Bipolar spinal cord stimulation to activate the expiratory muscles to restore cough

摘要

Methods and devices are provided for electrical stimulation of the expiratory muscles in humans or other mammals to produce cough in patients with spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis of the expiratory muscles. An electrode, or a group of two or more electrodes (i.e. wire lead electrodes, disc electrodes, etc.) are positioned along the spinal cord, usually along the dorsal epidural surface. The electrodes can be located at different spinal cord levels and can be located in a parallel arrangement. Electrical stimulation, such as bipolar electrical stimulation, is then applied to activate the expiratory muscles and produce cough.