Spinal Cord Injury SCI

(Tetraplegia)

About Spinal Cord Injury and the Avery Diaphragm Pacing System

Tetraplegia, also known as Quadriplegia, is the loss of voluntary movement and sensation in all four extremities, and usually results from a cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Other conditions, such as a Brain Stem Lesion or Spinal Meningitis, may also result in Tetraplegia.

The phrenic nerve originates at C3 through C5 and is the neurological pathway between the brain and the diaphragm. Injuries that occur at or above C4 can interrupt these pathways and render the patient ventilatory dependent. After the patient is neurologically and orthopedically stable and cannot be weaned from mechanical ventilation, an Avery Diaphragm Pacing System should be considered.

Find A Physician

Contact Us

Who is a Candidate for the Diaphragm Pacing System?

The Avery Diaphragm Pacing System is indicated for persons who require chronic ventilatory support because of upper motor neuron respiratory muscle paralysis (RMP) or because of central alveolar hypoventilation (CAH) and whose remaining phrenic nerve, lung and diaphragm function whose sufficient to accommodate electrical stimulation.

Candidates for Diaphragm Pacing include, but are not limited to those with:

  • Spinal Cord Injury or disease
  • Central Alveolar Hypoventilation
  • Decreased day or night ventilatory drive (i.e. Sleep Apnea, Ondine’s Syndrome)
  • Brain stem injury or disease
  • Other forms of diaphragm paralysis

Tetraplegia And The Need For Ventilatory Assistance

Tetraplegia is the loss of voluntary movement and sensation in all four extremities, and usually results from a cervical Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Other conditions, such as a brain stem lesion or spinal meningitis, may also result in Tetraplegia which is also known as Quadriplegia.

An SCI can be complete or incomplete. The term incomplete indicates that the patient has some sensory or motor function below the injury level. There are seven cervical vertebrae and eight cervical nerves, identified as C1 through C8. The level of injury directly correlates to the patients abilities and needs.

• Patients with an injury or disease at C1, C2, and higher may have little or no movement of their head and neck, and may be entirely dependent on ventilatory assistance for breathing.
Spinal Cord Injury― 1. ―
• Patients with an injury at C3 usually have control of their head and neck and are occasionally weaned from ventilatory assistance.
Spinal Cord Injury― 2. ―
• Patients with an injury at C4 usually have control of their head and neck, some shoulder movement and are often weaned from ventilatory assistance.
Spinal Cord Injury― 3. ―
• Patients with injuries at C5 and lower have control of their head and neck, progressively more control of their arms and hands and are rarely in need of ventilatory assistance.
Spinal Cord Injury― 4. ―
• Patients with injuries below the cervical spine have full function in the upper extremities, which is classified as paraplegia. Paraplegics do not lose control of respiratory drive.
Spinal Cord Injury― 5. ―
Previous
Next

Chuck Pacing Since 1981.

Patient Testimonials

Read the testimonials from our patients.

Read More

See Diaphragm Pacing System Comparisons

How does the Avery Diaphragm Pacemaker compare to the competitor device for Spinal Cord Injury?

Read More
REQUEST MORE INFO

The Leader In Diaphragm Pacemakers
FDA Approved for All Ages
Since 1987

Contact

  • 631-864-1600
  • 61 Mall Drive Commack, NY 11725-5725 USA

Our normal operating hours are from 8 AM to 4 PM Eastern Time (EST)
Monday through Friday.

Policies

© 2012 – 2023 Avery Biomedical Devices, Inc. All Rights Reserved 

Social

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Linkedin-in