The Effects of ALS on the Diaphragm
ALS damages the nerves’ ability to signal the body’s muscles. Over time, the breathing nerves (phrenic nerves) that are responsible for controlling breathing will no longer be able to carry messages from the brain signaling the diaphragm to function.
As the breathing nerves are affected by ALS, the diaphragm weakens and many patients with ALS develop respiratory insufficiency (also known as chronic hypoventilation).
NeuRx DPS® Diaphragm Conditioning for ALS Patients
The NeuRx® diaphragm pacing system enables ALS patients with mild to severe respiratory insufficiency to condition your diaphragm. In conditioning, the NeuRx® EPG sends a small amount of electricity through the electrodes to your diaphragm. This causes your diaphragm to contract. When your diaphragm is conditioned, it may do a better job of helping you breathe.
Customizable for a Patient’s Changing Respiratory Needs
Our NeuRx® EPG is customized for each ALS patient by their doctor to provide comfortable conditioning stimulation. At each ALS clinic visit, your doctor may elect to adjust your NeuRx® EPG to meet your breathing needs.
Note: The NeuRx DPS® can be used with a patient’s Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) (e.g. BiPAP, APAP, Trilogy, Astral™, etc.).
Preserve Muscle Condition
The NeuRx DPS® provides a gentle, rhythmic, electrical stimulation to the diaphragm, causing it to contract. This stimulation works to condition the diaphragm muscle, which has weakened due to your ALS disease.
In the NeuRx DPS® initial trials of ALS patients with chronic hypoventilation:
- Median survival of over 16 months post-implant with NeuRx DPS® and NIV therapy
- 100% 30-day survival rate of patients with simultaneous PEG and DPS compared to 30-day mortality expectations of 2% – 25%.
- A 16 month survival from implant for patients intolerant of NIV with no other respiratory options.
- Significant sleep improvement after 4 months of DPS conditioning.
Medicare & ALS
Most ALS patients are entitled to Medicare coverage, even if private health insurance has limited or denied payment for ALS‐related treatment. Click here to download our Medical Eligibility Guidance document that outlines how clinicians who work with persons with ALS and their caregivers can access all government health insurance and financial benefits to which they are entitled as a result of their medical condition.
Discover the Benefits of Diaphragm Pacing Technology
Learn More About the NeuRx DPS®
Patients interested in utilizing the NeuRx DPS® should speak with their physician about ordering the device. If you have any questions about using this device to condition your diaphragm, or if you want to learn more about the NeuRx DPS®, please contact the Synapse Biomedical team.