Robert Michael Jaeger

US Patent:

53144546, May 24, 1994

Filed:

Apr 2, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/862344

Inventors:

Robert J. Jaeger - Hinsdale IL
Elliot J. Roth - Northbrook IL

International Classification:

A61N 118

US Classification:

607 62

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.

US Patent:

53973372, Mar 14, 1995

Filed:

Mar 29, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/219250

Inventors:

Robert J. Jaeger - Hinsdale IL
Elliot J. Roth - Northbrook IL

Assignee:

Illinois Institute of Technology - Chicago IL

International Classification:

A61N 118

US Classification:

607 62

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. The pulse electrical voltage can be delivered at an optimum time, which can be calculated as a function of a physical and temporal status of the cough and a volitional activity by the user, in order to achieve a maximum air flow rate of the cough.