ABOUT ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease is a neurological disease which attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. ALS is a rapidly progressive, fatal disease for which there is currently no known cure.
ALS is diagnosed in an estimated 5,000 people each year in the United States alone. Though the average life expectancy for ALS patients is typically 3-5 years, a percentage of patients live beyond this range, sometimes exceeding 10 years.1
ALS TREATMENT
Though there is no known cure for ALS, there are treatment options available. All treatment options for ALS should be discussed with your physician. Though Avery Biomedical Devices does not offer direct treatment for ALS, the diaphragm pacemaker provided by Avery is effective for breathing assistance in many ALS patients after the disease begins to affect the phrenic nerves. It can also delay the need for mechanical ventilation by exercising the diaphragms.
BREATHING ASSISTANCE FOR ALS – DELAYED NEED FOR MECHANICAL VENTILATION
The diaphragm pacing system is a phrenic nerve stimulator often preferred over mechanical ventilation. Due to the compact size of the device, it affords greater mobility to patients. Those who utilize the diaphragm pacing system, where possible, also typically have fewer infections compared to patients utilizing positive pressure ventilation (PPV) due to the lack of percutaneous wires.
One of the greatest benefits of diaphragm pacing for ALS patients is that it can delay the need for mechanical ventilation. This is done through exercising the diaphragm through stimulation, slowing their deterioration.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For ALS treatment options, please consult your physician. For help finding a provider for the Avery Diaphragm Pacing System, please see our provider maps. We have qualified physicians worldwide who can provide more assistance. If you would like to learn more about the Avery Diaphragm Pacing System system, please contact us for more information.
THE AVERY DIAPHRAGM PACING SYSTEM SYSTEM
The Avery Diaphragm Pacing System System is the only diaphragm-pacing system with full pre-market approval from the USFDA and CE marking privileges under the European Active Implantable Medical Device Directive for both adult and pediatric use. In addition, its system of using small implanted radiofrequency receivers rather than electrode wires that pass directly through the skin may decrease a patient’s risk of infection and ongoing wound care management issues.
1Information obtained through the National Institutes of Health
