Device and method for biasing lung volume

Abstract

A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of manipulating breathing, comprising:
 detecting an onset of a first and subsequent intrinsic breath via an intrinsic breathing detector within a subject's body;   identifying one or more portions of one or more respiratory cycles internally within the subject's body,   determining whether a respiratory disorder is detected via a control unit in communication with the intrinsic breathing detector;   upon detecting the respiratory disorder, delivering an electrically stimulating signal via an electrode to tissue associated with a phrenic nerve or diaphragm of the subject to cause a diaphragm response, wherein the electrically stimulating signal is delivered during at least a first selected existing intrinsic respiration such that an existing tidal volume which is present during the selected intrinsic respiration is increased during the intrinsic breath; and   entraining respiration or inhibiting central respiratory drive for a period of time to treat or mitigate the respiratory disorder by further delivering the electrically stimulating signal until respiration is at a first respiratory rate greater than or equal to an intrinsic respiratory rate and the respiration is in phase with the electrically stimulating signal.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein identifying one or more portions of the one or more respiratory cycles comprises identifying an inspiration portion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein delivering an electrically stimulating signal via an electrode comprises delivering the signal in synchronization with the inspiration portion. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising increasing a rate of the electrically stimulating signal after providing the signal during the inspiration portion. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein identifying one or more portions of the one or more respiratory cycles comprises identifying an exhalation portion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein delivering an electrically stimulating signal via an electrode comprises delivering the signal in synchronization with the exhalation portion. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein delivering an electrically stimulating signal comprises delivering the electrically stimulating signal to elicit a sequence of augmented intrinsic inspirations. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2  wherein delivering an electrically stimulating signal comprises delivering the electrically stimulating signal to provide a peak flow less than or equal to a peak flow of an intrinsic breath. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising placing the electrode transvenously within the subject prior to delivering an electrically stimulating signal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising stimulating a hypoglossal nerve such that an upper airway is stimulated in coordination with the phrenic nerve or diaphragm.