Device and method for biasing lung volume
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for manipulating lung volume comprisingan electrode configured to stimulate tissue associated with respiration of a patient to cause a diaphragm response;
- one or more sensors configured to be attached to or placed within the patient'"'"'s body and configured to sense respiration;
a control unit comprising;
a) a stimulator in electrical communication with the electrode and configured to supply an electrically stimulating signal to the tissue in response to the sensed respiration detected internally within the patient'"'"'s body, wherein the stimulator is configured to provide the electrically stimulating signal at least in part during an end of an exhalation period; and
b) a processor which is in communication with the sensor and which is programmed to identify a portion of a respiratory cycle, including an exhalation period and coordinate the electrically stimulating signal with the sensed respiration and which is further programmed to detect for a characteristic indicative of a disordered respiratory event from the sensed respiration,wherein the processor is further programmed to compare the sensed respiration against a predetermined threshold and then provide the electrically stimulating signal at least in part during an end of an identified exhalation period when the characteristic is detected where the signal has a waveform which is provided in response to the sensed respiration such that an additional lung volume is created.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A device for manipulating lung volume comprising
an electrode configured to stimulate tissue associated with respiration of a patient to cause a diaphragm response; -
one or more sensors configured to be attached to or placed within the patient'"'"'s body and configured to sense respiration; a control unit comprising; a) a stimulator in electrical communication with the electrode and configured to supply an electrically stimulating signal to the tissue in response to the sensed respiration detected internally within the patient'"'"'s body, wherein the stimulator is configured to provide the electrically stimulating signal at least in part during an end of an exhalation period; and b) a processor which is in communication with the sensor and which is programmed to identify a portion of a respiratory cycle, including an exhalation period and coordinate the electrically stimulating signal with the sensed respiration and which is further programmed to detect for a characteristic indicative of a disordered respiratory event from the sensed respiration, wherein the processor is further programmed to compare the sensed respiration against a predetermined threshold and then provide the electrically stimulating signal at least in part during an end of an identified exhalation period when the characteristic is detected where the signal has a waveform which is provided in response to the sensed respiration such that an additional lung volume is created. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for manipulating lung volume comprising the steps of:
-
sensing respiration and identifying a portion of the respiratory cycle, including an exhalation period, in a patient detected internally within the patient'"'"'s body via at least one electrode; detecting via a processor for a characteristic indicative of a disordered respiratory event from the internally sensed respiration; comparing the sensed respiration against a predetermined threshold; and
,when the characteristic is detected, electrically stimulating tissue associated with respiration to a diaphragm at least in part during the end of an identified exhalation period, where a waveform of the stimulation for controlling respiration is provided in response to the sensed characteristic to create an additional lung capacity. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of treating a subject comprising:
-
providing an electrode configured to stimulate tissue associated with respiration of a subject to cause a diaphragm response and a stimulator in electrical communication with the electrode; sensing respiration and identifying a portion of a respiratory cycle, including an exhalation period of a breath in the subject detected internally within the subject'"'"'s body; detecting via a processor for a characteristic indicative of a disordered respiratory event from the internally sensed respiration; comparing the sensed respiration against a predetermined threshold; and
,when the characteristic is detected, electrically stimulating tissue associated with respiration of the diaphragm at least in part at the end of an identified exhalation period, where a waveform of the stimulation is provided in response to the sensed respiration to provide a relative increase in lung volume at an end portion of exhalation. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification