Abstract: A device and method for detecting and treating airflow limitations in a subject is provided. Levels of flow limited breathing may be differentiated. Obstruction versus flow limited breathing may be differentiated as well. The EMG complex characteristics may be used to detect obstruction or flow limited breathing. The power spectral density plot of the EMG may be used to detect obstruction or flow limited breathing.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for treating obstructive respiratory events by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the phrenic nerve or diaphragm to elicit a respiratory response.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a variety of conditions, disorders or diseases with diaphragm/phrenic nerve stimulation is provided.

Abstract: A stimulation device is provided that stimulates breathing to manipulate blood gas concentrations such as SaO2 or PCO2 and thereby treat underlying causes of breathing disorders and heart failure progression. A programmable device is provided for setting diaphragm stimulation waveforms that adjust minute ventilation about a predetermined baseline value. Normal breathing of the subject is observed to establish a baseline reference minute ventilation, and the device is programmed to produce stimulation waveforms that may provide either a decrease or an increase in the patients minute ventilation. The minute ventilation of the subject may be decreased or increased from the baseline level by decreasing or increasing a parameter that changes minute ventilators.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for therapeutic stimulating, augmenting, manipulating and/or controlling breathing, in combination with stimulation of auxiliary respiratory nerves or muscles including the upper airway tract, chest wall muscles or abdominal muscles. Stimulation may be provided, for example, to augment breathing or to prevent closing of the upper airway during therapeutic stimulation. Stimulation may be also provided to the Hypoglossal nerve during exhalation.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for therapeutic stimulating, augmenting, manipulating and/or controlling breathing, in combination with stimulation of auxiliary respiratory nerves or muscles including the upper airway tract, chest wall muscles or abdominal muscles. Stimulation may be provided, for example, to augment breathing or to prevent closing of the upper airway during therapeutic stimulation. Stimulation may be also provided to the Hypoglossal nerve during exhalation.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a variety of conditions, disorders or diseases with diaphragm/phrenic nerve stimulation is provided.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a subject is provided where electrical stimulation may be separately provided to each hemidiaphragm to cause diaphragm contraction. Fatigue may be avoided among other possible benefits. Each hemidiaphragm may also be stimulated with different stimulation parameters. Stimulation may be smoothly transitioned between hemidiaphragms. Such stimulation may provide an increase in functional residual capacity or other therapeutic effects.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for controlling breathing of a subject by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve of the subject.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for blending two images using vector table look up operations. In one aspect of the invention, a method to blend two images includes: loading a vector of keys into a vector register; converting the vector of keys into a first vector of blending factors for the first image and a second vector of blending factors for the second image using a plurality of look up tables; and computing an image attribute for the blended image using the blending factors.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient is provided where a sensed cardiac rhythm is used to adjust electrical stimulation that is used to activate a diaphragm to cause contraction. A cardiac rhythm management device in combination with a diaphragm stimulation device is also provided which includes a cardiac stimulation device configured to provide stimulation to control cardiac rhythm of a subject; and an electrical stimulation device configured to provided electrical stimulation to a subject to activate a diaphragm to increase functional residual capacity of the subject.

Abstract: A diaphragm stimulator is provided to treat one or more diseases disorders or conditions where the stimulator is configured to be implanted by way of a thoracoscopic approach to the diaphragm. The stimulator may include sensors positioned within the thorax. The stimulator may also include or be used with a cardiac rhythm management device.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.

Abstract: A stimulation device is provided that stimulates breathing to manipulate blood gas concentrations such as SaO2 or PCO2 and thereby treat underlying causes of breathing disorders and heart failure progression. A programmable device is provided for setting diaphragm stimulation waveforms that adjust minute ventilation about a predetermined baseline value. Normal breathing of the subject is observed to establish a baseline reference minute ventilation, and the device is programmed to produce stimulation waveforms that may provide either a decrease or an increase in the patients minute ventilation. The minute ventilation of the subject may be decreased or increased from the baseline level by decreasing or increasing a parameter that changes minute ventilators.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for electrically stimulating the diaphragm to control breathing while inhibiting respiratory drive. A stimulation phase is identified. The stimulation phase is a period of time within the breathing cycle in which stimulation will inhibit respiratory drive. The respiratory drive inhibition may be used in a number of applications including but not limited to: improving or remodeling the heart in heart failure patients, treating apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and hypertension.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a variety of conditions, disorders or diseases with diaphragm/phrenic nerve stimulation is provided.