea

1. A method for detecting a sleep apnea event, the method comprising:

capturing a plurality of infrared images of an individual breathing;

developing a spatial template based upon the infrared images, the spatial template defining at least a normal breathing pattern;

using the spatial template to analyze further infrared images of the individual during sleep; and

detecting a sleep apnea event using the spatial template and the further infrared images.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using a plurality of infrared cameras to capture the plurality of infrared images.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising positioning a first infrared camera at a right side of the individual and a second infrared camera at a left side of the individual.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising positioning the plurality of infrared cameras at symmetric shooting angles.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising developing the spatial template with the individual positioned at different body positions.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising calculating a total time for sleep apnea over a specific period based upon one or more detected sleep apnea events.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a category of movement.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising using an activity level to determine the category of movement.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising selecting among body movement, sleep apnea, and deep breathing as the category of movement.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising triggering therapy when the sleep apnea event is detected.

11. A method for detecting a sleep apnea event, the method comprising:

capturing a plurality of infrared images of an individual breathing;

developing a spatial template based upon the infrared images, the spatial template defining at least a normal breathing pattern;

determining a category of movement;

using the spatial template and the category of movement to analyze further infrared images of the individual during sleep; and

detecting a sleep apnea event using the spatial template and the further infrared images.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising using a plurality of infrared cameras to capture the plurality of infrared images.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising developing the spatial template with the individual positioned at different body positions.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising using an activity level to determine the category of movement.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising selecting among body movement, sleep apnea, and deep breathing as the category of movement.

16. A system for detecting a sleep apnea event, the system comprising:

at least one camera for capturing a plurality of infrared images of an individual breathing;

memory; and

a processor programmed to execute one or more instructions stored on the memory to:

develop a spatial template based upon the infrared images, the spatial template defining at least a normal breathing pattern;

use the spatial template to analyze further infrared images of the individual during sleep; and

detect a sleep apnea event using the spatial template and the further infrared images.

17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of infrared cameras to capture the plurality of infrared images.

18. The system of claim 17 , further comprising a first infrared camera positioned at a right side of the individual and a second infrared camera positioned at a left side of the individual.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of infrared cameras are positioned at symmetric shooting angles.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the processor executes further instructions to develop the spatial template with the individual positioned at different body positions.