Prospective study on breathing synchronized electrical stimulation of the abdominal muscles in patients with acute and chronic tetraplegia

Project-Nr. FF-FR0182B

Status:

ongoing 01/2011

Aims:

A major concern in intensive care of spinal cord injured patients with a lesion at cervical and thoracic level is the airway management and to prevent secondary medical complications. The aim of the research project is the development and clinical evaluation of an assistive device for supporting the process of weaning, for reducing the risk of pulmonary complications and for enabling increased cuffing. The device has to be designed to allow an intuitive use even by non-medical staff.

Activities/Methods:

Based on the principles of functional electrical stimulation an assistive device will be developed at the TU Berlin. Triggered by the measured air flow, stimulation of the abdominal muscles shall support the expiration in patients with cervical and thoracic lesion of the spinal cord (C5-Th3). Within the scope of a clinical study at the Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin with acute patients, the clinical outcome will be investigated and compared to standard treatment based on retrospective patient data.

Last update:

25/02/11