Diaphragm and accessory respiratory muscle stimulation using intramuscular electrodes

We tested the hypothesis that electrical stimulation of respiratory muscles can be obtained from intramuscular electrodes. In acute anesthetized dogs, suture-type intramuscular electrodes were placed in each hemidiaphragm and needle electrodes were placed in various intercostal regions of the thorax. During a hyperventilation induced period of apnea a 2-second stimulation was applied to the diaphragm or to the thoracic electrodes, followed by a combined thoracic-diaphragm stimulation period. Thoracic expansion and tidal volumes were measured as indices of inspiratory effort. We found that diaphragm stimulation produced tidal volumes between 104% and 180% of spontaneous breathing. Electrodes in the upper thorax produced chest expansion and when combined with diaphragm stimulation increased tidal volumes ( p < .05). We conclude that intramuscular electrodes represent a feasible method for long-term electrogenic ventilation. Also, thoracic support for diaphragm pacing in quadriplegics could produce a more effective long-term system that is less prone to fatigue and failure.