title: The iron lung: halfway technology or necessary step?
abstract: The iron lung is often used to epitomize the costly halfway technologies of modern-day medicine that fail to cure and only prolong a seriously compromised existence. Historical evidence indicates that the iron lung was not a costly instrument of last resort; instead, it was a lifesaving device that played a critical role in the evolution of modern respirators and respiratory care. Contrary to the prevailing views of the biomedical research community, the creation of new devices and instruments is often as important a source of technical change in medicine as are advances in the biological sciences.
mesh_terms: D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000266:history / Q000628:therapy; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends