Patent ID: 8281792
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61H,A61M

Abstract:
1. A diaphragm assist device comprising: a magnetic mat adapted for mounting inside a human body adjacent the diaphragm, said mat being made from a material responsive to application of an electromagnetic field so as to be movable in a first direction into compressive relation with the diaphragm in response to application of the electromagnetic field thereto and movable in a second direction out of said compressive relation to permit the diaphragm to relax when application of said electromagnetic field is discontinued; a detector for detecting expiration and/or inspiration in the human body; an electromagnetic assembly comprising an inductive coil adapted for surrounding a torso of the human body in functionally cooperative relation with respect to said mat, and for alternately generating and discontinuing said electromagnetic field in response to the detection of expiration and/or inspiration by the detector so that said mat alternately moves into and out of said compressive relation with the diaphragm; a sensor for evaluating a force applied to the diaphragm during movement of said mat into compressive relation with the diaphragm and for generating an electrical signal as a function of said force; and a controller constructed and arranged to receive said signal generated by said sensor and to control an intensity level of the electromagnetic field generated by said electromagnetic assembly as a function of said signal to thereby control a degree to which said mat compresses the diaphragm.