Ventilatory assist system and methods to improve respiratory function
First Claim
1. A method of supporting respiration of a patient with a system,the system comprising an external stimulator and one or more electrodes implanted at one or more sites in the diaphragm, the external stimulator configured to stimulate the one or more electrodes independently,the method comprising:
- initiating a breath, andstimulating the diaphragm with the one or more electrodes during the breath to increase tidal volume and/or to decrease maximal lung pressure in a lung during the breath, thereby improving respiratory compliance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided to improve respiratory function. Systems include an external electrical stimulator coupled to electrodes that stimulates diaphragm contraction and may optionally include a positive pressure mechanical ventilator. The system further includes an electrode suitable for temporary implantation. Electrical stimulation is provided to specific portions of the diaphragm, such as one hemidiaphragm preferentially over another. By preferentially contracting one hemidiaphragm, a specific portion of a lung may be expanded, such as a posterior portion. By the provision of the negative intrathoracic pressure from diaphragm contraction, greater expansion of specific portion of lung is achieved in relationship to air pressure within the lung, thereby improving compliance. Supplementation of stimulated diaphragm contraction with positive pressure driven air flow from a PPMV directs the air flow to specific portions of the lung. Such portion may include a posterior portion of a lung, and may cause a clearing of atelectasis in that portion.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method of supporting respiration of a patient with a system,
the system comprising an external stimulator and one or more electrodes implanted at one or more sites in the diaphragm, the external stimulator configured to stimulate the one or more electrodes independently, the method comprising: -
initiating a breath, and stimulating the diaphragm with the one or more electrodes during the breath to increase tidal volume and/or to decrease maximal lung pressure in a lung during the breath, thereby improving respiratory compliance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of treating a patient with an atelectatic lung region with a system,
the system comprising an external stimulator and one or more electrodes implanted at one or more sites in the diaphragm, the external stimulator configured to stimulate the one or more electrodes independently, and a positive pressure mechanical ventilator (PPMV), the method comprising: -
initiating a breath, ventilating the patient with the PPMV during the breath, stimulating the diaphragm with the one or more electrodes during the breath to increase tidal volume and/or to decrease maximal lung pressure during the breath, wherein the one or more electrodes are implanted and/or stimulated so as to preferentially stimulate a specific portion of the diaphragm such that the volume of atelectatic region is expanded, and clearing the atelectatic region.
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35. An electrode suitable for temporary placement in tissue comprising:
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a needle at a first end, a central portion comprising a straight insulated lead, a helically wound insulated lead portion, and a deinsulated coiled portion, and a deinsulated barb and a stop at a second end. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of inserting an electrode suitable for temporary placement in a tissue site, the electrode comprising a needle at a first end, a central portion comprising a straight insulated lead, a helically wound insulated lead portion, and a deinsulated coiled portion, and a deinsulated barb and a stop at a second end,
the method comprising inserting the electrode into a tissue site surface by the first end comprising the needle, and pulling the electrode through the tissue until the second end comprising the stop is at the tissue site surface.
Specification