Abstract: Systems and devices described herein provide respiration assistance to users who have difficulty breathing on their own, and include a cuirass configured to be coupled to a thorax of the user and a ventilator fluidically coupled to the cuirass. The ventilator includes a housing, a pump including an inlet and outlet, a valve, an actuator, and a controller in communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to cause the actuator to: move the valve into a first configuration in which a first flow path of the valve fluidically couples the outlet to the cuirass and a second flow path of the valve fluidically couples the inlet to an external environment during exhalation and move the valve into a second configuration in which the first flow path fluidically couples the inlet to the cuirass and the second flow path fluidically couples the outlet to the internal volume during inhalation.

Abstract: Provided herein is a device comprising a cuirass, which includes a shell, at least one sensor, a pressure creation means for providing at least one of a negative pressure or a positive pressure within the shell, and a controller operably connected to the pressure creation means, wherein the controller is adapted to receive an input signal from the at least one sensor and adapted to provide an output signal to the pressure creation means, and wherein the pressure creation means is adapted to provide a greater or lesser amount of pressure within the shell in response to the output signal. Also provided are methods of use.

Abstract: A system, methods and apparatus for powered monofin that propels a swimmer through water uses one of two modes of power: 1. An electric-assist mode, in which the propulsor responds to a swimmer's kick by multiplying the work of the swimmer; 2. Inverse mode, in which the propulsor deactivates when the swimmer is working. In this mode, propulsion is inversely related to the work of the swimmer. As the swimmer does more work, power from the monofin is reduced, to a predetermined, average level of propulsion. As the swimmer does less work propulsion increases to the predetermined level.

Abstract: A system, methods and apparatus for powered monofin that propels a swimmer through water uses one of two modes of power: 1. An electric-assist mode, in which the propulsor responds to a swimmer's kick by multiplying the work of the swimmer; 2. Inverse mode, in which the propulsor deactivates when the swimmer is working. In this mode, propulsion is inversely related to the work of the swimmer. As the swimmer does more work, power from the monofin is reduced, to a predetermined, average level of propulsion. As the swimmer does less work propulsion increases to the predetermined level.