Patent ID: 7970475
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
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.