Jefferson First Hospital in Pennsylvania to Offer New Device Allowing Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries to Breathe Without a Ventilator
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
(TJUH) in Philadelphia is the first hospital in Pennsylvania to offer a
FDA-approved device that helps individuals with certain types of spinal
cord injuries breathe on their own again. Michael Weinstein, M.D.,
assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at Jefferson, is among
the first surgeons in the United States to implant the NeuRx DPS™ in
patients with spinal cord injuries who lack voluntary control of their
diaphragms. The device provides electrical stimulation to muscle and
nerves in the diaphragm. When the muscle is stimulated, the diaphragm
contracts and creates a vacuum-like effect in the chest cavity that
allows air to fill the upper and lower parts of the lungs. When this
contraction eases, the air is expelled from the lungs – essentially the
same as regular breathing.
“In
the past, spinal cord injury patients were tethered to a respirator and
did not have the freedom to taste foods, smell or breathe on their
own,” said Dr. Weinstein. “We are excited about being able to offer
the benefits of this device at Jefferson and to offer new hope to
patients living with spinal cord injury.”
Using
a form of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, four dime-size holes
are created in the abdominal region and a laparoscope is inserted so
the diaphragm muscle can be seen. The surgeon then places small
electrodes in the diaphragm. The electrodes are attached through wires
under the skin to a small external battery-powered pulse generator that
stimulates contraction of the diaphragm muscle, which allows the
patient to breathe.
The
surgery is done on an inpatient basis, with a short rehabilitation
period often beginning the very next day. During this time the patient
has the NeuRx DPS™ programmed to allow him or her to effectively yet
comfortably breathe. Because of the patient’s injury, the diaphragm is
weak and at first the patient can only breathe with NeuRx DPS™ for a
short period of time. The patient has to condition and strengthen the
diaphragm, which allows increasing amount of time off of the ventilator
on an almost daily basis. Many patients are able to free themselves
completely from the ventilator.
“Patients
may be able to transfer from ventilator wards to home or assisted
living, and even travel,” said Ralph Marino, M.D., director, Regional
Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley at TJUH, and associate
professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Jefferson Medical
College. “Speech patterns, often laborious and strained in
ventilator-dependent patients, become more natural. Because air is now
able to flow in through the nose the senses of taste and smell,
severely diminished in ventilator-dependent patients, return.”
Controlled
through a four-channel battery-powered external pulse generator, the
NeuRx DPS™ eliminates the need for a source of electricity and the
concern for power outages. Patients and caregivers are easily trained
in the use of the NeuRx DPS™, reducing the need for external medical
supervision. Elimination and reduction of the use of a mechanical
ventilator can also greatly reduces the patient’s risk of a serious
complication: Ventilator Acquire Pneumonia (VAP).
Candidates for the NeuRx DPS™ are patients with:
- High level spinal cord injury resulting in dependence on ventilation
- Bilateral intact phrenic nerves below the level of the spinal cord injury
- General good health otherwise
The
majority of eligible patients have suffered injury through motor
vehicle accidents and sports injuries. An estimated 3,700 individuals
in the U.S. live with high (C1-C3) spinal cord injuries that require
tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. Approximately 500 new cases
occur each year.
About Synapse Biomedical
Founded in 2002, Synapse Biomedical’s www.synapsebiomedical.com
mission is to commercialize its life-transforming neurostimulation
platform in order to treat people with respiratory insufficiency.
Synapse is based in Oberlin, Ohio, approximately 30 miles west of
Cleveland.
Media Only Contact:
Ed Federico
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Phone: (215) 955-6300
Published: 10/26/2009