[Artificial intelligence in sleep analysis (ARTISANA)--modelling visual processes in sleep classification].

We describe a novel approach to the problem of automated sleep stage recognition. The ARTISANA algorithm mimics the behaviour of a human expert visually scoring sleep stages (Rechtschaffen and Kales classification). It comprises a number of interacting components that imitate the stepwise approach of the human expert, and artificial intelligence components. On the basis of parameters extracted at 1-s intervals from the signal curves, artificial neural networks recognize the incidence of typical patterns, e.g. delta activity or K complexes. This is followed by a rule interpretation stage that identifies the sleep stage with the aid of a neuro-fuzzy system while taking account of the context. Validation studies based on the records of 8 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea have confirmed the potential of this approach. Further features of the system include the transparency of the decision-taking process, and the flexibility of the option for expanding the system to cover new patterns and criteria.