An efficient design for real-time obstructive sleep apnea OSA detection through esophageal pressure Pes signal.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a potentially common sleep disorder in which the upper airways are collapsed either partially or completely. The golden standard method for treating OSA, is the full night Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Yet, due to the ensuing discomfort, it incurs on patients, researchers have been motivated to investigate other alternatives, whereby, OSA can be effectively treated. Recently, an increasingly popular OSA treatment has been developed that consists in activating the protrusion muscles of the tongue by stimulating the Hypoglossal Nerve (HGN). In this context, the present work is conducted to propose the design of apnea detector module as part of an implantable HGN stimulator based on the esophageal Pressure Pes signal as a new approach for controlling OSA occurrence. Specifically, an effective real-time apnea event detecting algorithm is put forward. Following the achievement of satisfactory simulation results, attained through the Modelsim simulation tool, we proceeded with assessing the possibility of its hardware implementation on a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device. To this end, the apnea detector module was synthesized and designed. The low power consumption and the small size, characterizing this module, which have made it possible to integrate it as part of a wirelessly-powered implantable HGN stimulator.

[Abrikosoff's tumor: a clinicopathologic study of nine cases]. / Tumeur d'Abrikosoff : etude anatomoclinique de neuf cas.

BACKGROUND: Abrikossoff's tumour or granular cell tumor or is a benign neurogenic tumour. It is ubiquitous with the most frequently affected site is the head and neck region. AIMS: To report a series of granular cell tumors and to discuss its clinicopathologic features and histogenesis. METHODS: We report a series of nine cases diagnosed between January 2004 and December 2006 in the Pathology Department of the University Hospital of Sfax. We have collected the clinical aspects and we have proceeded on a pathological, cytochemical (PAS and PAS diastasis) and immunohistochemical study. RESULTS: Nine cases of TCG are presented: 5 females and 4 males. The median age was 33.9 years (extremes: 7 and 53 years). All tumours were unique. The most common localization was in the head and neck region (5 cases). The diagnosis was suspected using standard histologic criteria and confirmed by immunohistochemistry: tumour cells expressed vimentine (90%), S100 protein (100%) and neuron specifique enolase (80%). In all cases patients were treated by excisional resection and had a benign course with no evidence of recurrence (median follow up: 2 years). CONCLUSION: Granular cell tumours are rare neoplasm which must be recognised because they demonstrate a benign behaviour after their surgical excision. Histological features of granular cell tumours are commonly characteristic but some times they can be misdiagnosed as malignant tumours especially when the biopsy is superficial. The staining for neurogen markers and PAS are useful tools.