On ambulatory respiratory assist device

A device comprising:

• a cuirass comprising a shell configured to be worn by a patient;
• a backpack shaped for engagement with an anterior portion of the back of the patient;
• a harness mechanically linked to the cuirass and the backpack, the harness providing a tension that pulls the cuirass toward the backpack;
• a cuirass pressure creation means for providing at least one of a negative pressure or a positive pressure within the shell, the cuirass pressure creation means included in the backpack;
• a controller operably connected to the cuirass pressure creation means;
• and
• at least one sensor adapted to measure a true breath pattern parameter corresponding to a patient's breathing pattern;
• wherein the controller is adapted to receive a breathing pattern input signal from the at least one sensor and to calculate a predicted breath time, the predicted breath time being a time at which at least one of a future inhalation or a future exhalation of the patient is expected to take place;
• wherein the controller is adapted to compare the breathing pattern input signal from the at least one sensor to the predicted breath time and to modify the predicted breath time if the breathing pattern input signal and the predicted breath time differ by a pre-determined threshold;
• and
• wherein the controller provides an output signal corresponding to the predicted breath time to the cuirass pressure creation means and the cuirass pressure creation means is adapted to provide a greater or lesser amount of pressure within the shell in response to the output signal.