# Mechanical Augmentation of the Diaphragm for End-Stage Respiratory Failure

> **NIH NIH R21** · MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2020 · $602,618

## Abstract

Abstract
Severe respiratory muscle weakness, specifically diaphragm dysfunction, can arise from many conditions,
including trauma and neuromuscular disorders. Patients with diaphragm dysfunction experience respiratory
failure due to “pump failure”, in which the mechanical pumping function of the respiratory muscles fail to generate
the necessary motion and pressure gradients to drive respiratory ventilation, specifically inspiration. Moderate
respiratory failure may be addressed with non-invasive ventilation, however if non-invasive ventilation techniques
fail, invasive ventilation via tracheostomy is currently the only other option. Invasive ventilation is often declined
by the patient due to the interference with quality of life. The major long-term goal of this project is to develop of
an alternative therapeutic ventilation option based on medical soft robotics: an “implantable ventilator” based on
augmenting diaphragm motion. We chose to use soft robotic actuators as they can interact nondestructively with
biological tissues and can augment the mechanical motion of muscles. In order to achieve the overall objective
we will build a pressurized benchtop testbed of the diaphragm to allow for rapid prototyping and testing as there
is currently a lack of in vitro models of diaphragm biomechanics. We will iteratively design and test our device
prototypes in the in vitro set up and in situ within pig cadavers to optimize device function. We will evaluate the
final device within an in vivo porcine model. Such a device may provide patients with end-stage mechanical
respiratory failure an alternative therapeutic option to invasive ventilation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10057755
- **Project number:** 1R21EB028414-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ellen T. Roche
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $602,618
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-17 → 2023-09-16

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10057755

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10057755, Mechanical Augmentation of the Diaphragm for End-Stage Respiratory Failure (1R21EB028414-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10057755. Licensed CC0.

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