Hyperbaric chamber

A portable hyperbaric chamber system includes a soft-sided, foldable hyperbaric chamber and a substantially rigid, removable, external support structure. The chamber generally includes a wall of a substantially non-breathable, soft-sided, and foldable material and an accessway sealable with a non-breathable closure so as to maintain a hyperbaric pressure within the chamber. The chamber also includes at least one fastener, such as a bolt or threaded stud, extending from the wall that permits the chamber to be removably attached to the support structure, thereby to maintain the chamber in an uncollapsed state when the chamber interior is not maintained at a hyperbaric pressure. The support structure includes structures complementary to the fasteners (e.g., apertures to pass bolts and locking knobs to secure bolts).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a. Field of the Invention

The instant invention relates generally to hyperbaric chambers. In particular, the instant invention relates to a portable hyperbaric chamber system including a removable external support structure.

b. Background Art

Certain activities, such as mountaineering and skiing, subject participants to reduced pressures. These reduced pressures can lead to what is commonly referred to as mountain sickness, with symptoms including nausea and headache. Other activities, such as diving and deep sea construction, subject participants to elevated pressures. If the participant returns to normal atmospheric pressures too rapidly, the participant may experience the detrimental health effects of decompression sickness.

To treat either mountain sickness or decompression sickness, it is known to place the patient in a high-pressure environment. Hyperbaric chambers are a convenient way to provide such a therapeutic environment. A hyperbaric chamber is a chamber in which a pressure greater than ambient, over and above the range of pressure variation encountered in the course of normal weather fluctuations, can be achieved. U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,829 to Gamow et al. (“Gamow”) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,543 to Bower (“Bower”), the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties, provide examples of such hyperbaric chambers.

Extant hyperbaric chambers, however, generally require a tradeoff between portability and capacity. That is, higher-pressure hyperbaric chambers tend to be more rigid and less portable, while portable chambers tend to be lower pressure. The hyperbaric chamber of Gamow, for example, is a portable chamber capable of achieving pressures up to about 10 psig, which are suitable for treating mild symptoms of pressure sickness. As one of skill in the art will recognize, higher pressure chambers are useful for treating more severe symptoms of decompression or mountain sickness, as well as for other conditions including carbon monoxide poisoning, wound healing, and burns.

Further, to the extent that a portable chamber is also collapsible, a rigid internal frame, generally made of metal, is often used to retain the uncompressed chamber in a substantially uncollapsed configuration. This aids in ingress to and egress from the chamber when it is in an unpressurized state (e.g., before or after treatment). Installation of this rigid frame into the interior of the chamber may be difficult and time consuming. In addition, an exposed metal frame within the chamber is not aesthetically pleasing and may also be physically uncomfortable for the chamber occupant.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable hyperbaric chamber system that retains an uncollapsed state when assembled, even though the chamber interior may not be pressurized, and without the use of a rigid internal frame.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a hyperbaric chamber, including: a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a chamber interior, the wall including a substantially non-breathable, soft-sided, and foldable material; an accessway into the chamber interior in the wall; a non-breathable closure configured to seal the accessway into the chamber interior such that a hyperbaric pressure may be maintained within the chamber interior; and at least one fastener, such as a bolt, threaded stud, or similar elongate fastener, extending from the outer surface of the wall and configured to be removably attached to a support structure to maintain the hyperbaric chamber in an uncollapsed state when the chamber interior is not maintained at a hyperbaric pressure.

In some embodiments, the at least one fastener passes entirely through the wall with a first end of the at least one fastener located within the chamber interior, and also including a seal adjacent an interface between the at least one fastener and the wall such that a hyperbaric pressure may be maintained within the chamber interior. For example, at least one non-breathable patch may cover the first end of the at least one fastener and be bonded to the interior surface of the wall. In other embodiments, the at least one fastener is attached to the outer surface of the wall.

Typically, the at least one fastener includes at least one fastener at a first end of the hyperbaric chamber and at least one fastener at a second end of the hyperbaric chamber. Preferably, the at least one fastener at the first end of the hyperbaric chamber includes a pair of fasteners at the first end of the hyperbaric chamber and the at least one fastener at the second end of the hyperbaric chamber includes a pair of fasteners at the second end of the hyperbaric chamber.

The invention also includes a support structure configured to maintain the hyperbaric chamber in an uncollapsed state when the chamber interior is not maintained at a hyperbaric pressure. The support structure generally includes at least one external rib to which the at least one fastener is configured to be removably attached, thereby pulling the wall of the hyperbaric chamber into the uncollapsed state. Preferably, the support structure includes a first external rib configured to wrap at least partially around the outer surface of the hyperbaric chamber proximate a first end thereof; and a second external rib configured to wrap at least partially around the outer surface of the hyperbaric chamber proximate a second end thereof, wherein each of the first rib and the second rib is configured to have at least one fastener of the hyperbaric chamber removably attached thereto, thereby pulling the wall of the hyperbaric chamber into the uncollapsed state. Optionally, the support structure further includes at least one cross-member connected to the first rib and the second rib, thereby maintaining a preset distance between the first rib and the second rib. It is desirable for the support structure (e.g., the at least one rib) to be substantially rigid (that is, only slightly elastically deformable, if elastically deformable if at all).

In another aspect, the invention provides a hyperbaric chamber system, generally including a soft-sided hyperbaric chamber and a support frame. The chamber generally includes: a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface that defines a chamber interior, the wall being of a substantially non-breathable, foldable material; a sealable accessway into the chamber interior in the wall; a closure configured to seal the accessway such that a hyperbaric pressure may be maintained within the chamber interior; a first elongate fastener extending from the outer surface of the wall proximate a first end of the chamber; and a second elongate fastener extending from the outer surface of the wall proximate a second end of the chamber.

The support frame generally includes: a first substantially rigid rib configured to wrap at least partially around the outer surface of the chamber proximate the first end thereof when removably attached to the first elongate fastener; and a second substantially rigid rib configured to wrap at least partially around the outer surface of the chamber proximate the second end thereof when removably attached to the second elongate fastener. The support frame optionally further includes at least one substantially rigid cross-member connected to the first substantially rigid rib and the second substantially rigid rib, thereby maintaining a preset distance therebetween.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an easily assembled portable hyperbaric chamber system.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a hyperbaric chamber that retains an uncollapsed state even when the chamber is not pressurized, thereby aiding ingress to and egress from the chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a collapsible, pressurizable bladder and an inflatable support member supporting the bladder in a substantially uncollapsed configuration. The use of an inflatable support member facilitates rapid and simple installation of the support structure as compared to a rigid frame. Further, whereas a rigid frame is not aesthetically pleasing and is potentially physically uncomfortable, an inflatable support member is both attractive and more comfortable for the occupant of the chamber.

A system for treating symptoms of pressure sickness includes a collapsible chamber capable of sustaining hyperbaric pressures. A reinforcing harness is disposed on an outer surface of the chamber. The reinforcing harness permits the chamber to both operate at and sustain higher pressures than extant flexible, collapsible hyperbaric chambers. Thus, the instant invention can be used to create a therapeutic environment for treating both more severe pressure sickness symptoms and other undesirable conditions.

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. A hyperbaric chamber10generally includes a collapsible, and therefore portable, pressurizable bladder12and an inflatable support member14. Bladder12can be rendered pressurizable by forming it of an inherently substantially non-breathable material, such as a polyamide, nylon, or polyester. As used herein, the terms “non-breathable” and “air-impermeable” are largely synonymous, and refer to that which is substantially gas-impermeable, at least with respect to the major gaseous components of the atmosphere. Alternatively, bladder12may be made of a breathable material treated with a substantially non-breathable polymeric coating such as polyurethane or polyvinylchloride (PVC). Bladder12may also include one or more viewports16, which may be of a flexible film type. In some embodiments of the invention, viewports16are polycarbonate-reinforced, for example with a LEXAN® shield18. Shield18prevents deformation and potential failure of viewport16under pressure, and thereby facilitates increased pressures within bladder12.

When pressurized, and thus uncollapsed, bladder12is substantially cylindrical in shape. Since bladder12is flexible and collapsible, however, it tends to collapse when unpressurized. A collapsed bladder12is difficult to enter or exit, and may cause discomfort for a patient occupying an unpressurized, and therefore substantially collapsed, bladder12during the initial and final moments of a treatment cycle. To address this, inflatable support member14supports bladder12in a substantially uncollapsed, substantially cylindrical configuration when depressurized, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

In embodiments, hyperbaric chamber10includes multiple inflatable support members14, for example two external inflatable support members14aand two internal inflatable support members14blocated generally at opposing ends of bladder12and forming, in effect, a structural frame for bladder12. It should be understood, however, that more or fewer inflatable support members14may be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Inflatable support member14is, in some embodiments of the invention, an inflatable rib with curvature corresponding generally to the substantially cylindrical shape of the pressurized, uncollapsed bladder12, though other configurations of inflatable support member14, such as longitudinal or radial support members, are also contemplated.

Referring now toFIG. 3, external inflatable support member14aand internal inflatable support member14bare shown supporting bladder12in a substantially uncollapsed, substantially cylindrical configuration. External support member14aexternally supports bladder12via an attachment to an exterior surface17of bladder12. That is, external support member14apulls bladder12into a substantially uncollapsed configuration. External support member14a, in particular flats19thereof, may also serve as a roll-prevention stand for bladder12.

FIG. 4illustrates an attachment sleeve20for attaching external support member14ato bladder12. Multiple such attachment sleeves20may be used to secure external support member14ato bladder12. Attachment sleeve20includes first and second straps22,24, which are attached to bladder12via an attachment panel26. First and second straps22,24may alternatively be attached directly to exterior surface17of bladder12. Straps22,24, attachment panel26, and bladder12may be attached, for example, via sewing or heat seal. Straps22,24are joined by a fastener28, such as a snap, a button, a clasp, a toggle, laces, or a hook-and-loop fastener. In use, external support member14ais placed between straps22,24along exterior surface17. Straps22,24are then fastened about external support member14a. It should be understood that this assembly may equally be accomplished with external support member14ain an inflated, partially inflated, or completely deflated state. Other methods of attachment, including, but not limited to, permanently attaching external support member14ato bladder12, such as via sewing or heat seal, are also contemplated.

Returning now toFIG. 3, internal inflatable support member14bsupports bladder12in a substantially uncollapsed configuration via an abutment against an interior surface30of bladder12. In embodiments, internal support member14bis attached to interior surface30, for example via a hook-and-loop fastener or a fastener similar to attachment sleeve20. It should be understood from this disclosure and from practicing the invention, however, that, when inflated, internal support member14bpushes bladder12into a substantially uncollapsed configuration regardless of any attachment between internal support member14band bladder12. As with external support member14a, the installation of internal support member14binto bladder12may be accomplished with internal support member14bin an inflated, partially inflated, or completely deflated state.

FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, show the construction of external and internal support members14a,14b. External and internal support members14a,14binclude air bladders32a,32band jackets34a,34bsubstantially surrounding air bladders32a,32b. Like bladder12, air bladders32a,32bmay be formed of a substantially non-breathable material, or, alternatively, of a breathable material treated with a substantially non-breathable coating. Jackets34a,34bprovide durability and reinforcement to support members14a,14b. Jackets34a,34bfurther provide a surface for attachment between support members14a,14band attachment panel26, in the case of external support member14a, and hook-and-loop fastener36, in the case of internal support member14b. Jackets34a,34bmay be made of polyester or nylon, though other materials are contemplated.

Returning now toFIG. 1, one or more stiffening staves38, installed in corresponding stave sleeves40, may also support bladder12in a substantially uncollapsed configuration. Stave38and sleeve40are also shown inFIG. 7, which further illustrates the construction of bladder12. Bladder12includes a pressurizable internal shell42and an outer jacket44substantially surrounding shell42. Internal shell42is substantially non-breathable. As with jackets34on inflatable support members14, jacket44lends durability and reinforcement to pressurizable internal shell42, and may be made of polyester or nylon, though other materials are contemplated.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, hyperbaric chamber10further includes a reinforcing harness46substantially surrounding bladder12and disposed on exterior surface17thereof. Reinforcing harness46increases the pressure achievable within bladder12. Reinforcing harness46may include both circumferential (or hoop) straps48and longitudinal straps50substantially surrounding bladder12. Straps48,50may be fastened by buckles51. In some embodiments of the invention, reinforcing harness46includes a plurality of circumferential straps48interconnected by at least one longitudinal strap50to form a web-like reinforcing harness46. It should be understood that more or fewer straps48,50than shown may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and that the maximum pressure attainable within bladder12is related to the number and configuration of straps48,50utilized.

As shown inFIG. 8, bladder12incorporates an accessway to the interior thereof, including a substantially non-breathable closure52. Non-breathable closure52is a multiple zipper closure including a first, inner zipper54, a second, outer zipper56, and a substantially air-impermeable gasket58disposed between first and second zippers54,56. In some embodiments of the invention, first and second zippers54,56extend along substantially the entire length of bladder12to facilitate ingress and egress. Gasket58is, in some embodiments of the invention, a two-ply rubber flap. As illustrated, first zipper54is attached to a first zipper flap60, while second zipper56is attached to internal shell42. It should be understood, however, that other constructions and arrangements of first and second zippers54,56are contemplated.

To close non-breathable closure52and pressurize bladder12from the outside of hyperbaric chamber10, first zipper54is closed. Gasket58is then laid over first zipper52, and second zipper56is closed. To close non-breathable closure52from the inside of hyperbaric chamber10, the reverse process is followed. Non-breathable closure52will seal (that is, gasket58will be tightly sandwiched between first and second zippers54,56) when bladder12is pressurized.

To increase the pressure attainable within bladder12, non-breathable closure52further includes a reinforcing zipper62installed in a reinforcing zipper flap64. Reinforcing zipper62also reduces the likelihood of sudden decompression of bladder12. As illustrated, reinforcing zipper62and reinforcing zipper flap64are installed outside of second zipper56. It should be understood, however, that reinforcing zipper62and reinforcing zipper flap64could equally well be installed inside first zipper54. Additional zippers66,68may also be incorporated into jacket44or internal shell42to increase the strength of, and therefore the pressure attainable within, bladder12.

FIG. 9is an end view of hyperbaric chamber10. Visible are a number of pass-thrus70into the interior of bladder12. Attached to at least one pass-thru70via a hose72, and thus in fluid communication with the interior of bladder12, is a source of pressurized air, such as compressed air tank74. An appropriate valve may be provided adjacent one or both of compressed air tank74and pass-thru70. Compressed air tank74may also be used to inflate support members14.

Attached to a second pass-thru70via a second hose72is a cooling source76. Cooling source76, which, in some embodiments of the invention is a flexible bag filled with ice and water, conditions the air within bladder12. Cooling source76may also be a rigid-walled container, and may further be insulated to preserve the cold contents thereof. Additional elements, for example air scrubbers, rebreathers, oxygen supplies, or chemical/biological decontamination filters, may also be placed in fluid communication with the interior of bladder12via additional pass-thrus70.

Another aspect of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 10-12.FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate a hyperbaric chamber100generally including a wall102of a substantially non-breathable, soft-sided, and foldable material. Wall102includes an outer surface104and an inner surface106(not shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, but illustrated inFIG. 12), with inner surface106defining the interior of hyperbaric chamber100. An accessway into the interior of hyperbaric chamber100is also provided, as is a non-breathable closure108(for example, as described above) to seal the accessway such that a hyperbaric pressure may be maintained within the chamber interior. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there are many possible configurations of hyperbaric chamber100that are within the scope of the present teachings.

At least one fastener110(a total of six are shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, but more or fewer could be employed without departing from the scope of the present teachings) extends from outer surface104of wall102of hyperbaric chamber100. Fasteners110are configured to be removably attached to a support structure112, described in further detail below, so as to maintain hyperbaric chamber100in a substantially uncollapsed state when the chamber interior is not maintained at a hyperbaric pressure. Preferably, fasteners110are elongate fasteners such as bolts, threaded studs, or the like, configured for removable attachment to support structure112. However, the use of other fasteners (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, etc.) is contemplated.

In some embodiments of the invention, for example as illustrated inFIG. 12, fasteners112pass entirely through wall102of hyperbaric chamber100, such that a first end114(e.g., a head) of fastener110is located within the chamber interior and a second end116of fastener110is located outside hyperbaric chamber110. A seal is provided adjacent the interface between fastener110and wall102such that a hyperbaric pressure may be maintained within the chamber interior without appreciable pressure leakage through the interface between fastener110and wall102. For example, where the fastener is a bolt, an air-tight gasket may be provided between the head of the bolt and the inner surface of the wall. Alternatively, a non-breathable patch118may be bonded (e.g., sonically welded, laminated, chemically adhered, or the like) to inner surface106of wall102covering first end114of fastener110(as shown inFIG. 12).

In other embodiments of the invention, fasteners110are attached to outer surface104of wall102. For example, fasteners110may be attached to outer surface104of wall102via a patch bonded (e.g., sonically welded, laminated, chemically adhered, or the like) to outer surface104of wall102and through which fasteners110pass, such that a portion of fastener110(e.g., the head of the bolt) is sandwiched between outer surface104of wall102and the patch.

There are many suitable arrangements for fasteners110on hyperbaric chamber100. Preferably, there is at least one fastener110at a first end of the hyperbaric chamber (e.g., the head) and at least one fastener110at a second end of the hyperbaric chamber (e.g., the foot). More preferably, as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, there is a pair of fasteners110at each end of the hyperbaric chamber, with the members of each pair being spaced apart from each other around the circumference of the chamber (shown to good advantage inFIG. 11). Of course, additional fasteners110may also be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, a third pair of fasteners110may be provided proximate the head of the hyperbaric chamber.

Fasteners110are configured to be removably attached to external support structure or frame112such that wall102of hyperbaric chamber100is maintained in an uncollapsed state even though the chamber interior may not be pressurized. Support structure112generally includes at least one external rib120, and preferably at least a pair of external ribs120, configured to wrap at least partially around outer surface104of hyperbaric chamber100(e.g., a first rib configured to wrap at least partially around the head of the chamber and a second rib configured to wrap at least partially around the foot of the chamber). At least one cross-member122may also be connected to the ribs120in order to maintain a preset distance therebetween. Of course, additional members, such as intermediate rib120′, may also be provided if desired.

Preferably, support structure112is made of a substantially rigid material. The phrase “substantially rigid” refers to a material that may be capable of a small degree of elastic deformation, but which generally retains a preset shape, such as the curved shapes depicted inFIGS. 10 and 11. One suitable material for the support structure is aluminum, which is light weight and high strength, though one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other materials, including metals, metal alloys, and plastics, may also be employed consistent with the teachings herein.

The attachment of hyperbaric chamber100to support structure112via fasteners110will be described with reference toFIG. 12. (Hyperbaric chamber100and support structure112may be collectively referred to as a “hyperbaric chamber system.”) As shown inFIG. 12, second end116of fastener110is inserted through an aperture in support structure112. A knob124(and, optionally, one or more washers126) may then be placed onto fastener110. As knob124is tightened onto fastener110, it will pull wall102of hyperbaric chamber100progressively against support structure112(note thatFIG. 12illustrates a jacket128with grommet130on the outside of wall102). By repeating this process at each fastener110, hyperbaric chamber100may be securely attached to support structure112in an uncollapsed state, even when the interior of hyperbaric chamber100is not under pressure, thereby aiding ingress to and egress from hyperbaric chamber100. To disassemble the hyperbaric chamber system, the opposite process may be followed.

Although several embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. For example, although an example of hyperbaric chamber10is shown using zippers54,56,62,66, and68, it will be appreciated that other closures can be used. For example, one or more of zippers54,56,62,66,68may be replaced by a hook-and-loop fastener, a series of buttons, snaps, toggles, or clasps, or laces. As another example, fasteners110may be snaps configured to mate with complementary snaps on the interior of external ribs120.

Further, though pressurized air source has been described and illustrated as a compressed air tank, other sources of compressed air, including, but not limited to, air compressors and pumps, are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Additionally, though hyperbaric chamber10has been described as useful for the treatment of mountain sickness or decompression sickness, it may also be used to isolate and treat an individual who has been exposed to a toxic hazard such as a chemical or biological weapon, and transferred safely under pressure and quarantine as a “hyperbaric stretcher.”

One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the teachings herein may be practiced in various combinations without departing from the scope of the invention.

All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.