Patent ID: 8676323

Claim:
A method of increasing lung compliance on a breath by breath basis by supporting mechanical respiration of a patient with a diaphragm stimulation system comprising an external stimulator and one or more electrodes configured to be implanted at one or more sites in a diaphragm, the external stimulator configured to stimulate the one or more electrodes independently, the method comprising: initiating a breath by initiating airflow into the lungs of a patient receiving positive mechanical ventilation from a positive pressure mechanical ventilator (PPMV), constraining the PPMV to a maximal airway pressure, and preferentially stimulating different regions of the diaphragm over a portion of an inspiration with the one or more electrodes to direct airflow from the PPMV to a region of the lung and thereby increase tidal volume and preventing pressure from the PPMV from exceeding the maximal airway pressure during the breath, thereby improving respiratory compliance on a breath by breath basis.