phrenic nerve pacing; diaphragm pacing; electrophrenic respiration

Indications

• facilitation of respiration in patients that would otherwise require mechanical ventilation
  • central sleep apnea
    • Ondine' curse
  • spinal cord injury
  • diaphragm paralysis

Procedure

• an electrode is placed around the phrenic nerve, either in the neck or in the chest
• the electrode is connected to a radiofrequency receiver which is implanted just under the skin
• an external transmitter sends radio signals to the device by an antenna which is worn over the receiver

More general terms

• neurostimulation (nerve stimulation)