Apollo Medical Museum Receives a Wartime Respiratory Resuscitation Machine

On April 9, 2026, the Apollo Medical Museum (Phan Chau Trinh University) received a medical artifact of exceptional historical value: the Kreiselman Positive Pressure Portable Resuscitator, Model A-N, donated by Dr. Than Van Chin.

This is a respiratory emergency device manufactured in the United States around the mid-20th century, once widely used by the military and pre-hospital emergency response forces. The device enabled multiple critical functions to be performed simultaneously, including artificial ventilation (positive pressure), oxygen delivery, and airway suction, helping sustain patients’ lives in life-threatening situations.

According to information attached to the artifact, this equipment set was seized by the Quang Da military-civilian medical force in 1973. Under the harsh shortages of wartime conditions, devices like this became invaluable emergency tools, used in field medical stations or during the transport of wounded soldiers.

A complete set includes multiple components: a medical oxygen cylinder, pressure regulator and gauge, breathing mask, manual resuscitation bag, air tubing system, secretion suction device (aspirator) with collection container, airway support tools, along with a carrying case and fixed frame for easy transport under mobile conditions. This combination allowed users to rapidly manage respiratory failure directly at the scene before the patient was transferred to a treatment facility.

After the war, the artifact was received and preserved by Dr. Chin from the early 21st century. Recognizing its historical value and educational significance, Dr. Chin decided to donate it to the Apollo Medical Museum — a place dedicated to preserving and displaying medical artifacts.

The reception of this artifact not only enriches the museum’s collection, but also helps recreate a remarkable chapter in medical history, when portable resuscitation devices like the Kreiselman accompanied the Quang Da military-civilian medical forces in the race to save lives on the battlefield.

Currently, the Apollo Medical Museum continues to receive artifacts, documents, and memorabilia related to the medical field from individuals and organizations both domestically and internationally, in order to preserve and spread the historical values of medicine.