Lower Thoracic Spinal Cord Stimulation

A research team at MetroHealth Medical Center has developed a technique that cuts the rate of pneumonia in its patients by more than half. This month, the Metro team published the results of its two-year study on the first nine patients to receive the implant in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

For the study, surgeons implant three electrodes the size of a pencil eraser near the surface of the spinal cord to activate the nerves that come out of the thoracic spinal cord. Wires connect the electrodes to a small receiver implanted under the skin, just below the rib cage.

The result of the electronic stimulation is very close to a real cough - the researchers found that patients in the study coughed with anywhere from 75% to 100% of a normal person's cough strength.

"The cough is an important defense mechanism" and helps to naturally move out from the lungs and airway the secretions that can lead to infection, said Dr. Anthony DiMarco, research scientist at Metro and Housholder's doctor.