Restoring Cough Using Microstimulators
This technology would improve respiratory function in patients with spinal cord injuries.
Current techniques for management of expiratory dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injuries have varying degree of effectiveness and require active assistance. This invention introduces an improved, less invasive and more effective method of inducing forced expiration in patients. It is an injectable microstimulator placed adjacent to one or more thoracic spinal nerves to innervate an intercostal muscle. The microstimulator can be placed within an external distance of a neuroforamen through which the spinal nerve emerges from a thoracic vertebra. The method can also entail applying a stimulating controlled electrical current from the microstimulator to the thoracic spinal nerve at a sufficient intensity and duration to induce a forced contraction of the intercostal muscle innervated by that spinal nerve. The microstimulators can also be remotely activated to apply the current, without the use of lead lines into the body.
Patent Number: US20080051851A1
Application Number: US2007845713A
Inventor: Lin, Vernon
Priority Date: 28 Aug 2006
Priority Number: US20080051851A1
Application Date: 27 Aug 2007
Publication Date: 28 Feb 2008
IPC Current: A61N000102
US Class: 607042
Assignee Applicant: The U.S. Government represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and The Regents of the | University of California
Title: RESTORING COUGH USING MICROSTIMULATORS
Usefulness: RESTORING COUGH USING MICROSTIMULATORS
Summary: Method for inducing forced expiratory function e.g. cough, in a subject e.g. human, with a neurological disorder such as traumatic brain injuries, idiopathic disorder e.g. Guillain-Barre syndrome, infectious disorder such as poliovirus infection and degenerative disorder e.g. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Novelty: Forced expiratory function e.g. cough, inducing method for e.g. human, involves applying stimulating electrical current from injectable microstimulator to thoracic spinal nerve at sufficient intensity and duration
Disease Diagnostic/Treatment
Other Disease
Tech ID/UC Case 18769/2007-023-0 Related Cases 2007-023-0
USA
