Project Overview

Mechanical Ventilation (MV) is one of the most common treatments implemented in the ICU. Although the treatment is critical in saving patient lives, it accounts for a large percentage of hospital costs and often causes adverse health effects. Patients receive MV intervention when they are unable to exert effort in inhalation; the lack of diaphragm use leads to muscle atrophy and Ventilator Induced Diaphragm Dysfunction (VIDD). Clinically significant diaphragm dysfunction leads to increased time on MV due to extended periods of muscle recovery. In order to facilitate weaning from MV, Stimdia Medical has created a Percutaneous Electrical Phrenic Nerve Stimulation (PEPNS) technique in which the phrenic nerve is electrically activated to induce patient effort and stabilize diaphragm strength during MV. The PEPNS technique requires bilateral lead placement over the left and right phrenic nerve, using a through-the-needle (TTN) approach with the assistance of ultrasound imaging. As this approach to alleviating VIDD is moving forward in clinical trials, Stimdia Medical requires a head and neck simulator that allows physicians to practice the lead placement procedure and perfect their technique using an ultrasound transducer. The visualization and practice of finding the phrenic nerve and placing the leads in the correct orientation increases in-vivo success.

Team Picture

Contact Information

Team Members

• Spencer Averbeck - Team Leader
• Lauren Rohr - Communicator
• Marshall Walters - BSAC
• Cassidy Geddes - BWIG
• Rushabh Tolia - BPAG

Advisor and Client

• Dr. Aaron Suminski - Advisor
• Trace Jocewicz III - Client
• John O'mahony - Alternate Contact