Abstract: An artificial respirator includes an atomospheric opening, a corset for enclosing a patient's thorax, an inspiration tube connected at one end thereof to the corset, a suction pump, a switching device for connecting the other end of the inspiration tube to either the suction pump or to the atmospheric opening so as to change the pressure within the corset between a negative and an atmospheric pressure, thereby providing artificial respiration to the patient. The artificial respirator further includes a device for varying the time constant of the change between the negative and atmospheric pressure within the corset so as to provide a smooth change between the pressures.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for effecting artificial respiration in synchronism with a patient's voluntary breathing. The apparatus is in the form of an external body ventilator with an assistor, and comprises a jacket, a suction pump, a suction pipe, a changeover device, a jaw movement detection device, and a changeover controlling device. The jacket has a rigid shell for surrounding the chest of a patient and forming an air-tight chamber between the chest and the rigid shell when the jacket is applied to the chest of the patient. The suction pipe is in fluid communication with the air-tight chamber of the jacket, and the changeover device is for effecting a changeover between releasing the air in the air-tight chamber through the suction pipe and into the atmosphere during voluntary respiration, and connecting the suction pipe to the suction pump during artificial respiration.