Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliciting a physiologically significant cough reflex, such as in a quadriplegic patient. The apparatus preferably has at least one pair of electrodes which are positioned about or near the abdominal muscles. The user generates an input signal. The input signal and a stimulus pulse signal are computed into an output signal. Prior to the delivery of the output signal, alerting signals are delivered to the user to alert the user of an upcoming cough and the onset of pulse electrical voltage to allow the user to engage appropriate volitional activity to optimally engage and complete the cough. The output signal is transformed into a pulse electrical voltage which is delivered across each pair of electrodes. Such pulse electrical voltage activates the lower motor neurons and thereby contracts the abdominal muscles to elicit a physiologically significant cough reflex.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliciting a physiologically significant cough reflex, such as in a quadriplegic patient. The apparatus preferably at least one pair of electrodes which are positioned about or near the abdominal muscles. A pushbutton switch is preferably used to generate an input signal. An oscillator is preferably used to generate a stimulus pulse signal. The input signal and the stimulus pulse signal are computed into an output signal. The output signal is transformed into a pulse electrical voltage which is delivered across each pair of electrodes. Such pulse electrical voltage activates the lower motor neurons and thereby contracts the abdominal muscles to elicit a physiologically significant cough reflex.