Jefferson University Hospitals

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is the first hospital in Pennsylvania to offer an FDA-approved device that helps individuals with certain types of spinal cord injuries breathe on their own again.  Michael Weinstein, MD, 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.

Read the full press release.