Biosignal Challenge

BioSignal Challenge is a student competition aimed at developing algorithms for the detection and classification of biomedical signals in MATLAB.

The 2024 Challenge aims to develop an algorithm for detecting sleep apnea using modern computational resources and annotated signals of airflow, oxygenation, and ECG. A robustly designed and reliably functioning algorithm would significantly accelerate the work of physicians who currently have to manually review multi-hour recordings and annotate apneic episodes.

Because of data licensing, this year’s Challenge is available only to students from the Czech Republic.

Detailed information is available at Biosignal Challenge 2024.

Medical motivation:

Sleep apnea, characterized by repetitive cycles of interrupted breathing, affects approximately 10 % of middle-aged adults, especially overweight or obese men. However, nearly 80 % of people with this disorder remain undiagnosed and untreated.

The disease not only leads to the cessation of oxygen supply and consequently a decrease in blood oxygen saturation but also to a significant decline in sleep quality and overall patient health. Patients often wake up feeling tired, even after a full night's sleep.