Extramuscular diaphragm/phrenic nerve electrical stimulation system
Definition
An assembly of battery-powered devices designed to provide ventilatory support to a patient with diaphragm dysfunction of neuromuscular origin through electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve, to contract the diaphragm rhythmically and cause the patient to draw breath in a manner similar to natural breathing. It typically consists of an implanted receiver with electrodes that are placed around the patient's phrenic nerve, and an external transmitter for transmitting the stimulating pulses across the patient's skin to the implanted receiver.