Diaphragm pacemaker

摘要

The application describes a diaphragm pacemaker that uses an implanted CO2 sensor to constantly monitor CO2 in the body and adjust the pace of breathing based on the amount of CO2. The sensor is preferably placed in tissue such as fat or muscle to sense CO2. The CO2 sensor and diaphragm pacemaker unit are preferably implanted in the shoulder or neck area so that the entire device may be implanted and connected to the body without invading the stomach or diaphragm area.

主权项

1. A diaphragm pacemaker for assisting the breathing of a patient, the diaphragm pacemaker comprising:
a sensor unit configured to be implantable in the patient at a measurement site, the sensor unit for generating a plurality of carbon dioxide measurement signals representative of the amount of carbon dioxide at the measurement site; and a pacemaker unit for receiving the plurality of carbon dioxide measurement signals from the sensor unit and for delivering a plurality of stimulating pulses to a phrenic nerve of the patient based at least in part on the plurality of carbon dioxide measurement signals.