Unique EMG Technology Enhances Mechanical Ventilation

A novel ventilation solution uses surface electromyography (sEMG) measurements from respiratory muscles to boost patient breathing synchronization.

The Dipha system is a light weight, smartphone sized, battery powered, 16-channel amplifier that is used to derive very accurate measurements of the EMG activity of the diaphragm and auxiliary respiration muscles. Data acquisition and pre-processing is executed directly in the device, which is the wirelessly transmitted to a transceiver USB dongle connected to a computer. The data is then processed by dedicated advanced signal processing and analysis software in order to provide enhanced breathing synchronization with mechanical ventilation systems.


Using the sEMG data allows for virtually synchronous mechanical ventilation with the initiation of inspiration, unlike conventional ventilators, which use changes in the patients’ air flow or pressure to determine timing and the patients’ breathing pattern. Since conventional systems are dependent on these triggers to initiate ventilation, they are on average 100 ms late when compared to the patients’ natural breathing. However, since sEMG triggering is taken directly from the respiration muscles, better detection of inspiration onset is achieved, improving patient comfort.

The Dipha system is designed to be used in conjunction with the Macawi OEM respiratory module, which uses a patented blower to provide a unique combination of high performance ventilation in applications ranging from premature neonates to adults. The Dipha system and OEM respiratory module are products of Macawi (Eindhoven, The Netherlands), part of the Demcon Group, and are intended for use in the intensive care unit (ICU), long term hospital care, and patient transport.

“In the past period we have developed the OEM respiration module containing a high-dynamic centrifugal blower, which makes it possible for a single piece of equipment to ventilate any patient, from premature babies to adults, just by changing the tubes,” said Geert van Dijk, CTO of Macawi. “Now with our sEMG technology we can continue serving the market by offering even more enhanced solutions. It is an exciting period for the market and for Macawi.”

Surface EMG assesses muscle function by recording muscle activity from the surface above the muscle (on the skin) using a pair of electrodes or a complex array of multiple electrodes to measure the potential (voltage) difference between separate electrodes. The sEMG signal derived includes information from the muscle of interest, and is therefore more representative than localized, selective needle EMG signals.

Related Links:
Macawi
Demcon Group