METHOD, DEVICE AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DIAPHRAGMATIC FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS

Abstract

A method for measuring diaphragmatic functional parameters, including: a) stimulation of the diaphragm to generate a movement of the diaphragm, b) during the movement of the diaphragm, imaging the diaphragm over time including the steps of emitting unfocused ultrasound waves, detecting ultrasound waves reflected and/or scattered by organic tissues, processing the reflected and/or scattered ultrasound waves over time, c) processing, images to measure movements of the diaphragm over time, and/or a propagation of a movement through the diaphragm over time, and/or a propagation speed of a movement through the diaphragm over time, and/or one or more movements of different parts of the diaphragm over time, and/or an amplitude of a movement of the diaphragm over time, and/or a time separating the stimulation of the diaphragm from the occurrence of a movement of the diaphragm associated to the stimulation, d) based on the measurements, determining functional parameters.

Claims

1. A method for measuring one or more diaphragmatic functional parameters of a diaphragm of a human or an animal, said method comprising the following steps: a) a stimulation step by which a stimulation of the diaphragm is provided to generate a movement of one or more parts of the diaphragm; b) during the movement of said one or more parts of the diaphragm, imaging one or more parts of the diaphragm over time through an imaging step comprising the steps of: emitting at least 100 unfocused ultrasound waves per second towards a region of the human or the animal comprising the one or more parts of the diaphragm to be imaged during the imaging step; detecting ultrasound waves reflected and/or scattered by organic tissues of the human or the animal located in the region; processing the reflected and/or scattered ultrasound waves over time to generate images by technical means; c) processing, by technical means, images previously acquired during the imaging step to measure: one or more movements of a given part of the diaphragm over time; and/or a propagation of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time; and/or a propagation speed of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time; and/or one or more movements of different parts of the diaphragm over time, and/or an amplitude of a movement of one or different parts of the diaphragm over time; and/or a time separating the stimulation of the diaphragm from the occurrence of a movement of the diaphragm associated to said stimulation; and d) based on one or more measurements of the processing step, determining one or more functional parameters of the diaphragm by technical means.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stimulation of the diaphragm is an electrical and/or a magnetic stimulation.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the processing step c) further comprises a measure of the amplitude of the movement of the diaphragm based on an intensity of the stimulation.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determining step d) further comprises a determination of a nerve conduction velocity.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein, based on a propagation speed of a movement through the diaphragm, the determining step d) comprises a determination of: a contractility of the diaphragm, and/or a localized paralysis of the diaphragm.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the stimulation step a) further comprises a mechanical stimulation and/or an acoustic stimulation of one or more parts of the diaphragm generating a mechanical wave and/or an acoustic wave at said given part, the mechanical wave and/or the acoustic wave propagating towards adjacent parts of said given part, the imaging step b) further comprises imaging said given part and said adjacent parts through which the mechanical wave and/or the acoustic wave propagate(s).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the mechanical wave and/or the acoustic stimulation is an ultrasonic stimulation, said ultrasonic stimulation comprising an emission of one or more focused ultrasound waves per second towards a given part of the diaphragm, said one or more focused ultrasound waves generating an elastic shear wave at said given part, the elastic shear wave propagating towards adjacent parts of said given part.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the processing step c) further comprises a measure of a propagation velocity of the shear wave.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the determining step d) further comprises a determination of a contractility of the diaphragm based on the propagation velocity of the shear wave.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the stimulation step a) is performed during ventilation of the human or the animal.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the determining step d) further comprises a determination of a diaphragm work.

12. The method according to claim 6, wherein the determining step d) further comprises a determination of a diaphragm activity based on the propagation velocity of the shear wave. The method according to claim 6, wherein the determining step d) further comprises a determination of a transdiaphragmatic pressure based on the variation of the propagation velocity of the shear wave.

13. The method according to claim 6, wherein the stimulation step a) further comprises successive emissions of focused ultrasound waves towards the region of interest, each of said successive emissions being performed: according to a different axis, and/or according to a different focal length, the method further comprises a determination of a spatial organization of muscles fascicles based on three-dimensional velocity fields reconstruction.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the functional parameters of the diaphragm comprise a contractility and/or a diaphragmatic pressure and/or a diaphragm function and/or diaphragm effort and/or a diaphragmatic work and/or a nerve conduction velocity and/or an identification of the spatial organization of muscle fascicule(s).

15. A device for measuring one or more diaphragmatic functional parameters of a diaphragm of a human or an animal, said device comprising: means for processing ultrasound images of one or more moving parts of the diaphragm; said ultrasound images comprising at least 100 images per second of said one or more moving parts of the diaphragm; said means for processing being arranged and/or configured and/or programmed to measure: one or more movements of a given part of the diaphragm over time; and/or a propagation of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time; and/or a propagation speed of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time; and/or one or more movements of different parts of the diaphragm over time; and/or an amplitude of a movement of one or different parts of the diaphragm over time; a time separating the stimulation of the diaphragm from the occurrence of a movement of the diaphragm associated to said stimulation; and said means for processing being arranged and/or configured and/or programmed, based on one or more of those previous measurements, to determine one or more functional parameters of the diaphragm.

16. An apparatus for measuring one or more diaphragmatic functional parameters of a diaphragm of a human or an animal, said apparatus comprising: means for stimulating the diaphragm to generate a movement of one or more parts of the diaphragm; means for imaging one or more parts of the diaphragm over time, said means for imaging being arranged to: emit at least 100 unfocused ultrasound waves per second towards a region of the human or the animal comprising the one or more parts of the diaphragm to be imaged by the imaging means; detect ultrasound waves reflected and/or scattered by organic tissues of the human or the animal located in the region, process the reflected and/or scattered ultrasound waves over time to generate images; means for processing images previously acquired, said means for imaging being arranged and/or configured and/or programmed to measure: one or more movements of a given part of the diaphragm over time; and/or a propagation of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time; and/or a propagation speed of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time; and/or one or more movements of different parts of the diaphragm over time; and/or an amplitude of a movement of one or different parts of the diaphragm over time; a time separating the stimulation of the diaphragm from the occurrence of a movement of the diaphragm associated to said stimulation; and said means for processing being arranged and/or configured and/or programmed, based on one or more of those previous measurements, to determine one or more functional parameters of the diaphragm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0138] Further objects, features and advantages will appear from the following detailed description of several embodiments of the invention with references to the drawings, in which:

[0139] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the experimental setup used on the human participants,

[0140] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of responses of a diaphragm to an electrical or magnetic stimulation,

[0141] FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively images of diaphragmatic displacements over time in response to an electrical stimulation of high and respectively low intensity,

[0142] FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively graphs illustrating the amplitude of diaphragmatic displacements according to the intensity of an electrical stimulation and respectively a magnetic stimulation,

[0143] FIG. 7 shows a set of graphs illustrating a set of measurements performed during static inspiratory efforts against closed airways,

[0144] FIG. 8 shows a set of graphs illustrating a set of measurements performed during ventilation against inspiratory loading,

[0145] FIG. 9 shows a set of graphs, each graph is from a different participant, of individual data points illustrating relationship between transdiaphragmatic pressure and diaphragm shear modulus measures from ultrafast ultrasound image in response to an ultrasonic stimulation during submaximal static inspiratory efforts against closed airways,

[0146] FIG. 10 shows a set of graphs, each graph is from a different participant, of individual data points illustrating relationship individual data points illustrating relationship between transdiaphragmatic pressure and diaphragm shear modulus measures from ultrafast ultrasound image in response to an ultrasonic stimulation during unloaded ventilation and ventilation against inspiratory loading,

[0147] FIG. 11 shows hysteresis curve between transdiaphragmatic pressure and diaphragm shear modulus measures from ultrafast ultrasound image in response to an ultrasonic stimulation during ventilation against inspiratory loading in one participant.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0148] The embodiments hereinafter described are not restrictive, other embodiments comprising a selection of features described hereinafter may be considered. A selection may comprise features isolated from a set of features (even if this selection is isolated among a sentence comprising other features thereof), if the selection is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to distinguish the invention form the state of the art. This selection comprises at least a feature, preferably described by its technical function without structural features, or with a part of structural details if this part is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to distinguish the invention form the state of the art on its own.

[0149] Furthermore, the embodiments hereinafter are non-limitative embodiments that are within the scope of the above summary of the invention. Thus, any isolated feature of the below embodiments is considered in combination with the more general or functional steps or features of the above summary of the invention.

[0150] Participants

[0151] A total of fifteen healthy participants were studied. All participants gave written informed consent.

[0152] Experimental Setup

[0153] Participants were studied in a semirecumbent position (40 degrees) with uncast abdomen, breathing through a mouthpiece while wearing a nose clip. The mouthpiece was connected to a three-way valve and pneumotachograph for flow measurement. Mouth pressure (Pmo) was recorded using a differential transducer. Pressure in the lower esophagus (Pes) and pressure in stomach (Pga) were measured using 10-cm balloon catheters, connected separately to differential pressure transducers (model DP45-30; Validyne, Northridge, Calif.) as previously described. Flow and pressures signals were digitized (Powerlab, ADInstruments, Sydney, Australia) and recorded at a sampling frequency of 2 kHz (Labchart, ADInstruments). Transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) was obtained by online subtraction of Pes from Pga. Ultrasound measurements. Diaphragm ultrasound imaging and shear wave elastography were performed using an Aixplorer Ultrasound scanner (V9.2, Supersonic Imagine, Aix-en-Provence, France) driving a 10-2 MHz linear transducer array (SL10-2, Supersonic Imagine). Settings were defined as follow: B-mode enabled; supersonic shear imaging mode enabled; penetration mode enabled; tissue tuner at 1540 m.Math.s-1; dynamic range at 80 dB; Gain and time gain compensation were tailored for each patient. Scale for Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) was adjusted if required. Sampling rates for B-mode imaging and SWE were 12 and 2 Hz, respectively. A generous amount of water-soluble transmission gel was used during scanning for optimal acoustic coupling and minimal pressure was applied to the transducer in order to limit tissue deformation and modification of ventilator mechanics. The diaphragm was scanned at the right zone of apposition, on the posterior axillary line vertical to the chest wall at the 9th-11th intercostal space. The rotation and angle of the transducer was the finely adjusted to obtain maximal echo intensity from diaphragmatic pleural and peritoneal peritonea. Ultrasound scanned were triggered by the Powerlab for synchronizing ultrasound, flow, and pressures recordings. The transducer position was marked on the skin. Ultrasound measurements were performed by a trained intensivist (MD).

[0154] Study Protocol

[0155] The study was carried out as follows: i) measurement of maximal static inspiratory pressure (PImax), ii) recordings during apnea at functional residual capacity (FRC), iii) recordings during inspiratory efforts against closed airways, iv) recordings during ventilation against inspiratory loading.

[0156] Maximal Static Inspiratory Pressure

[0157] PImax was measured at FRC. At least five trials were performed until three reproducible efforts, with less than 10% variance, were obtained.

[0158] Maximal Pmo generated amongst the three reproducible trials was defined as PImax.

[0159] Apnea at FRC and Static Inspiratory Efforts Against Closed Airways

[0160] During these tasks, the mouthpiece was disconnected from the three-way valve and flow was not monitored. Pressures and Shear Modulus of the diaphragm (SMdi) were measured during about 5 s apnea and during inspiratory efforts against closed airways at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60% of PImax (two participants did not performed 60% PImax). Both apnea and inspiratory efforts were performed at FRC. Participant (n=13) were asked to reach progressively the target Pmo and to maintain their effort during about 10 s. Visual feedback of generated Pmo and guidelines were provided to participants using the built-in software option. Each task was repeated twice. Tasks were alternated with 1-2 min of unloaded breathing.

[0161] Ventilation Against Inspiratory Loading

[0162] An in-house developed apparatus was used to perform ventilation against inspiratory elastic loads. Briefly, the device consisted of a cylindrical adjustable pressure chamber connected to a non-rebreathing valve. The negative pressure was generated by a commercially available vacuum cleaner. Pressure in the chamber (Pch) was measured continuously using a differential pressure transducer. The dead space of the device was estimated at about 600 ml. Participants (n=15) underwent a step-wise inspiratory loading protocol at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% of PImax (two participants (5, 10) did not performed 50% PImax, one participant (10) did not performed 40% PImax, one participant (7) also performed 60% PImax). Each task was repeated twice. During each task, at least six regular respiratory cycles were recorded. Tasks were alternated with 1-2 min of unloaded breathing.

[0163] Data Analysis

[0164] Pes, Pga, Pdi, Pmo, Pch and flow were analyzed offline using standardized scripts in MATLAB (Mathworks, Natick, Mass., USA). Frames from Bmode and SWE recordings were exported using the ultrasound scanner research pack (Soniclab, v11, Supersonic imagine) and processed using standardized scripts in MATLAB (Mathworks). SMdi was calculated assuming a linear elastic behavior in muscle tissue (4) as SMdi=ρ.Math.Vs2 where ρ is the density of muscle (1000 kg.Math.m-3), and Vs is the shear wave speed or the propagation velocity of the shear wave in m.Math.s-1. The Young Modulus E, and so the tissue elasticity, for soft tissues can be considered as being equal to E=3SMdi. A rectangular region of interest was manually defined on the first frame of each stack as large as possible between the diaphragm pleural and parietal peritonea. For static inspiratory efforts measurements, signals were manually selected when Pmo was stabilized at the targeted levels. Pressures and SMdi where averaged over the duration of the selected period. Coefficients of variation were computed to assess variability of pressures and SMdi within the selected period. During ventilation against inspiratory loading, maximal SMdi and pressures swing during inspiratory time were computed for each cycle. Cycles were discarded in the case of loss of diaphragm visualization and SMdi>90 kPa (e.g. when the ROI was in a rib instead of diaphragm). Ultimately, 66 were discarded over 970 recorded cycles. Mean SMdi value during apnea at FRC was subtracted from average and maximal SMdi during static efforts and loaded ventilation, respectively.

[0165] FIG. 1 shows the schematic representation of the experimental setup used for each participant for a first and a second embodiment. The setup comprises an electrode (not represented) for the electrical or the magnetic stimulation 1 of the phrenic nerve 2. According to the setup the phrenic roots is stimulated in the region of the neck but other regions and/or arrangements may be used.

[0166] In order to performed Pdi measurement and correlate Pdi measurement to measurements according to the invention, an esophageal balloon catheter 3 and a gastric balloon catheter 4 are used for Pdi measurements. The balloon in the esophagus 5 located above the diaphragm 7 and the balloon in the stomach 6 under the diaphragm 7 are also illustrated. This invasive protocol is required for Pdi measurements which is the current gold standard for the assessment of diaphragmatic functional parameters. This invasive protocol is not part of the invention but was carried out to prove that the invention provides reliable results and is an alternative to Pdi measurements.

[0167] Surface AgCl/Ag electrodes 8 are located on the outer wall of the chest wall about the diaphragm 7 for EMG measurements. The ultrasound probe 9, uses for ultrafast imaging of the diaphragm 7 and stimulating the diaphragm 7, is positioned on the outer wall of the chest wall and moved on any desired location as needed.

[0168] The method that comprises emitting at least 100 unfocused ultrasound waves per second, detecting ultrasound waves reflected and/or scattered by organic tissues of the human or the animal located in the region and processing the reflected and/or scattered ultrasound waves over time to generate images is known by ultrafast ultrasound imaging. The apparatus and the setting uses for ultrafast ultrasound imaging are described above.

[0169] According to the experiment and as necessary, the processing of ultrasound images is used to measure one or more movements of a given part of the diaphragm over time, and/or a propagation of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time, and/or a propagation speed of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time, namely the SMdi, and/or one or more movements of different parts of the diaphragm over time, and/or an amplitude of a movement of one or different parts of the diaphragm over time, and/or a time separating the stimulation of the diaphragm from the occurrence of a movement of the diaphragm associated to said stimulation. Software, settings and parameters used for measurements, data analysis and determination are described above.

[0170] According to the first embodiment illustrating through FIGS. 2 to 6, the stimulation of diaphragm in order to generate a movement of one or more parts of the diaphragm was carried out through electrical or magnetic stimulation 1. This embodiment exhibits great advantages because is the only one that is non-volitional and that can be carried out when the patient is under assisted ventilation and/or under life-support. This embodiment is also the only one that can be carried out when the patient show disorders that prohibit volitional ventilation (or apnea) or simply cannot achieve required respiratory maneuvers.

[0171] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of responses of a diaphragm to an electrical or magnetic stimulation 1. The dash line corresponds to the lower stimulation intensity apply and the plain line to the higher stimulation intensity apply. One can see the effects on the Pes, the Pga, the Pdi (if bilateral magnetic or electrical stimulation 1), the EMG (if unilateral electrical stimulation 1) and the diaphragm 7 displacement over time elicited by the electrical or magnetic stimulation 1. One can see the clear differences of the responses for each measured parameters depending on the stimulation intensity.

[0172] FIGS. 3 and 4 show diaphragmatic displacements in millimeters (mm), in Y-axis, over time in milliseconds (ms), in X-axis, according to ultrasonic piezo transducers, in Z-axis. FIG. 3 shows the image of diaphragmatic displacements amplitude in millimeters over time in response to a supramaximal electrical stimulation. FIG. 4 shows the image of diaphragmatic displacements amplitude in micrometers over time in response to an electrical stimulation selected to elicit half the EMG response obtain with supramaximal stimulation. Similar results were obtained through magnetic stimulations 1. These results clearly show that the amplitude of the diaphragm 7 displacements in response to an electrical or magnetic stimulation 1 is linearly correlates to the intensity of the stimulation 1 applied.

[0173] A participant has been subjected to supramaximal electrical stimulations 1 and to electrical stimulations selected to elicit half the EMG response obtain with supramaximal stimulation. On FIG. 5 is shown a graph illustrating amplitudes of diaphragmatic displacements in mm, in X-axis, according to the intensity of the electrical stimulation 1 in millivolts (mV), in Y-axis. The amplitude of diaphragmatic displacements is comprised between 2 and 2.2 mm for a supramaximal electrical stimulation 1 and between 0.45 and 0.55 for electrical stimulation 1 selected to elicit half the EMG response obtain with supramaximal stimulation.

[0174] A participant has been subjected to supramaximal magnetic stimulations 1 and to magnetic stimulations selected to elicit half the Pdi response obtain with supramaximal stimulation. FIG. 6 shows a graph illustrating amplitudes of diaphragmatic displacements in mm, in X-axis, according to the Pdi. The amplitude is comprised between 1 et 1.2 mm for a supramaximal magnetic stimulation 1 and between 0.45 et 0.55 for magnetic stimulation 1 selected to elicit half the Pdi response obtain with supramaximal stimulation.

[0175] The representation of FIG. 2 also illustrates the determination of the presence of nerve conduction velocity. A delay between the electrical or magnetic stimulation and the displacement of the diaphragm may be measured. This measurement of nerve conduction delay is relative to phrenic nerve conduction velocity.

[0176] Thus, among others, the main functional parameter that may be determined from the measurements elicited by such stimulations is the contractility of the diaphragm 7. The contractility of the diaphragm 7 can be assessed based on the intensity of the stimulation 1 from the moment it has established that a linear relation between the intensity stimulation 1 and the amplitude of the movement exists.

[0177] According to the second embodiment illustrated through FIGS. 7 to 11, the stimulation of diaphragm in order to generate a movement of one or more parts of the diaphragm was carried out through ultrasonic stimulation. The method that comprises an ultrasonic stimulation comprising an emission of one or more focused ultrasound waves per second towards a given part of an elastic tissue for generating an elastic shear wave that propagates towards adjacent parts of said given part of the elastic tissue in order to observed the shear wave propagation is known as Shear Wave Elastography (SWE). SWE allows measuring the SMdi of a part or the diaphragm or the mean SMdi of the entire diaphragm. The apparatus and the setting used to perform SWE are described above.

[0178] FIG. 7 shows a set of graphs illustrating a set of measurements performed during static inspiratory efforts against closed airways. Pmo, Pes, Pga, Pdi and SMdi were measured during static inspiratory efforts against closed airways. Mean selection duration for averaging data was 8.7 s (SD 3.9). Within selected data, mean of coefficient of variation for Pmo, Pes, Pga, Pdi, and SMdi were 14.2, 9.0, 6.3, 5.4, and 16.2%, respectively. A clear linear relationship between mean Pdi swing and mean SMdi during all tasks is highlighted and identified. Mean Pdi significantly correlated to mean SMdi in all participants except one (r ranged from 0.60 to 0.92; in participants with significant correlation, all p were <0.05; R=0.76, 95% CIs [0.69, 0.82], p<0.001, r was >0.70 in ten over thirteen participants).

[0179] FIG. 8 shows a set of graphs illustrating a set of measurements performed during ventilation against inspiratory loading. Pch, air flow, Pmo, Pes, Pga, Pdi and SMdi were measured during ventilation against inspiratory loading. Number of cycles analyzed per loading level was 11.8 (SD 3.0). A clear linear relationship between Pdi swing and maximal SMdi for all analysed cycles and all loading tasks is highlighted and identified. Maximal SMdi correlated to Pdi swing in all participants (r ranged from 0.32 to 0.95, all p<0.01; R=0.71, 95% CIs [0.68, 0.74], p<0.001, r was >0.70 in nine over fifteen participants).

[0180] The results illustrate on FIGS. 7 and 8 show that increasing the inspiratory load during both static inspiratory efforts and ventilation against inspiratory loading resulted in an increase in Pdi. These results show strong linear relationship between max SMdi and Pdi swing during ventilation against inspiratory loading. These findings demonstrate for the first time that diaphragm activity can be noninvasively monitored using SWE during breathing.

[0181] Thus, among others, the main functional parameter that may be determined is the contractility of the diaphragm 7. The contractility of the diaphragm 7 can be assessed based on propagation velocity of the shear wave from the moment a linear relation between Pdi and SMdi is established.

[0182] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate, for a set of different participants, the relationship between mean Pdi and mean SMdi for different Pmo, and respectively the relationship between the amplitude of the Pdi according to maximum SMdi for different inspiratory loading. These results demonstrate that diaphragm stiffening is strongly related to the level of diaphragm activation as assessed by standard Pdi measurements. Moreover, high individual correlation coefficients between SMdi and Pdi have been observed in most participants. Slight offset of transducer angle in reference to the direction of muscle fascicles is known to reduce shear modulus value. Therefore, quality criteria for SMdi measurements must be established and adjustment of transducers in the three-dimensional space shall be assisted programmatically to obtain largest SMdi changes during ventilation. Muscle fascicles in reference to the probe might also be estimated using three dimensional SWE measurements.

[0183] FIG. 11 shows hysteresis curves between transdiaphragmatic pressure and diaphragm shear modulus measures from ultrafast ultrasound images in response to an ultrasonic stimulation during ventilation against inspiratory loading in one participant. FIG. 11 shows a set of graphs, each graphs corresponds to an inspiratory load, from left to right 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60% of PImax.

[0184] Thus, among others, functional parameters that may be determined are the diaphragm work and the diagram activity.

[0185] SMdi coupled with functional respiratory investigations may help to detect diaphragm dysfunction. It might be particularly useful for detecting diaphragm hemi-paralysis. Diaphragm SWE might also particularly relevant within spontaneous breathing trials and/or pressure support ventilation in ventilated patients during the weaning phase. Diaphragm stiffening-time index may also be computed during spontaneous breathing trial.

[0186] The invention is not restricted to embodiments described above and numerous adjustments may be achieved within the scope of the invention.

[0187] Moreover, features, alternatives and embodiments of the invention may be associated if they are not mutually exclusive of each other.

[0188] Thus, in combinable alternatives of previous embodiments: [0189] the measurement of nerve conduction delay may be performed through any stimulation eliciting a diaphragm contraction, and/or [0190] according to the first embodiment of the invention, functional parameter that may be determined from the measurements elicited by electrical and/or magnetic stimulations is: the diaphragmatic pressure and/or the diaphragm function and/or the diaphragmatic work, and/or [0191] according to the first embodiment of the invention, the velocity profile of the diaphragm tissue may be processed, by technical means, to measure: [0192] peak heights being indicative of a contractility of the diaphragm, and/or [0193] peak areas being indicative of a contractility of the diaphragm, and/or [0194] peak widths being indicative of a contractility of the diaphragm, and/or [0195] peak slopes being indicative of a contractility of the diaphragm, and/or [0196] time to peaks being indicative of a contractility of the diaphragm, and/or [0197] an halftime relaxation, and/or [0198] an integral of diaphragm displacement within the inspiratory time over time being indicative of a diaphragmatic work, and/or [0199] a diaphragm displacement-time index computed as the product of a mean diaphragm displacement per breath within the inspiratory time and the ratio between an inspiratory time and the total respiratory cycle time being indicative of diaphragm function, and/or [0200] according to the second embodiment, the ultrasonic stimulation may be substitute by any mechanical and/or acoustic stimulation, and/or [0201] according to the second embodiment, functional parameter that may be determined from the measurements elicited by mechanical and/or acoustic stimulation is: the diaphragmatic pressure and/or the diaphragm function and/or the diaphragmatic work, and/or [0202] according to the second embodiment, the velocity profile of the diaphragm tissue may be processed, by technical means, to measure: [0203] peaks heights of diaphragm stiffness being indicative of diaphragm contractility, and/or [0204] a frequency of stimulation being indicative of diaphragm contractility, and/or [0205] an integral of diaphragm stiffness within the inspiratory time over time being indicative of the work of the diaphragm, and/or [0206] a diaphragm stiffness-time index computed as the product of the diaphragm stiffness changes within the inspiratory time and the ratio of the inspiratory time over the total respiratory time, being indicative of diaphragm function, and/or [0207] a slope of the profile being indicative of the contractility of the diaphragm.