Health Alert: New System Helps Patients Breathe On Their Own

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (CBS) -- 22-year-old Jesse Picard, from Kennett Square, had a busy life going to college, having fun and traveling around the world. Until he was in a devastating accident, that is.

"He was on a motorcycle, and there was a collision between the motorcycle and the car," said Jane Picard, his mother.

Jesse injured his spinal cord and is now paralyzed from the neck down, unable to even breathe on his own.

"Essentially their brain and their thoughts can not connect to the phrenic nerves and make the diaphragm move in and out," said Dr. Michael Weinstein, a surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He is using a new electrical stimulator on Jesse to help him breathe and get off his ventilator. It's called the NeuRx DPS system.

"This device allows the diaphragm to contract and the lungs to expand. In other words, to draw air in via the normal way we would breathe," said Dr. Weinstein.

During a minimally invasive surgery, electrodes are placed on the diaphragm. Wires connect them externally with a small generator that stimulates contractions of the diaphragm muscle.

Being able to breathe more normally reduces Jesse's risk for lung infections. Jesse can also speak better and is more comfortable.

"You just feel a lot less helpless," said Jesse.

"It has been phenomenal. I am so happy about it," said Jane.

During the surgery, there is a small risk of injury to the lung. But doctors say there are no long term problems with the device.

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Jesse is just a semester shy of graduating as a pre-med major from Rutgers. He is going to rehab near school, with the hopes of getting his diploma soon.

For more info on the NeuRx DPS system, click here.

Reported by Stephanie Stahl, CBS3