Superman Breather
The paralysed man able to breathe normally again
Victims of spinal cord injury can, like Christopher Reeve, be left dependent on a mechanical ventilator to breathe. Now doctors have come up with a way to enable them to breathe normally again.
Paralysed from the neck down in a swimming accident, Tom Conlan relied on a ventilator to breathe. This leaves one vulnerable to infections and greatly reduces life expectancy. Now, he is the first person to receive electrical stimulation of the diaphragm, bestowed via keyhole surgery, allowing him to breathe normally. And, as a touching side effect, it has restored his sense of smell.
Produced by Mentorn
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