Patent ID: 9597509
Date: 2017-03-21
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61N,G16H

Claim:
1. A method for developing a recruitment curve corresponding to an electrode combination, comprising: inserting a plurality of electrodes into a patient, wherein the plurality of electrodes include the electrode combination; using the electrode combination, stimulating a phrenic nerve with a first plurality of stimulation pulses during a first end-expiratory phase of a first breath; based on a diaphragm response to the first plurality of stimulation pulses, determining a first range of charges that includes a nerve activation threshold of the recruitment curve; using the electrode combination, stimulating the phrenic nerve with a second plurality of stimulation pulses during a second end-expiratory phase of a second breath; based on a diaphragm response to the second plurality of stimulation pulses, determining a second range of charges within a proportional recruitment section of the recruitment curve; using the electrode combination, stimulating the phrenic nerve with a third plurality of stimulation pulses during a third end-expiratory phase of a third breath; based on a diaphragm response to the third plurality of stimulation pulses, determining a third range of charges that includes a maximal recruitment level of the recruitment curve; developing the recruitment curve based on at least the first, second, and third ranges; and after developing the recruitment curve: a) stimulating the phrenic nerve with the electrode combination, b) using the recruitment curve, determining an expected diaphragm response to the stimulation, and c) comparing an actual diaphragm response to the expected diaphragm response.