Suffering from Snoring? A Computerized Pillow Might Help

There is hope for peace and quiet in the bedroom for all the people suffering from snoring. At a health conference in Schwerin, Germany, on October 3, Daryoush Bazargani, a professor of computer science at the University of Rostock, Germany, presented the prototype of a computerized pillow, which is supposed to prevent or at least significantly reduce snoring in the person, whose head rests on the pillow while sleeping. (www.nnn.de)

The contraption invented by the professor and his team, consists of a pillow, which contains five air compartments. These air compartments are connected to a small computer. The computer is half the size of a paperback book. Therefore, it easily fits on a regular nightstand. The computer specifically adjusts the form and shape of the pillow to fit the person, whose head is resting on it. It conforms to the head form and position of the user.

Through a microphone, the noises of the person sleeping on the pillow are captured and then analyzed by the computer. Once the computer detects snoring noises, it causes the air compartments within the pillow to gently enlarge or constrict in order to shift the sleeping person's position. The movements are so gentle, the motion will not wake the sleeping person up. Through these shifts the nasal airflow of the sleeping person is increased thereby reducing the snoring. The computer will continue to shift the sleeping position of the head on the pillow until the snoring noise stops or is at least significantly reduced.

The sleep lab at the University Clinic of the University of Rostock, Germany, is currently testing the pillow. Thus far, the pillow has proven to be quite successful for sleepers whose snoring depends on their sleeping position and will change or stop once the position is changed. The pillow can significantly reduce the snoring incidents and thereby also aid in the prevention of sleep apnea. Additionally, as a nice side effect, the ergonomically shaped pillow is also useful for neck massages.

According to Daryoush Bazargani, there has been interest shown by several firms in the U.S., which would like to produce the pillow. However, as of now, it is not known, when the pillow will be ready for mass manufacturing. The testing has yet to be completed. If this contraption really works, there really is hope for all the people in the world, who suffer from snoring; hope for peace and quiet in the bedroom and maybe even a happier marriage.