Transcutaneous, dual channel phrenic nerve stimulator for diaphragm pacing

An electrical stimulation system for bilateral diaphragm pacing was constructed. The stimulator instrument comprises a transmitter and two implantable receivers and nerve electrodes. An optimised transcutaneous link system is described which utilises a radio frequency coupling to transmit both power and stimulus information to the receiver. The receiver unit was constructed in thick-film hybrid technology using bipolar and c.m.o.s. circuits and was packaged in a hermetically sealed metal case. The construction of the transmitter allows a high reliability, low power consumption and flexibility of the stimulus parameter control. A complete, bilateral phrenic nerve pacing system was implanted into a patient suffering from tetraplegia. It is concluded that electrical phrenic nerve stimulation to pace the diaphragm is capable of being used in clinical therapy.