1) Reverse the latches to allow the fiberglass to be unlatched from the inside rather from the outside
2) Put a bar or heavy duty rope along the bottom of the door on the inside that allows the user to lift the door open
3) Reverse the collar so that the hardware for closing and releasing it is on the inside so the user can reach up to do it themselves
4) An electrical box or remote device for turning the vent on and off.

Studies have been done with the porta-lung for the following diseases and I know of a few people with some of these illnesses who are currently using the porta-lung. For example, I have talked personally with a young man from Texas with muscular dystrophy who loves the porta-lung and uses it quite often for resting purposes throughout the day (if he needs to). I’m sure there are people with spinal muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, post polio muscular atrophy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic respiratory failure, etc that have used or currently use the porta-lung. There have been studies done with the porta-lung for non-obstructive central sleep apnea at John Hopkins where they found that the porta-lung was very beneficial to sleep apnea patients because it increased their lung volume and decreased the obstruction to their upper airways.

Porta-lung is currently trying to market a computerized ventilator (similarly to the NEV 100 that I currently use) called the Pegaso Cough Assist which would be extremely beneficial to cystic fibrosis patients. You can read about this neat invention here: http://portalung.com/CaughAssist.htm. With the help of the Pegaso ventilator cystic fibrosis can cough up their secretions and remain inside the porta-lung for rest. If a person has to cough all the time, I would imagine it can become quite exhausting and even stressful on the lungs. Getting the strength to cough is often very difficult for a person with respiratory problems and sometimes you can lose lung volume. Therefore, it is always very comforting to know that there is a respirator you can go to when you need to have some help with breathing. Cystic fibrosis experience blockage to the lungs with the constant build-up of thick sticky mucous and you folks need a respirator like the porta-lung which will expand your lung capacity.

Other treatments for cystic fibrosis can certainly be used in conjuction with the porta-lung. The porta-lung is a non-invasive respirator so it can be used with various homeopathic remedies and medical treatments too.

The porta-lung can be adapted to fit a person’s lifestyle - meaning you can receive the necessary bronchial drainage just by tipping the mattress inside the machine and/or elevating the head or foot of the tank with books. Porta-lung is thinking of inventing a gurney that will accomplish the bronchial drainage to suit the individual’s needs. I think this would be a good invention!

Can you tell me who else might benefit from the port-a-lung? Would it be beneficial for a person that has cystic fibrosis? Could it be used in combination with other therapies that they are receiving? Have any studies been done with these patients?

Also, one of your bloggers posted a question about sleep apnea and whether the port-a-lung could help them?

Another question that could be related to this is how would someone who is living alone or independently use the port-a-lung? Can they get in to it by themselves?

Thanks for your help.
Curious C.