Iron lung
Defunct mechanism: The patient’s whole body is inside the tank, with only their head on the outside NCBI. Bellows create a vacuum that causes the chest to rise (inhalation), followed by a pressure change that causes the chest to fall (exhalation) NCBI. History: Developed at Harvard in 1927 by Philip Drinker and Louis Agassiz Shaw, it became a common feature of hospitals during polio outbreaks in the mid-1900s, especially in the 1950s NCBI -Pfizer. Usage Today: Almost obsolete due to advanced positive-pressure machines, but some individuals have lived for decades in an iron lung, such as Paul Alexander BBC. Alternatives: Intratracheal positive-pressure respiration, a more portable, modern alternative, was developed in the 1950s, allowing for easier mucus management, NCBI. An iron lung, also known as a tank ventilator or Drinker tank, is a type of ventilator which encases a person's body except for the head, and changes the air pressure in the space, to help them breathe.<ref name="non_invasive_domiciliary_ventilation_sheerson">Shneerson, Dr. John M., Newmarket General Hospital, (Newmarket, Suffolk, U.K.), "Non-invasive and domiciliary ventilation: negative pressure techniques," #5 of series "Assisted ventilation" in Thorax, 1991;46:131–35, retrieved April 12, 2020</ref>[1][2][3] The use of this device is usually for victims of polio and botulism. Last used in 2026 by Martha Lillard, final Polio survivor in the device.
The use of iron lungs is largely not used because of more modern ways to help breathing problems, the invention of positive pressure ventilator, and since the eradication of polio.[4] However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic made some people think reusing this would be a good idea.[5][6]
Related pages
[change | change source]References
[change | change source]- ↑ Rockoff, Mark, M.D., "The Iron Lung and Polio,", video (8 minutes), January 11, 2016, OPENPediatrics and Boston Children's Hospital on YouTube, retrieved April 11, 2020 (historical background and images, explanatory diagrams, and live demonstrations)
- ↑ Jackson, Christopher D., MD, Dept. of Internal Medicine, and Muthiah P Muthiah, MD, FCCP, D-ABSM, Assoc. Prof. of Medicine, Div. of Pulmonary / Critical Care / Sleep Medicine, Univ. of Tennessee College of Medicine-Memphis, et.al., "What is the background of the iron lung form of mechanical ventilation?," April 11, 2019, Medscape, retrieved April 12, 2020 (short summary of iron history and technology, with photo)
- ↑ Grum, Cyril M., MD, and Melvin L. Morganroth, MD, "Initiating Mechanical Ventilation," in Intensive Care Medicine 1988;3:6–20, retrieved April 12, 2020
- ↑ Corrado, A.; Ginanni, R.; Villella, G.; Gorini, M.; Augustynen, A.; Tozzi, D.; Peris, A.; Grifoni, S.; Messori, A.; Nozzoli, C.; Berni, G. (March 2004). "Iron lung versus conventional mechanical ventilation in acute exacerbation of COPD". The European Respiratory Journal. 23 (3): 419–24. doi:10.1183/09031936.04.00029304. ISSN 0903-1936. PMID 15065832.
- ↑ "Modern iron lung designed to address ventilator shortage,", April 6, 2020, New Atlas, retrieved April 11, 2020
- ↑ Laderas, Crystal, reporter: "Alberta team building modern 'iron lung' for COVID-19 in dire environments,", (video & text), March 25, 2020, as updated March 26, 2020, City News / Citytv, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada – also broadcast as "Bioengineers build modern 'iron lung’ for COVID-19 in dire environments: Scientists build a prototype 'iron lung' for COVID-19 patients in crisis environments. The machine is a last resort for patients when hospital ventilators are not available," (video only), March 25, 2020, 660 News / CityNews / Citytv, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, retrieved April 23, 2020
