Iron Lungs: A Historic Legacy in the Fight Against Polio
- Mereyli Baisariyeva
- Dec 1
- 2 min read
You may have already heard about the passing of ‘Polio Paul’, who triumphantly withstanded polio by clinging onto the hope brought by iron lungs for over seven decades! Despite his physical limitations, Paul Alexander was able to pursue higher education, earning a college degree and even pursuing law by becoming a courtroom attorney. Who would have thought he would display such courage and resilience when he was diagnosed with polio at the age of 6 back in 1952? Paralyzed from the neck down, Paul defied all the doubts doctors initially had about his survival; how you may ask… Iron Lungs.
First off, we should establish what iron lungs actually are. In the early 20th century, the world was grappling with devastating effects of poliomyelitis. Patients would find themselves unable to breathe due to the paralysis of the muscles responsible for respiration. An American engineer, Philip Drinker, collaborated with his brother Louis Drinker, a medical doctor, to fight this disease by building a large cylindrical chamber made of metal and airtight rubber seals. Though simple, this device was very effective by creating a negative pressure inside the chamber, the iron lung could expand the patient’s chest, causing the air to rush into their lungs, and then contract, causing exhalation.
The way that iron lungs work is very straightforward- the operation is based on the principle of negative pressure ventilation. So when a patient is placed inside the chamber with only their head poking out, the airtight seal is established around their neck. Hence, the pressure is altered by a motorised pump within the chamber, causing the patient’s chest to expand and contract, mimicking the natural process of breathing. This continuous cycle of inhalation and exhalation sustains the patient’s respiratory function, allowing them to survive even when their own muscles are too weak to perform these functions needed to live.
Examples of different Iron Lungs:
Within the medical community, this device has gained lots of attention very quickly. These iron lungs became synonymous with hope for those afflicted with polio during the 20th century epidemic. Nowadays, hospitals around the globe require to operate such machines, dedicated to accommodate the growing number of patients requiring respiratory support, especially during the COVID-19 times.
Though this made sound like a cure-all solution for respiratory disease rehabilitation, it is not without its challenges and limitations. We have to consider the sheer size and weight of this machine, which makes it challenging to transport and maintain. Without a doubt, patients suffer from psychological challenges posed by long-term confinement in the machine. The carers struggled as well, maintaining a routine of numerous tasks such as transfusing blood, feeding glucose intravenously, inserting and replacing catheters and repeatedly adjusting the body to the equipment.
The iron lung remains a testament to the power of innovation to save lives and shape the course of medical progress.
Sources:
Comments