Method and apparatus for artificially stimulating cough reflex
First Claim
1. An artificial cough reflex apparatus comprising:
- at least one pair of electrodes, stimulator means for electronically receiving an input signal and computing an output signal corresponding to a stimulus time period, input means for generating said input signal as a representation of a volitional decision of a user to initiate a cough, signal means for alerting said user of an upcoming said cough, said stimulator means emitting said output signal after an adjustable time delay during which said user coordinates a volitional activity, transformer means for transforming said output signal into a pulse electrical voltage across each said pair of electrodes that activates lower motor neurons and contracts a plurality of expiratory muscles, said signal means for signalling said user to engage said volitional activity and complete said cough, and sensor means for calculating an optimal time as a function of a physical and temporal status of said cough and said volitional activity and for producing said pulse electrical voltage at said optimal time to maximize an air flow rate of said cough.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for eliciting a physiologically significant cough reflex, such as in a quadriplegic patient. The apparatus preferably has at least one pair of electrodes which are positioned about or near the abdominal muscles. The user generates an input signal. The input signal and a stimulus pulse signal are computed into an output signal. Prior to the delivery of the output signal, alerting signals are delivered to the user to alert the user of an upcoming cough and the onset of pulse electrical voltage to allow the user to engage appropriate volitional activity to optimally engage and complete the cough. The output signal is transformed into a pulse electrical voltage which is delivered across each pair of electrodes. Such pulse electrical voltage activates the lower motor neurons and thereby contracts the abdominal muscles to elicit a physiologically significant cough reflex. The pulse electrical voltage can be delivered at an optimum time, which can be calculated as a function of a physical and temporal status of the cough and a volitional activity by the user, in order to achieve a maximum air flow rate of the cough.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An artificial cough reflex apparatus comprising:
at least one pair of electrodes, stimulator means for electronically receiving an input signal and computing an output signal corresponding to a stimulus time period, input means for generating said input signal as a representation of a volitional decision of a user to initiate a cough, signal means for alerting said user of an upcoming said cough, said stimulator means emitting said output signal after an adjustable time delay during which said user coordinates a volitional activity, transformer means for transforming said output signal into a pulse electrical voltage across each said pair of electrodes that activates lower motor neurons and contracts a plurality of expiratory muscles, said signal means for signalling said user to engage said volitional activity and complete said cough, and sensor means for calculating an optimal time as a function of a physical and temporal status of said cough and said volitional activity and for producing said pulse electrical voltage at said optimal time to maximize an air flow rate of said cough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for artificially inducing a cough, including the steps of:
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(a) positioning at least one pair of electrodes about a plurality of abdominal muscles; (b) generating an input signal representing a volitional decision of a user to initiate the cough; (c) generating a signal to alert said user of an upcoming said cough; (d) emitting a computed output signal after an adjustable time delay during which said user coordinates a volitional activity; (e) transforming said output signal into a pulse electrical voltage across each said pair of electrodes; (f) activating lower motor neurons and thereby contracting said abdominal muscles; (g) signalling said user to engage said volitional activity and complete said cough; (h) calculating an optimal time as a function of a physical and temporal status of the cough and said volitional activity; and (i) producing said pulse electrical voltage at said optimal time to maximize air flow of the cough. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification