Device and method for manipulating exhalation

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method of treating a sleep breathing disorder in a subject comprising:
providing an electrical stimulator; determining one or more respiratory parameters obtained from sensing respiration and identifying a portion of a respiratory cycle; and electrically stimulating a diaphragm or phrenic nerve tissue of the subject to directly control diaphragm muscle contractions by applying electrical stimulation within the exhalation cycle to maintain the diaphragm contracted relative to a non-stimulated diaphragm during the exhalation cycle such that residual air is held in the lungs where the residual air is increased beyond a volume present in the lungs of a non-stimulated exhalation, and wherein the electrical stimulation is adjusted in response to the one or more respiratory parameters.