Historical perspective, current applications: the chest cuirass.
The chest cuirass, a negative-pressure breathing device, is composed of a domed plastic shell that covers the patient's chest and upper abdomen and a motor that is connected to the shell by means of a wire-reinforced hose. Although the cuirass was most widely used in the rehabilitation of polio patients, it is still indicated in the treatment of certain restrictive diseases and neurological disorders.
D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation*