3 ms·

> In 2004, Respironics gave iron lung users three options: transition to another ventilator device, keep using the iron lung but know that Respironics may not

> In 2004, Respironics gave iron lung users three options: transition to another ventilator device, keep using the iron lung but know that Respironics may not be able to repair the device, or accept full ownership and responsibility of the iron lung and find someone else to repair it. I wonder what the alternative ventilator device is. Iron lungs are not convenient or cheap by any measure. I am sure if they were any better options all of them would have switched without needing the ultimatum. What exactly was the company suggesting they do instead?

iancmceachern 9y ago
Exactly, I wonder why one wouldn't transition to a modern ventilator. I wonder what the driving factors for staying with the Iron Lung are.
- Cthulhu_ 9y ago
  It's explained in the article; not as effective, high(er) risk of infection.
Mz 9y ago
The article makes it clear that positive pressure ventilators can cause problems, but I found this: https://amp.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hiwb9/eli5_why_are_people_still_in_iron_lungs/ https://amp.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hiwb9/e... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_ventilator https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_ventilator Also, it is Warms Springs, GA, not Warm Spring. Edit: I don't have experience with ventilators, but have used a nebulizer and a positive pressure lung clearance device. One of the problems is that they need to be sterilized and if they start growing stuff, you are basically injecting infectious material directly into the lungs for someone who already gets lung infections easily. This is a potentially deadly situation.
- Sir_Substance 9y ago
  Non-amp link for the lazy: https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hiwb9/eli5_why_are_people_still_in_iron_lungs/ https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hiwb9/e...
- Mz 9y ago
  Ironic: I typoed my criticism of their typo. Sorry, Warm Springs, GA.

iancmceachern 9y ago

Exactly, I wonder why one wouldn't transition to a modern ventilator. I wonder what the driving factors for staying with the Iron Lung are.

Cthulhu_ 9y ago
It's explained in the article; not as effective, high(er) risk of infection.

Mz 9y ago

The article makes it clear that positive pressure ventilators can cause problems, but I found this: https://amp.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hiwb9/eli5_why_are_people_still_in_iron_lungs/ https://amp.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hiwb9/e... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_ventilator https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_ventilator Also, it is Warms Springs, GA, not Warm Spring. Edit: I don't have experience with ventilators, but have used a nebulizer and a positive pressure lung clearance device. One of the problems is that they need to be sterilized and if they start growing stuff, you are basically injecting infectious material directly into the lungs for someone who already gets lung infections easily. This is a potentially deadly situation.

Sir_Substance 9y ago
Non-amp link for the lazy: https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hiwb9/eli5_why_are_people_still_in_iron_lungs/ https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hiwb9/e...
Mz 9y ago
Ironic: I typoed my criticism of their typo. Sorry, Warm Springs, GA.