Method for treating a subject having neuromuscular impairment of the diaphragm
A method for treating a subject is provided where at least two types of electrical stimulation are provided to cause diaphragm contraction. At least one type of stimulation is configured to bias lung volume of a subject. The stimulation method may include without being limited to a method to treat a subject having neuromuscular impairment of the diaphragm. The stimulation method may also include without being limited to a method to treat a subject who has been diagnosed with central sleep apnea.
1 . A method of treating a subject who has been diagnosed with central sleep apnea comprising:
providing a first electrical stimulation to cause a diaphragm contraction to thereby elicit a lung volume bias; and
subsequently providing a second electrical stimulation to elicit at least one breath.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first electrical stimulation is provided after detection of a decreased respiratory drive.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the second electrical stimulation is provided after detection of central apnea.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first stimulation overlaps at least a portion of the second stimulation.
5 . A method for treating a subject having neuromuscular impairment of the diaphragm comprising:
providing a first electrical stimulation to elicit a diaphragm contraction and thereby elicit a lung volume bias immediately prior to:
providing a breathing assist stimulation to elicit diaphragm contraction to increase ventilation of a subject.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the subject having a neuromuscular impairment is a subject having paralysis impairing diaphragm movement.
7 . The method of claim 5 wherein the subject having a neuromuscular impairment is a subject having ALS.
8 . The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing breathing assist stimulation comprises providing stimulation configured to increase tidal volume of the subject.
9 . The method of claim 8 wherein the step of providing stimulation configured to increase tidal volume of the subject comprises providing stimulation to augment intrinsic breathing.
10 . The method of claim 8 wherein the step of providing stimulation configured to increase tidal volume comprises providing stimulation to create breaths.
11 . A method for treating a subject comprising;
providing a first electrical stimulation to elicit a diaphragm contraction and thereby elicit a lung volume bias immediately prior to or after:
providing a second therapeutic electrical stimulation to elicit a diaphragm contraction wherein the second therapeutic electrical stimulation is selected from a group comprising: breathing augmentation stimulation, deep inspiration therapy, increasing inspiration duration; and manipulating duty cycle of inspiration with respect to a respiration cycle.
12 . The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of providing the first electrical stimulation during the second electrical stimulation.