iron lung
noun
: a device for artificial respiration in which rhythmic alternations in the air pressure in a chamber surrounding a patient's chest force air into and out of the lungs
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Many of those who are still living today are in a wheelchair, and a few are still in an iron lung. 
Sara Reardon, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2022 Hospital staff examine a patient in a tank respirator, known as an iron lung, during the Rhode Island polio epidemic in1960. Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2022 While Doctor Andrews treats a foster kid for injuries sustained at his group home, Shaun and team look to Lea’s expertise with cars and auto repair to help a patient whose iron lung has broken. Rodney Ho, ajc, 18 Apr. 2022 Goodwin assigns Med’s new compliance officer to a covid long-hauler; Maggie helps Halstead with a patient who has been in an iron lung for decades; Hammer finds out hard truths about her mother. Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2022 During the covid pandemic, some medical practitioners began taking a new look at the old iron lung. Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2021 Alexander admits in the Guardian article that adjusting to life in the iron lung was extremely difficult. David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2021 Today, Alexander is thought to be one of only two people still using an iron lung, reports the Guardian. David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2021 This essay is adapted from a longer version that details the development of the iron lung. Hannah Wunsch, STAT, 22 Aug. 2021 See More
Sara Reardon, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2022 Hospital staff examine a patient in a tank respirator, known as an iron lung, during the Rhode Island polio epidemic in1960. Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2022 While Doctor Andrews treats a foster kid for injuries sustained at his group home, Shaun and team look to Lea’s expertise with cars and auto repair to help a patient whose iron lung has broken. Rodney Ho, ajc, 18 Apr. 2022 Goodwin assigns Med’s new compliance officer to a covid long-hauler; Maggie helps Halstead with a patient who has been in an iron lung for decades; Hammer finds out hard truths about her mother. Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2022 During the covid pandemic, some medical practitioners began taking a new look at the old iron lung. Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2021 Alexander admits in the Guardian article that adjusting to life in the iron lung was extremely difficult. David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2021 Today, Alexander is thought to be one of only two people still using an iron lung, reports the Guardian. David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2021 This essay is adapted from a longer version that details the development of the iron lung. Hannah Wunsch, STAT, 22 Aug. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1930, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
iron lung
noun
: a device for artificial respiration in which rhythmic alternations in the air pressure in a chamber surrounding a patient's chest force air into and out of the lungs especially when the nerves governing the chest muscles fail to function because of polio
called also Drinker respirator