RT Journal
A1 Adamson J, Lewis L, Stein JD
T1 APplication of abdominal pressure for artificial respiration
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1959
FD April 4
VO 169
IS 14
SP 1613
OP 1617
DO 10.1001/jama.1959.03000310065014
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1959.03000310065014
AB A method of providing long-term respiratory assistance by intermittent abdominal pressure was tested in 15 patients with respiratory paralysis of different degrees of severity. Effective artificial respiration was provided by means of rhythmic inflation of a rubber bladder incorporated in an abdominal corset. A positive displacement pump powered by line current or 24-volt battery connects to the respirator by means of a flexible plastic base. Active assisted expiration is followed by passive inspiration due to gravitational pull on the diaphragm. Ventilation improves progressively as the trunk is flexed from 30 degrees to an optimal angle of 75 degrees above the horizontal. It was not necessary to exceed pressure of 50 cm. of H2O at 16 cycles per minute in any patient. This method increased the range of physical activities and improved vocational potentialities for those needing lifelong respiratory assistance after they have had poliomyelitis.