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Device for manipulating tidal volume and breathing entrainment

  • US 9,370,657 B2
  • Filed: 06/27/2011
  • Issued: 06/21/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A breathing disorder treatment device for manipulating breathing comprising:

  • an electrical stimulator configured to deliver an electrical stimulation protocol directed to controlling breathing of a subject;

    an electrode configured to be implanted to stimulate tissue associated with a phrenic nerve or diaphragm of a subject to cause a diaphragm response, wherein the stimulator is in electrical communication with the electrode to thereby supply an electrically stimulating signal to the tissue according, to the electrical stimulation protocol;

    an intrinsic breathing detector configured to detect an onset of a first and subsequent intrinsic breath and to identify one or more portions of one or more respiratory cycles internally within a subject'"'"'s body; and

    a control unit in communication with said stimulator, electrode, and breathing detector, said control unit programmed to cause stimulation to occur during a respiratory cycle and to further stimulate breathing at a first respiratory rate greater than or equal to an intrinsic respiratory rate,wherein said control unit is further programmed to initiate the stimulation upon detection by the breathing detector of a respiratory disorder as determined by the control unit, where the stimulation is applied during at least a first selected existing intrinsic respiration such that an existing tidal volume which is present during the selected intrinsic respiration is increased during the intrinsic breath, andwherein said control unit is further programmed to apply the stimulation at a rate greater than or equal to the intrinsic respiratory rate until respiration is in phase with the stimulation to entrain breathing or inhibit central respiratory drive for a period of time to treat or mitigate respiratory disorder.

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