Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G10/00—Treatment rooms or enclosures for medical purposes
  • A61G10/02—Treatment rooms or enclosures for medical purposes with artificial climate; with means to maintain a desired pressure, e.g. for germ-free rooms
  • A61G10/023—Rooms for the treatment of patients at over- or under-pressure or at a variable pressure
  • A61G10/026—Rooms for the treatment of patients at over- or under-pressure or at a variable pressure for hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
  • A61G2203/10—General characteristics of devices characterised by specific control means, e.g. for adjustment or steering
  • A61G2203/20—Displays or monitors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
  • A61G2203/30—General characteristics of devices characterised by sensor means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of hyperbaric chambers and, more particularly, to systems and methods of controlling hyperbaric chamber sessions and measuring hyperbaric chamber treatment.
• Monoplace Hyperbaric Chambers are pressure vessels intended for human occupancy with the capacity of fully enclosing one single person for the purpose of submitting the subject to an oxygen treatment at pressure higher than 1 atmosphere absolute (ATA).
• ATA atmosphere absolute
• Such chambers have in the past been provided with mechanical and/or electromechanical means of supplying oxygen at increasingly higher concentrations and pressure to the subject.
• a hyperbaric treatment typically consists of three phases: pressurization, maintenance, and depressurization.
• pressurization to initiate the pressurization phase, a subject is placed in the chamber and the chamber door is closed. The chamber at that point is full of atmospheric air. Oxygen is supplied to the chamber at a relatively high flow rate and the chamber atmosphere is vented at a slightly lower rate, thereby causing the pressure in the chamber to increase at a pre-set rate.
• chamber pressure reaches prescribed oxygen pressure value, the chamber pressure is maintained with a constant supply of oxygen and chamber atmosphere is vented at the same rate - this is the maintenance phase, also known as treatment plateau.
• the laws of physics define that the pressure of any non-reacting gas mix results from the addition of the pressures of its components— this is known as Dalton's law.
• the pressure of an individual gas component in a mixture of gasses is referred to as that gas's partial pressure.
• the pressure of a gas mixture is the sum of the partial pressures of the individual components of the gas mixture.
• the air at the peak of a Himalayan mountain has most probably the same percentage of each component, however, because the atmospheric pressure at altitude is substantially lower, so are the partial pressures of the air's components.
• Most mountaineers require a personal oxygen supply at these elevated altitudes because the partial pressure of oxygen at altitude may approach the 0.14 ATA critical range, which is inadequate for a human's metabolic needs.
• air becomes hypoxic once the ambient pressure is low enough to result in an O 2 partial pressure (pO 2 ) of less than 0.18 ATA. If the p0 2 decreases to 0.14 ATA, humans quickly become hypoxic and may die after just a short period of time. On the other hand, air becomes hyperoxic when the ambient pressure creates a pO 2 exceeding 0.23 ATM.
• Hyperbaric chambers are used for medical purposes to reduce and/or eliminate numerous diseases and ailments. Without exception, all currently manufactured monoplace hyperbaric chambers using full body oxygen pressurization have a manual or manual/automatic control system. In all known cases, the hyperbaric session is controlled by two parameters: session time and chamber absolute pressure which are prescribed by an MD. In these cases, session time (also referred to as treatment time) is defined as the time counted from the start of chamber pressurization to start of chamber depressurization. Oxygen pressure is often confused with absolute pressure of the chamber.
• FIG. 1 this graph exemplifies what a physician may prescribe in the prior art for a subject: 60 minutes at 2 ATA O 2 . This prescription is represented by the shaded area of the graph in Figure 1.
• Figure 2 illustrates the theoretical effective portion of the prior art hyperbaric treatment of Figure 1.
• the treatment session clock starts.
• the operator starts the pressurization cycle at the same time that an exhaust valve is opened to allow for the flushing of the initial volume of air in the chamber.
• Figure 3 illustrates a chamber session, as practiced in the prior art, but additionally highlighting the actual pO 2 value in the session time frame. As illustrated, in excess of 17 minutes are required to reach approximately 96% oxygen
• the pO 2 is merely 1.9 ATA and not the prescribed 2 ATA of pO 2 .
• Trend analysis indicates that several hours would be necessary to reach the 2 ATA of oxygen pressure prescribed by the physician, which is well past the end of the prescribed session, assuming a prescription for 1 hour at 2.0 ATA O 2 .
• Treatment efficacy also depends on chamber size, for a smaller chamber will arrive at acceptable levels of oxygen concentration more quickly than a larger chamber, same flow rate provided, yet this is a variable not accounted for.
• the chamber When the chamber is first used, it contains an amount of ambient air equal to the chamber internal volume, but when the subject is placed in the chamber, the air volume displaced by the subject is removed from the chamber. Therefore, the chamber possesses an air volume equal to its internal volume minus the volume displaced by the subject and any introduced equipment. This volumetric variation is ignored in traditional chamber treatments.
• Oxygen flow rate is also currently used as means to control the chamber inner temperature and humidity. Given that gasified liquid oxygen is intrinsically cold, a chamber operator may opt to use a lower flow rate in colder days than in warmer days. This affects the rate at which the original air volume is flushed out and introduces yet another unknown variable in knowing the actual oxygen percentage in the inspired gas. [0021] Overall, as illustrated by Figure 3, at best the subject only receives approximately 2/3 of the treatment prescribed by the physician and the prescribed pO2 is unlikely to ever truly be achieved.
• one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) device and method to enrich air with oxygen for use in the present embodiments of hyperbaric control.
• PSA pressure swing adsorption
• PSA Pressure swing adsorption
• the PSA oxygen enrichment process relies on a material called zeolite to remove nitrogen from ambient air.
• Zeolite refers to the family of aluminosilicate minerals having microporous structures capable of loosely binding with a variety of cations. Zeolite is used in oxygen enrichment as it adsorbs nitrogen when subjected to a high pressure, yet releases the absorbed nitrogen when the pressure drops.
• the PSA process works by feeding ambient air into a pressurized chamber containing zeolite. The higher the pressure within the zeolite chamber, the more gas is adsorbed. When the pressure is reduced, the gas is released. PSA processes can be used to separate gases in a mixture because different gases tend to be attracted to different solid surfaces more or less strongly. If a gas mixture such as air (21% O2, 78% N 2 ) is passed, under pressure, through a tower containing an adsorbent bed that attracts N2 more strongly than it does O 2 , a large portion of the N 2 will stay in the bed, and the gas leaving the tower will contain approximately 94% O 2 .
• a gas mixture such as air (21% O2, 78% N 2
• N 2 from the air is absorbed by zeolite while the O2 is further passed through to a storage tank.
• the chamber is depressurized.
• the N 2 is released by the zeolite and vacates the system.
• the chamber is than re-pressurized and the cycle is repeated to generate purified 0 2 .
• the present invention is directed to a method for controlling a hyperbaric chamber session.
• a first embodiment comprises the steps of: measuring the duration of a chamber session; measuring the internal pressure of the hyperbaric chamber; adding oxygen to the hyperbaric chamber; pressurizing the hyperbaric chamber;
• measuring oxygen concentration in the hyperbaric chamber calculating the partial pressure of oxygen in the hyperbaric chamber; and maintaining the partial pressure of oxygen in the hyperbaric chamber at a predetermined level by adjusting at least one of the pressure or the amount of oxygen in the hyperbaric chamber.
• measuring the duration of the session is initiated after the step of flushing air from the hyperbaric chamber until the oxygen concentration level reaches about 87%, followed by chamber pressurization with oxygen until the prescribed p02 is reached.
• the total time necessary to provide a subject a prescribed hyperbaric chamber treatment dose is also calculated by the system.
• the hyperbaric chamber is flushed by introducing oxygen proximate a bottom region of the hyperbaric chamber, preferably the head end, and exhausting the hyperbaric chamber atmosphere proximate a top region of the hyperbaric chamber, preferably the foot end.
• the oxygen concentration is measured proximate the subject's nostrils, using for example an oxygen pickup tube supported by a user's ears.
• the method comprises steps of: placing the subject in a hyperbaric chamber; sealing the hyperbaric chamber; adding oxygen to the hyperbaric chamber; measuring pressure of the hyperbaric chamber; measuring the concentration of oxygen in the hyperbaric chamber; calculating partial pressure of oxygen in the hyperbaric chamber; pressurizing the hyperbaric chamber; measuring the time in which the subject is in the hyperbaric chamber at the prescribed p02; and maintaining the partial pressure of oxygen at a predetermined level by adjusting at least one of the chamber pressure and the concentration of oxygen in the hyperbaric chamber.
• This method may further comprise the step of defining a desired hyperbaric chamber treatment dose.
• a fourth embodiment of the method of hyperbaric chamber treatment further contemplates the step of flushing the hyperbaric chamber by introducing oxygen proximate a bottom head end region of the hyperbaric chamber and exhausting the hyperbaric chamber proximate a top foot end region of the hyperbaric chamber.
• a timing device is used to measure the time in which the subject is in the hyperbaric chamber (at prescribed p02), and is started after the (the prescribed p02 is reached).
• the invention is also directed to a hyperbaric chamber system comprising: a hyperbaric chamber with a pressure transducer for measuring pressure inside the hyperbaric chamber and an oxygen transducer measures the concentration of oxygen inside the hyperbaric chamber.
• a valve with the hyperbaric chamber regulates the pressure inside the hyperbaric chamber
• a hyperbaric chamber control comprises a central processing unit that calculates partial pressure of oxygen in the hyperbaric chamber.
• the hyperbaric chamber control receives input signals from the pressure and oxygen transducers and outputs signals to adjust the valve so to maintain the partial pressure of oxygen at a prescribed level.
• a second embodiment of the hyperbaric chamber system further comprises an atmosphere pickup for sampling the oxygen inside the hyperbaric chamber, wherein the pickup is connected to the oxygen transducer.
• a third embodiment of the hyperbaric chamber system further comprises an inlet proximate a bottom region of the hyperbaric chamber, as well as an outlet proximate a top region of the hyperbaric chamber, the outlet for flushing gas from the hyperbaric chamber.
• Figure 1 is a graph illustrating an example of what a physician may have described in the prior art as a hyperbaric treatment, the underlying assumption being that the subject is receiving 100% oxygen from the moment of pressurization;
• Figure 2 is a graph illustrating the theoretical effective portion of the hyperbaric treatment illustrated in Figure 1 as practiced in the prior art
• Figure 3 is a graph illustrating recorded data of the hyperbaric treatment illustrated in Figure 1 as practiced in the prior art, but having the p0 2 content highlighted for clarification purposes;
• Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the steps of a hyperbaric chamber session of the present invention.
• Figure 4a illustrates a hyperbaric chamber of the present invention
• Figure 5 is a graph illustrating the measured p0 2 of an hyperbaric chamber session of the present invention controlled by p0 2 as opposed to chamber absolute pressure;
• Figure 6 is a graph illustrating the actual p0 2 measurements of a conventional prior art chamber session, as shown in Figure 3;
• Figure 7 is a graph illustrating the system measurements and controls related to the hyperbaric chamber session illustrated in Figure 5;
• Figure 8 illustrates an example of an actual chamber session display output, including p0 2 content and chamber pressure indications during a treatment session of the present invention
• Figure 9 is a graph illustrating data acquired during a chamber session of the present invention
• Figure 10 is a chart illustrating one embodiment of a hyperbaric chamber control system of the present invention.
• Figure 11 illustrates one embodiment of gas management hardware;
• Figure 12 is an illustration of an isometric view of one embodiment of the sample pickup device
• Figure 13 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the sample pickup device
• Figure 14 is an illustration of yet another embodiment of the sample pickup device.
• Figure 15 is an illustration of a side view of the sample pickup device of Figure 14 in use by a subject in a monoplace hyperbaric chamber.
• the present invention is directed to hyperbaric treatments utilizing a system to measure and control the p0 2 of a chamber session.
• oxygen means any gaseous form of the oxygen element with concentration levels appropriate for use in a hyperbaric chamber, which are known in the art.
• the source of oxygen utilized herein is from liquid or gaseous sources.
• the chamber 403 is flushed with 0 2 at a relatively slow flow rate, to minimize turbulence 406.
• the desired flow rate does not increase the chamber pressure past about 2 PSIG.
• 0 2 is heavier than air (1.429 Kg/m3 versus 1.225 Kg/m3), so the chamber 403 is filled through an inlet 405 proximate the bottom 407 of the chamber 403, while residual air is vented from the chamber 403 using a vent 409 proximate on the top side 411 of the chamber 403.
• the chamber pressure and percentage of 0 2 in the chamber are measured continuously 408. Based on these measurements, the p0 2 is calculated 410 multiple times each second. Once the O 2 concentration reaches at least about 87% by volume at the subject's nostril level, chamber pressurization starts. This is in contrast with most current practice, because current practice is to start pressurization at 21% oxygen concentration. Other O2 concentration values can also be used and the system, as contemplated by the current invention, calculates and administers the oxygen dosage to which a subject is subjected until the desired p O 2 value is reached as subpar dosage.
• the chamber session timer starts and the session enters the maintenance cycle during which the chamber pressure is continuously adjusted to make up for the continuously increasing O2 concentration so to maintain the desired p 02 value 414.
• the session timer could be started once the p 02 reaches 1.5 ATA, which is a value defined by many physiologists as marker of the start of hyperbaric oxygen conditions.
• the p 02 is displayed on a display device for 412 a chamber operator, and recorded 416 and saved 418.
• the p 0 2 data are saved on a computer, computer network, computer media, paper printout, or any other means of saving data known in the art.
• Other variable and conditions are also saved, not limited to, subject information, subject preferences, chamber temperature, chamber CO2 level, chamber pressure, humidity level, subject biometric data, and any other variables or conditions known in the art.
• Figure 5 illustrates the calculated 410 ( Figure 4) and displayed 412 ( Figure 4) p O 2 of an example chamber session.
• the oxygen slowly fills the chamber, moving upwards towards the subject's face.
• Oxygen concentration is checked on a real time basis with a sample pickup 1200 proximate the subject's nostril level.
• the highlighted area 52 indicates the integral of the session p0 2 curve from the start of a session to the end of a session and it represents the actual oxygen dosage to which a subject is exposed at the
• Figure 6 is a graph that illustrates a hyperbaric session utilizing the conventional constant O2 flow method to pressurize the chamber.
• the y- axis represents pO2 value development for a 2 ATA oxygen pressure prescription.
• the O 2 sample pick-up point was at subject's nostrils level and the flow rate was 440 l/min during pressurization and 360 l/min during the maintenance portion of the session.
• the subject's first 17 minutes of this 60 minute - 2ATA session were spent in an atmosphere with an average pO2, which is well under the prescribed 2 ATA.
• This graph also illustrates that the subject only enters the hyperbaric portion of the treatment (hyperbaric treatments are considered to be "hyperbaric" above 1.5 ATA) 9 minutes after session start.
• the exhaust valve is closed and pressurization begins 74.
• This initial flushing phase of the session produces a chamber pressure of approximately 0.2 ATA, and is an important aspect of the present invention in that it reduces the potential for barotrauma injuries.
• the graph 70 is a pO2 curve illustrating that once the oxygen concentration reaches the desired value 72 (e.g. 2 ATA) the session enters into its 76 maintenance cycle 78 during which computerized controls maintain the PO2 within 0.01 ATA.
• the O2 dosage values collected at this pO 2 level are defined for the prescribing physician as XXX ATA-min at Y.YY ATA of pO2.
• the O 2 dosage values collected during the pressurization phase are also collected and marked as subpar dosage, in order to enable physician to calculate total oxygen exposure in Oxygen Toxicity Units.
• Figure 8 illustrates a screenshot of an embodiment of a display of realtime data acquisition.
• the chamber pressure in ATA is indicated by a first shaded region 80, and the chamber atmosphere pO2 is illustrated by a second region 82.
• the PO2 set-point 84 is 2.2 ATA.
• the y-axis is session time in minutes.
• Figure 9 illustrates another embodiment of a display of real-time data acquisition. These measurements of a chamber session indicate that once the chamber door is closed, a true quasi laminar flush with breathing gas is initiated.
• a first trace 90 is a horizontal line indicating the pO 2 set point.
• a second trace 92 is the chamber pressure in ATA.
• a third trace 94 is the chamber pO2 in ATA.
• a fourth trace 96 is the oxygen concentration by volume. During the flushing phase, the chamber pressure slowly raises to 0.2 ATA. The actual pressurization only starts once the oxygen concentration is at least about 87%. This value can be changed to meet individual operator's criteria.
• the graph of Figure 9 also documents that, as p0 2 increases due to increases in O2 concentration during the session, the chamber pressure is reduced accordingly.
• the chamber pressure will be higher than 2 ATA, but the p0 2 will remain at 2 ATA during the full session time.
• the computerized controls will reduce the chamber pressure as the oxygen concentration increases during the treatment session to maintain the desired p0 2 levels.
• a barotrauma switch accessible to the subject from within the chamber may be actuated to alert the chamber operator of the discomfort. Additionally, the computer signals to automatically lower the pressure within the chamber. When the subject indicates it is permissible to continue pressurizations, the rate of pressurization is also reduced. This event is recorded in a subject's file, and following treatment sessions use the slower rate of pressurization by default.
• the session can be prescribed as a dosage at a particular p 0 2 or conventionally as time and ATA, in which case the unit ATA is referred to as p0 2 and not as chamber pressure. In either case, the subject is provided an accurate treatment as desired or prescribed.
• a hyperbaric chamber control 1002 is the central processing unit that maintains and adjusts chamber controls and monitors chamber transducers to accurately control a chamber session.
• the hyperbaric chamber control 1002 is a microcomputer, microprocessor, laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet computing device, mobile device, or any other computing device known in the art.
• the chamber control 1002 is a dedicated, stand-alone, real-time microprocessor or microcontroller.
• the chamber control 1002 is accompanied by a secondary computing device having concurrent data collecting capabilities so that system data is redundantly recorded. In the case of a chamber control 1002 failure, the secondary computing device controls the system. Additionally, if the chamber control 1002 recovers after failure, the secondary computing device communicates relevant system data to the chamber control 1002, so that the hyperbaric session continues uninterrupted.
• the hyperbaric chamber comprises a plurality of transducers, not limited to: a temperature transducer 1004, an oxygen transducer 1006 that samples oxygen at a subject's nostril level, a C0 2 transducer 1008, at least one pressure transducer 1010, and subject biometric transducers such as pulse, EEG, EKG, and infrared temperature transducers 1014. Since the hyperbaric chamber control 1002 comprises a standalone processor, a computer that fails to operate (“crashes”) does not interrupt the hyperbaric chamber treatment.
• chamber control 1002 inputs, such as, for example optically insulated digital or analog input modules which operate at 5 VDC.
• the chamber controls an oxygen flow control valve 1016, pressure relief solenoids 1018, cooling circuits and apparatus 1020, O2 recirculation circuits and apparatus 1022, and humidity control circuits and apparatus 1024. Additionally, the chamber control 1002 outputs
• the current invention contemplates a chamber recirculation/rebreather circuit and apparatus 1022 comprising a scrubber that removes CO2 produced by the subject's metabolism.
• the system additionally comprises a biologic filter that filters 99.9% of bacteria and viruses from the circulating chamber gasses.
• the chamber recirculation circuit and apparatus 1022 comprises a gas circulation device and a scrubber.
• the scrubber captures moisture and CO 2 from the gas mixture within the chamber, and returns "scrubbed" gas back into the chamber. This eliminates the need to ventilate the chamber as an open circuit, and therefore preserves oxygen.
• the CO2 level is maintained below about 500 ppm at 1 ATA, to maintain a desirable subject breathing reflex.
• a breathing gas chilling unit 1020 is controlled by a thermostat and the chamber controls 1002.
• a humidity control/water injection or rejection system is also controlled by the computerized controls 1002, comprising a relative humidity transducer 1012 that maintains chamber relative humidity at pre-set levels at the existing chamber pressure that prevent subject dehydration and increase treatment efficacy, while at the same time reduces risk of electrostatic discharge.
• nitrogen gas can be rapidly released into the chamber to act as fire propagation retardant. This automatically occurs in response to sudden increases in temperature. For example, if a temperature increase of more than 5°F be detected in 5 consecutive controller cycles or a pressure increase of more than 3 PSIG be detected during 5 consecutive controller cycles, high oxygen content gas is pushed out of the chamber by N 2 supplied into the chamber. After 20 seconds, rapid chamber depressurization is initiated.
• Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary configuration of the gas management hardware controlled by the computerized controls 1002. Solenoid valves are opened or closed, and a flow control valve is adjusted to flush, pressurize, maintain pressure, or depressurize the hyperbaric chamber.
• a first solenoid valve 1102 is in an open position
• a second solenoid valve 1104 is in a closed position
• a third solenoid valve 1106 is in an open position
• a fourth solenoid valve 1108 (and associated check valve 1109) are in a closed position
• a fifth solenoid valve 1110 is in an open position.
• a flow control valve 1112 allows oxygen from an oxygen source 1114 to pass through the first solenoid 1102 and the fifth solenoid 1110 to slowly fill a hyperbaric chamber with oxygen from the bottom of the chamber to the top of the chamber. Air in the chamber is flushed out of a vent proximate the top of the chamber and is exhausted through the third solenoid valve 1106.
• the third solenoid valve 1106 is switched to the closed position, and the flow control valve 1112 is adjusted to alter the rate of pressurization. Once the target oxygen pressure in the chamber atmosphere is reached, the flow control valve 1112 is closed. A proportional integral derivative (PID) controller subsequently adjusts the flow control valve 1112 to maintain the oxygen pressure within about -0.01 ATA and +0.02 ATA of the target pressure.
• PID proportional integral derivative
• the depressurization (ascent) stage of a treatment occurs when the second and forth solenoid valves 1104, 1108 are opened, and the fifth valve 1110 is closed.
• the flow control valve 1112 then regulates the depressurization of the chamber by allowing oxygen to exhaust from the chamber at a desired rate.
• the third solenoid valve 1106 may be opened to allow the rapid exhausting of oxygen from the chamber.
• Temperature display 118 Relative humidity display 120; Session status notification indicator 122; and any other indicator or control known in the art.
• a healthy breathing human at sea level will have their hemoglobin saturated with oxygen at 0.29 ATA pO 2 .
• the laws of physics also dictate that the amount of any gas that can be dissolved in a liquid is proportional to its pressure.
• the human body has two primary means of transporting oxygen to body tissues: First, arterial hemoglobin delivers O 2 captured via respiration through the lung's alveoli and capillary beds, and second, the liquid present in the blood, plasma, which primarily delivers oxygen to cells that are not proximate a capillary bed.
• arterial oxygen tension is approximately lOOmmHg
• tissue oxygen tension approximately 55mmHg.
• Blood hemoglobin is basically at saturation levels at surface oxygen pressure, for each hemoglobin molecule can only capture up to four oxygen molecules. Increasing the partial pressure of oxygen does not allow a hemoglobin molecule to carry any additional oxygen. Plasma, however, can dissolve a substantial amount of oxygen under hyperbaric conditions. Under hyperbaric conditions, plasma transfers substantially more oxygen to each individual cell. 100% oxygen at 3 ATA can increase arterial oxygen tensions to 2000 mmHg, and tissue oxygen tensions to around 500 mmHg, allowing delivery of 60 ml oxygen per liter of blood (compared to 3 ml/l at atmospheric pressure). This phenomenon is easily measured in a body's extremities.
• infrared imaging 1014 is combined with software in order to determine the point in time that defines full body oxygen saturation.
• infrared imaging and imaging software communicate with computerized controls 1002 to customize hyperbaric sessions based on full saturation at a given p0 2 . Additionally, treatment optimization is possible for hyperbaric sessions that are dedicated to treat specific bodily areas, like diabetic extremity gangrenes for example.
• the present invention enables a prescribing doctor to exactly determine how long a subject should be submitted to a specified p0 2 , which is a distinct treatment advantage over what is currently available for an increased level of dosage.
• the precision and availability of data eliminates currently accepted guess work related to hyperbaric chamber sessions.
• hyperbaric control system 1000 and any related peripherals (such as infrared imaging 1014 capabilities) are connected to a hyperbaric chamber and the chamber's peripherals necessary for operation.
• the system 1000 is adaptable for use with gasified liquid oxygen, gaseous oxygen, oxygen enriched air, de-nitrogenated air nitrox, and any other sources of oxygen known in the art. Therefore, existing
• hyperbaric chambers need not be discarded, for they can be retrofitted with a p0 2 - based hyperbaric control system 1000.
• the embodiments described herein are readily adaptable to multiplace hyperbaric chambers.
• several subjects can be confined in the same pressurized environment, each subject breathing elevated oxygen gas levels from a full-face mask or hood.
• Nasal level oxygen pick-up devices (glasses or flex tube, for example) are positioned inside the hood or mask to sample the gas stream.
• a conduit carries the sampled gas outside of the chamber to an oxygen sensor.
• These sensor signals will be delivered to a computer located proximate the chamber operator station where a computer monitors and records each subject's inspired oxygen fraction and at the end of the treatment a report is generated for each subject.
• This system is different than the monoplace system in that it does not directly control the pressure in the chamber, but apprises the operator subject oxygen dosage and alerts the operator if a subject receives inadequate oxygen dosage.
• a monoplace hyperbaric chamber is pressurized with air, and subject breaths elevated oxygen gas through a full-face mask or hood. Given that chamber flushing is not required, once a subject is in the chamber, pressurization starts at a pre-selected pressurization rate.
• oxygen is supplied to the full-face mask or hood at a rate depending on subject need and pressures matching the chamber pressure. This rate is adjustable by the operator.
• a nasal-level oxygen pick-up device (glasses or flex tube, for example) is positioned inside the hood or mask to sample the gas stream.
• a conduit carries the sampled gas from the mask or hood to the outside of the chamber to an oxygen sensor.
• a sample pickup 1200 is designed for being fitted on the head and face of a subject (S) undergoing hyperbaric treatment.
• the pickup 1200 is designed to continuously collect samples of the hyperbaric atmosphere 413 in order to permit analysis of the concentration and to calculate the p0 2 of the atmosphere 413 inhaled by the subject within a monoplace hyperbaric chamber 403.
• the pickup 1200 is of a size and dimension proximate that of a typical eyeglass frame or safety glasses frame.
• the pickup 1200 comprises at least one sample pickup tube 1202 that collects atmospheric samples proximate a subject's (S) nostril height.
• the pick-up tube 1202 is worn by a subject (S) and is situated as close as possible to the actual media inhaled by the subject (S), yet positioned in a same horizontal plane as the subject (S) nostril level and at a distance to minimize the collection of gasses exhaled by the subject (S).
• the pickup 1200 is ideally worn like a pair of glasses, when the subject (S) moves, the sample pickup tube 1202 moves with the subject (S). Therefore atmospheric sampling remains consistent (i.e. the sampling point/s remain/s substantially the same in relation to the subjects nostrils).
• Figure 12 illustrates the pickup 1200 connected to currently available non- collapsing tubing compatible with purified O 2 , using connecting means known in the art.
• sample pickup tubes 1202 are bent to substantially resemble an eyeglass frame.
• a bridge 1204 connects the sample pickup tubes 1202 to provide structural stability to the pickup, and also provides a surface to contact and rest upon a subject's nose to help keep the pickup 1200 in place and provide a comfortable fit for a subject.
• the pickup tubes 1202 are made from 0 2 -resistant tubing made from at least one of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyolefin, acetal copolymer, cast acrylic tubing, Tygon®, Bev-A-Line®, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, fluorinated ethylene propelene, Teflon®, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyetheretherketone resin,
• the pickup tubes 1202 terminate in connectors 1206 that provide a means of connecting the pickup tubes 1202 to at least one transfer tube 1208.
• the transfer tube 1208 is made from flexible, collapse-resistant, 0 2 -resistant tubing.
• the proximate end of the transfer tube 1208 sealedly connects to the connectors 1206 on the pickup tubes 1202.
• the distal end of the transfer tube 1208 connects with at least one sensor (not shown) that aids in atmospheric analysis.
• FIG 13 illustrates an embodiment of the pickup 1200 wherein an eyeglass-like frame 1210 is used to support sample pickup tubes 1202.
• the frame 20 can be manufactured using any moldable or formable O 2 compatible material.
• the frame 1210 is made from a material chosen from the group comprising high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, post-consumer resin, K-resin, epoxy resin, phenolic formaldehyde resin, stainless steel, aluminum, and any other material known in the art.
• the preferred materials for the frame 1210 are O 2 -compatable polymeric alloys suitable for injection molding.
• the bridge 1204 is a saddle type bridge 1204 that incorporates a molded nose pad into the bridge 1204.
• the frame 1210 itself is molded so that frame 1210 integrally comprises the pickup tube 1210. This obviates the need to attach tubing to a frame and minimizes manufacturing cost, yet provides a pickup 1200 that is comfortable for a subject (S) to wear.
• pickup tubes 1202 situated near the subject's (S) nostrils can also be placed using malleable or segmented tubing.
• This type of tubing can be structured to work with non-standard facial topographies so that pickup tubes 1202 remain in the close proximity to the plane of the subject's (S) nostrils.
• the malleable or segmented tubing can be mounted to eyeglass-like frames, a soft headband, or a hard flexible U-shaped headband.
• Figure 4a illustrates the pickup 1200 being worn by a subject (S) in a hyperbaric chamber 403.
• the transfer tube 1208 attaches to a junction 415 present in the hyperbaric chamber 403.
• the junction 415 allows the transfer tube 1208 to communicate with an external transfer tube 1212, the external transfer tube
• the transfer tube 1208 directly communicates with the chamber control system.
• the pickup tubes 1202 provide hyperbaric chamber 403 atmospheric samples to at least one sensor (not shown).
• FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a flexible sampling device 1400.
• the flexible sampling device 1400 is a series of articulable segments 1402.
• the segments 1402 sealedly communicate with proximate like segments 1402 to form a sealed hose 1404.
• the conformation of the hose 1404 is manipulate, yet the hose 1404 statically maintains the conformation into which it is manipulated.
• a first end of the hose 1404 comprises a nozzle 1406.
• the nozzle 1406 is the point where atmospheric samples are introduced into the flexible sampling device 1400.
• At a second end of the hose 1404 is secured an attachment point 1408.
• a valve 1410 is inline with the hose 1404 that regulates the volume of atmosphere sampled by the flexible sampling device 1400.
• the hose 1404 need not be segmented, but is bendable to maintain a desired conformation.
• the flexible sampling device 1400 is attached at an attachment point 1500, preferably on a gurney 1502, that fits within a hyperbaric chamber 403.
• the flexible sampling device 1400 accommodates a subject (S) that has facial deformities, bandage dressings, or other impediments that preclude the use of the eyeglass frame-like like embodiments of contemplated herein (See e.g. Figures 12 and 13). In these cases, the subject (S) is most likely sedated, immobile, or asleep.
• the flexible sampling device 1400 is manipulated so that the nozzle 1406 is placed near a subject's (S) nostrils to sample the atmosphere 413 of the chamber 403 near the nostrils.
• the transfer tube is made from flexible, collapse-resistant, 02-resistant tubing.
• the transfer tube 1208 also attaches to a junction 415 present in the hyperbaric chamber 403.
• the junction 415 allows the transfer tube 1208 to
• the invention also contemplates a method of sampling a hyperbaric chamber's atmosphere utilizing the embodiments of the device herein.
• the invention also contemplates a method of calculating the pO 2 a subject is exposed to by measuring the concentration of O 2 in a hyperbaric chamber at a subject's nostril level utilizing the embodiments of the device herein.
• one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a modified pressure swing adsorption (PSA) device and method to enrich air with oxygen for use in the present embodiments of hyperbaric control.
• PSA pressure swing adsorption
• a PSA system is used to extract N 2 from atmospheric air to provide O 2 for the systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein.
• a PSA system capable of producing 175 SCFH (standard cubic feet/hour) of 93 to 94% O2 was selected and tested with a fixed amount of CGA Grade E breathing air, using the original controls.
• a parameter Oxygen Delay was set to 25 seconds. This delay represents a dwell time of the separated gases inside the pressurization tower prior to opening the valve that releases the OEA to an accumulator tank. This time was shortened to 15 seconds, and another test started, feeding the PSA system with DNAX 36% OEA, the same amount of feed gas and the same control settings with the exception of the now reduced Oxygen Delay.
• the unit produced 294 SCF of OEA with the O2 concentration of 94%.
• DNAX refers to a process of production of EANx by the use of Hollow Fiber Permeation Membrane System, as patented by Undersea Breathing Systems, Inc. Reference is made to U.S. Patent Numbers 5,611 ,845; 5,846,291 ; 5,865,877; and 5,858,064, the disclosure of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

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• 2013
  • 2013-01-30 WO PCT/US2013/023827 patent/WO2013116324A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2013-01-30 CA CA2863631A patent/CA2863631A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-01-30 EP EP13743276.1A patent/EP2809285A4/fr not_active Withdrawn

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