65 results about "Phrenic nerve" patented technology

A device and method are provided for managing the treatment of a patient with respiratory disorders or symptoms. Respiratory parameters are sensed and recorded and communicated to an external device to provide information to a patient and/or provider for further treatment or diagnosis. Also respiratory disorders such as apnea or hypoventilation may be treated by electrically stimulating the diaphragm muscle or phrenic nerve in response to a sensed respiratory parameter or characteristic.

A device and method are provided for treating obstructive respiratory events by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the phrenic nerve or diaphragm to elicit a respiratory response.

Approaches for characterizing a phrenic stimulation threshold, a cardiac capture threshold, a maximum device parameter, and a minimum device parameter are described. A plurality of cardiac pacing pulses can be delivered by using a cardiac pacing device, a pacing parameter of the plurality of cardiac pacing pulses being changed between delivery of at least some of the pulses. One or more sensor signals can be evaluated to detect stimulation of the phrenic nerve by one or more of the plurality of cardiac pacing pluses. The evaluation of the one or more sensor signals and the pacing parameter can be compared to determine if a phrenic stimulation threshold is at least one of higher than a maximum device parameter and lower than a minimum device parameter.

Techniques are provided for treating periodic breathing, such as Cheyne-Stokes Respiration, using an implantable medical system. In one technique, diaphragmatic stimulation is delivered during a hyperpnea phase of periodic breathing via electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerves. Diaphragmatic stimulation is synchronized with intrinsic inspiration so as to increase the amplitude of diaphragmatic contraction during inspiration. This tends to decrease intrathoracic pressure leading to occlusion of the respiratory airway. Occlusion reduces actual ventilation during hyperpnea, thus reducing the cyclic blood chemistry imbalance that sustains periodic breathing so as to either mitigate periodic breathing or eliminate it completely. In another technique, respiration is instead inhibited during the hyperpnea phase of periodic breathing by blocking phrenic nerve signals to the extent necessary to reduce ventilation to terminate periodic breathing or at least mitigate its severity. Techniques are also described for controlling the type of therapy applied in response to periodic breathing.

Approaches to rank potential left ventricular (LV) pacing vectors are described. Early elimination tests are performed to determine the viability of LV cathode electrodes. Some LV cathodes are eliminated from further testing based on the early elimination tests. LV cathodes identified as viable cathodes are tested further. Viable LV cathode electrodes are tested for hemodynamic efficacy. Cardiac capture and phrenic nerve activation thresholds are then measured for potential LV pacing vectors comprising a viable LV cathode electrode and an anode electrode. The potential LV pacing vectors are ranked based on one or more of the hemodynamic efficacy of the LV cathodes, the cardiac capture thresholds, and the phrenic nerve activation thresholds.

A device and method is provided for controlling breathing of a subject by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve of the subject.

A device and method is provided for increasing the functional residual capacity of lungs of a subject by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve of the subject.

An implantable system is provided for stimulation of the heart, phrenic nerve, or other tissue structures accessible via a patient's airway. The stimulation system includes an implantable controller housing which includes a pulse generator; at least one electrical lead attachable to said pulse generator; and at least one electrode carried by the at least one electrical lead, wherein the at least one electrode is positionable and fixable at a selected position within an airway of a patient. The controller housing may be adaptable for implantation subcutaneous, or alternatively, at a selected position within the patient's trachea or bronchus, wherein the controller housing is proportioned to substantially permit airflow through the patient's airway about housing.

An implantable medical device for treating breathing disorders such as central sleep apnea wherein stimulation is provided to the phrenic never through a transvenous lead system with the stimulation beginning after inspiration to extend the duration of a breath and to hold the diaphragm in a contracted condition.

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.

A device and method is provided for improving upper airway functionality by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve of a subject.

Improved methods and devices perform respiratory control of a person due to conditions such as sleep apnea. According to one embodiment, a respiratory control method includes delivering stimulation signals according to one or more stimulation parameters to phrenic nerves of a person. The person's chest activity is monitored, e.g., by sensing signals in a chamber of the person's heart, to determine the person's respiratory cycle. The stimulation cycle and respiratory cycle are compared. In response, the one or more stimulation parameters are adjusted. In subsequent stimulation cycle(s), the method delivers the stimulation signals according to the adjusted stimulation parameters. This feedback mechanism may continue until respiratory control is captured.

Techniques are provided for treating periodic breathing, such as Cheyne-Stokes Respiration, using an implantable medical system. In one technique, diaphragmatic stimulation is delivered during a hyperpnea phase of periodic breathing via electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerves. Diaphragmatic stimulation is synchronized with intrinsic inspiration so as to increase the amplitude of diaphragmatic contraction during inspiration. This tends to decrease intrathoracic pressure leading to occlusion of the respiratory airway. Occlusion reduces actual ventilation during hyperpnea, thus reducing the cyclic blood chemistry imbalance that sustains periodic breathing so as to either mitigate periodic breathing or eliminate it completely. In another technique, respiration is instead inhibited during the hyperpnea phase of periodic breathing by blocking phrenic nerve signals to the extent necessary to reduce ventilation to terminate periodic breathing or at least mitigate its severity. Techniques are also described for controlling the type of therapy applied in response to periodic breathing.

A nerve stimulation device has a pulse generator for generating stimulation pulses and an output for the stimulation pulses from the pulse generator, which is connectable to an electrode arrangement adapted for interaction with a living being to stimulate the phrenic nerve. The nerve stimulation device is made more safe and effective by the provision of an input connectable to an esophageal electrode for the reception of measurement signals. The esophageal electrode is adapted to be inserted in the esophagus of the living being for obtaining measurement signals. A signal analyzer filters myo-electrical signals from the diaphragm out of the measurement signals and a regulating unit regulates the pulse generator dependent on the myo-electrical signals.

Medical devices, systems, and methods are provided for providing respiratory therapy by electrically stimulating the phrenic nerves and/or the thoracic diaphragm. In one embodiment, at least one electrode is deployed to a position within the patient's airway and placed in proximity to a phrenic nerve or to the diaphragm. The electrode may be attached to a controller housing including a pulse generator using one or more electrical lead or leads or may be in wireless communication with the pulse generator. The controller housing may be implanted at a position within the patient or the controller housing may reside external to the patient.

An implantable cardiac device includes a sensor for sensing patient respiration and detecting phrenic nerve activation. A first filter channel attenuates first frequencies of the sensor signal to produce a first filtered output. A second filter channel attenuates second frequencies of the respiration signal to produce a second filtered output. Patient activity is evaluated using the first filtered output and phrenic nerve activation caused by cardiac pacing is detected using the second filtered output.