Grant: Idea to Innovation
Simon Fraser University
$192,040.00
Transvascular diaphragm pacing electrodes
EF 2011-12
Résumé
The focus of this proposal is to develop a simple implantable electrode system that will help regain the use of
the diaphragm muscle in people who have lost the ability to breathe naturally and now depend on mechanical
ventilation for survival. Muscle paralysis can be temporary, or permanent when caused by an injury or disease
in the brain or spinal cord control centres. Paralyzed muscles can often be activated again by electrically
stimulating the nerves that connect to the muscles and providing appropriate activation patterns with an
implanted electronic control device. For people requiring mechanical ventilation this method can be lifesaving,
but has significant problems: it requires apparatus that is not readily portable so a patient tied to a ventilator
suffers atrophy of muscles and overall decline in well being; it interferes with eating and speaking; it tends to
provide insufficient venting which can lead to accumulation of fluid in the lungs and infection; requires costly
supervision, maintenance and disposables; and extends the duration and cost of hospitalization.
To help people who now depend on mechanical ventilation, we are developing an alternative solution of
electrically stimulating the phrenic nerves and ""pacing"" the diaphragm as required for breathing, using a
minimally invasive, intravenous method to place electrodes inside main veins that course near the phrenic
nerves. This method only requires local anesthesia, has been shown to be feasible in animals, and promises to
change the life of thousands of people who are now permanently dependent on a breathing machine.
The objectives of this proposal are: 1. Model the electrical fields produced by intravenous electrodes in relation
to nerves in proximity to the veins, 2. Fabricate and test electrode prototypes, 3. Assess in an animal model the
long-term safety and efficacy of pacing the diaphragm, and 4. fabricate and validate prototype electrodes
suitable for testing in intensive care patients who require mechanical ventilation.
Programme
Idea to Innovation
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
British Columbia, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
387185-2009
Name nom
Hoffer, JoaquinAndres
Department département
Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology
Organization id
5
Institution établissement
Simon Fraser University
Province en
British Columbia
Province fr
Colombie-Britannique
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2011
Competition year année de concours
2009
Award amount
192040
Program id
I2IPJ
Program nane en
Idea to Innovation
Program name fr
De l'idée à l'innovation
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
518
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Medical equipment and apparatus
Area of application fr
Appareils et instruments médicaux
Research subject code
1900
Research subject group en
Biomedical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie biomédical
Research subject en
Biomedical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie biomédical
Partie
2
Nb partie
2
Application title
Transvascular diaphragm pacing electrodes
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The focus of this proposal is to develop a simple implantable electrode system that will help regain the use of
the diaphragm muscle in people who have lost the ability to breathe naturally and now depend on mechanical
ventilation for survival. Muscle paralysis can be temporary, or permanent when caused by an injury or disease
in the brain or spinal cord control centres. Paralyzed muscles can often be activated again by electrically
stimulating the nerves that connect to the muscles and providing appropriate activation patterns with an
implanted electronic control device. For people requiring mechanical ventilation this method can be lifesaving,
but has significant problems: it requires apparatus that is not readily portable so a patient tied to a ventilator
suffers atrophy of muscles and overall decline in well being; it interferes with eating and speaking; it tends to
provide insufficient venting which can lead to accumulation of fluid in the lungs and infection; requires costly
supervision, maintenance and disposables; and extends the duration and cost of hospitalization.
To help people who now depend on mechanical ventilation, we are developing an alternative solution of
electrically stimulating the phrenic nerves and ""pacing"" the diaphragm as required for breathing, using a
minimally invasive, intravenous method to place electrodes inside main veins that course near the phrenic
nerves. This method only requires local anesthesia, has been shown to be feasible in animals, and promises to
change the life of thousands of people who are now permanently dependent on a breathing machine.
The objectives of this proposal are: 1. Model the electrical fields produced by intravenous electrodes in relation
to nerves in proximity to the veins, 2. Fabricate and test electrode prototypes, 3. Assess in an animal model the
long-term safety and efficacy of pacing the diaphragm, and 4. fabricate and validate prototype electrodes
suitable for testing in intensive care patients who require mechanical ventilation.
