Noninvasive medical brace

A medical device, comprising:

• a sealed enclosure that is configured to be fixed against a person externally and noninvasively to the person;
• a layered structure within an interior of the sealed enclosure;
• and
• a port through the sealed enclosure;
• wherein the layered structure comprises a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer;
• the first layer and the third layer comprise respective sheets composed of a first material;
• the second layer comprises a sheet composed of a second material that is different than the first material;
• the second layer includes through-holes;
• the sealed enclosure and layered structure are configured such that applying a vacuum to the interior of the sealed enclosure via the port causes portions of the first layer and the third layer to come into contact with one another through the through-holes in the second layer;
• the layered structure is in a flexible first state responsive to the portions of the first layer and the third layer not being in contact with one another through the through-holes in the second layer;
• and
• the layered structure is in a rigid second state responsive to the portions of the first layer and the third layer being in contact with one another through the through-holes in the second layer.