Stimulation of abdominal and upperthoracic muscleswas studied with the longterm goal of improved respiratorycare for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. A 12channelstimulator and multiple surface and implanted Permaloc electrodeswere evaluated in five anesthetized canines. Abdominalstimulation with 100 mA using four bilateral sets of surfaceelectrodes placed on the midaxillary line at the 7th through 13thintercostal spaces and with a closed airway at a large lung volumeproduced an expiratory tracheal pressure of 109 +/– 29 cmH2O (n = 2, mean +/– standard error of the mean). Similar highpressures were induced with implanted electrodes at the samelocations. Upperthoracic stimulation with 40 mA and four setsof implanted electrodes ventral to the axilla induced inspiratorypressures of ?12 +/– 2 cm H2O (n = 5). Combined extradiaphragmaticpacing with an open airway produced a tidal volumeof 440 +/– 45 mL (n = 4). The robust respiratory volumes andpressures suggest applications in SCI respiratory care.
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