This video discusses the steps required to design a working iron lung respirator. An iron lung is a negative pressure ventilator (NPV). It is intended for worst case scenarios where all other resources have failed and the alternative is death. Many developing countries do not have the infrastructure, money, resources and technology to acquire or build Positive Pressure Ventilators (PPV). Iron Lungs were invented in the 1930s and can be built using global readily available resources.
PDF version:
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This video validates the design concept: Building an Iron Lung Respirator Part 1 of 2:
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Vacuum Testing a Concrete Form Tube:
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Successful Vacuum tested two 55 gallon steel drums welded/soldered together to 150 cm of h20:
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Further testing revealed that the loud banging heard is cause by the lid and bottom being "sucked in". Both end pieces would be replaced in an iron lung and the loud banging noise may not be important. The bottom would be replaced with a bellows and the lid replaced with a head piece. This was determined during these videos:
Part 1 of 2: Use a Vehicle's Intake Manifold as a Vacuum Source
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part 2 of 2: Use a Vehicle's Intake Manifold as a Vacuum Source
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Alternative resources to 55 gallon steel drums: Fiber concrete column forms, or forming tubes (made of a thick cardboard), large air compressor tanks, propane tanks, etc..
**_ Respirator ventilators are not toys and can damage a patient’s lungs or kill the patient if not used properly! ***
--- Only qualified medical personnel should be operating them or those under the direction of a qualified medical person.---
Here is an Open source Positive Pressure Ventilator design that does not use electronic control systems:
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This is an excellent resource to learn about respirators and lung function:
A Guide to Designing Low-cost Respirators:
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Other Resources:
How to make a Manometer
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1956 Iron Lung
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Kansas City polio survivor is one of last iron lung users in U.S (18 cm of water)
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The Last Few Polio Survivors
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The Iron Lung and Polio
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The Iron Lung
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The Both Mechanical Respirator (1939) part 1 of 3 series
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Artificial Respirators (1940s?) Part 1 of 6 Part Series
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55 Gallon Drum Vacuum Test
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How To Make a One-Way Check Valve - For Cheap!!
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Example reed valve operation at the 26 sec mark:
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