Abstract: A system and method for restoring inspiratory muscle function to restore breathing and expiratory muscle function to restore an effective cough in the same individual, wherein the systems that selectively activate the inspiratory or expiratory muscle function are separately ground to limit or prevent the flow of electrical current to both the expiratory and inspiratory muscles at the same time and to avoid damaging either neuromuscular system. Also described is the method by which the inspiratory or expiratory muscles are activated selectively to optimize the action of the inspiratory muscles to restore breathing and to optimize the action of the expiratory muscles to restore cough.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring inspiratory muscle function to restore breathing and expiratory muscle function to restore an effective cough in the same individual, wherein the systems that selectively activate the inspiratory or expiratory muscle function are separately ground to limit or prevent the flow of electrical current to both the expiratory and inspiratory muscles at the same time and to avoid damaging either neuromuscular system. Also described is the method by which the inspiratory or expiratory muscles are activated selectively to optimize the action of the inspiratory muscles to restore breathing and to optimize the action of the expiratory muscles to restore cough.

Abstract: A method of electrically stimulating the inspiratory muscles in a subject is provided. The method includes positioning one or more electrodes at one or more levels of the upper thoracic spinal cord of the subject and operating the electrode to deliver high frequency electrical stimulation to the spinal cord tracts at the level or levels. The high frequency electrical stimulation of the spinal cord results in the coordinated activation of the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and accessory muscles in the subject to effect artificial ventilation in the subject.

Abstract: A method of electrically stimulating the inspiratory muscles in a subject is provided. The method includes positioning one or more electrodes at one or more levels of the upper thoracic spinal cord of the subject and operating the electrode to deliver high frequency electrical stimulation to the spinal cord tracts at the level or levels. The high frequency electrical stimulation of the spinal cord results in the coordinated activation of the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and accessory muscles in the subject to effect artificial ventilation in the subject.

Abstract: A custom telephone apparatus and a method of manufacturing same are provided. In addition to conventional telephone features, the custom telephone includes a memory that is permanently pre-programmed with one or more area codes according to a particular geographic region or as requested by a particular user. The telephone includes permanently labeled area code selector switches or buttons that, when depressed by a user, cause the telephone to dial the area code and any required leading “1” or other digits as a prefix to the telephone number entered by the user by way of a conventional key pad. Thus, the user need only depress a single button to dial “1” plus the area code before a telephone number is entered into the telephone. The memory can also be permanently programmed with one or more complete custom telephone numbers as specified in advance by a particular user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for electrical stimulation of the expiratory muscles in a human or other mammal to produce cough in patients with spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis of their expiratory muscles. The method of electrically activating expiratory muscles of a human patient or other mammal includes positioning a first epidural electrode at a first location on the dorsal surface of a spinal cord of a patient and a second epidural electrode, if necessary, at a second location on the dorsal surface of the patient's spinal cord. The first epidural electrode is positioned on the spinal cord dorsal surface in the region of the T.sub.9 -T.sub.10 spinal root level, while the second epidural electrode is positioned in the region of the lower thoracic spinal root, at the T.sub.12 -L.sub.1 spinal cord level.