Diaphragm pacing for spinal cord injury

About

In diaphragm pacing, doctors perform a minimally invasive procedure to implant four electrodes into your diaphragm muscle and a fifth electrode just below the skin near the other electrodes. Doctors then connect these electrodes to an external stimulator. The stimulator gives ongoing electrical stimulation to the electrodes, causing your diaphragm to contract and helping you to breathe.

After your procedure, you'll need diaphragm conditioning to help you adjust to diaphragm pacing and help your diaphragm function well. In diaphragm conditioning, you transition between using the ventilator and the diaphragm pacing system several times a day for many days to weeks.

Diaphragm pacing may:

• Reduce or eliminate the time you spend using a ventilator or other assisted breathing devices
• Help you breathe and speak more naturally
• Increase your mobility and transportation options
• Make your activities such as dressing, bathing and transferring easier
• Decrease your risk of respiratory infections
• Improve your sense of smell and taste
• Reduce the need for an external power source and concern about power outages