Breath Synchronized Abdominal Muscle Stimulation to Facilitate Ventilator Weaning: a Pilot Study

VentFree prototype (VF03) that delivers electrical stimulation pulses to the abdominal muscles during exhalation with a frequency of 30 Hz, a pulse width of 350 µs and 90% of the maximum current that the participant can tolerate. These stimulation parameters were selected to cause a tetanic (continuous) contraction of the abdominal muscles, without pain for the patient. Stimulation will be administered for 30 minutes 2 times per day, 5 days per week, for 6 weeks; or until the patient is weaned from mechanical ventilation.

Modified VentFree prototype (VF03) that delivers stimulation pulses to the abdominal muscles during exhalation with a frequency of 10 Hz, a pulse width of 100 µs and current set to 10 milliamp. These stimulation parameters were chosen to cause a twitch contraction of the abdominal wall muscles. Stimulation will be administered for 30 minutes, 2 times per day, 5 days per week, for 6 weeks; or until the patient is weaned from mechanical ventilation.