Iron Lung

The Iron Lung: A Medical Miracle

A Brief History

The iron lung is a large horizontal cylinder designed to stimulate breathing in patients who have lost control of their respiratory muscles. It was invented in 1928 by Philip Drinker and Louis Shaw, two physicians at Harvard University.

How it Works

The iron lung works by creating a negative pressure around the patient's chest. This causes the patient's lungs to expand and contract, allowing them to breathe. The iron lung is powered by a motor that drives a bellows, which sucks air out of the cylinder.

Who Uses it

The iron lung is used to treat patients with a variety of neuromuscular conditions, such as polio, muscular dystrophy, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is also used to treat patients who have been injured in accidents or who have had surgery that has affected their breathing.

Conclusion

The iron lung is a medical miracle that has saved the lives of countless people. It is a testament to the ingenuity and compassion of the doctors who invented it and the technicians who maintain it. Although most people don't need to use an iron lung, it's important to know that this technology exists so that we can help those who do.