Many countries are reporting a shortage of medical ventilators for CV-19 victims. The modern ventilator requiring the patient to be intubated, & have close medical supervision. I wonder if the old "iron lung" might make a comeback (is there a medical reason why it won't serve in CV-19 cases?) A cuirass-type (only encloses the chest) iron lung could be made from an oil drum (suitable holes & packing at the ends) & a vacuum cleaner motor. The first iron lungs really did use vacuum cleaners as a power source. If a whole-body vacuum tank is needed, weld 2 drums together. Both to handle shortages in Western countries, and could be locally made in 3rd world places.
- posted
3 years ago