HYPERBARIC CHAMBER

Abstract: A portable hyperbaric chamber that allows a person to perform endurance exercise at barometric pressures of from 0 to 10 lbs./square inch greater than ambient. The chamber is portable, semi-spherical and inexpensively constructed of an essentially air-impermeable, flexible material. The chamber is used for endurance conditioning, to improve the athletic performance of people who live at altitudes above sea level.

Description: As man roams the globe, from climbing high mountains to exploring ocean depths, increasing instances occur of detrimental effects of acute or chronic exposure to altitude or to reduced ambient pressure. A variety of acute, subacute and chronic conditions related to brief or prolonged exposure to altitude (or to decompression, in the case of divers and others working at elevated pressure) are nevertheless alleviated by treatment in a hyperbaric atmosphere. (The term "hyperbaric" is used herein to mean a pressure greater than ambient, over and above the range of pressure variation encountered in the course of normal fluctuations in atmospheric pressure caused by changes in the weather.) It is well-known that humans ascending to altitude may experience a variety of symptoms collectively known as "mountain sickness." The symptoms of mountain sickness are especially prevalent with people coming from sea level to ski at ski resorts 2000 meters and higher above sea level. In general, these symptoms are not severe and after a few days of nausea and headache the symptoms go away. Nevertheless, some individuals are dreadfully sick even at these low altitudes, and it would be beneficial to get them to a higher barometric pressure as soon as possible. On the other hand, severe mountain sickness which includes the following diseases: acute mountain sickness, high altitude pulmonary edema, Monge's disease and Brisket disease, are of major concern of mountaineers. The problems for mountaineers are of course very much greater than for the recreational skier. First, the latitudes may be very much greater, approaching 10,000 meters, and the physical condition of the climbers themselves is greatly weakened not only from the altitude but from the long-term exposure to extreme elements. All life supporting systems must be carried by foot and be contained in backpacks. To date, if a climber becomes severely ill because of the altitude the only treatment is to get him or her to as low an elevation as possible as soon as possible. This is often not done because weather and terrain conditions may trap the climbers for days, if not weeks. A second problem that mountaineers experience at altitude is the inability to maintain a regular sleep cycle. This problem is more severe for some climbers than others, but it is a problem for every high altitude climber. The invention described herein provides a portable hyperbaric chamber which can be folded or collapsed and carried in a backpack, to be deployed as needed to simulate a lower altitude for a climber suffering mountain sickness without moving the climber to a lower altitude. Hyperbaric chambers of the prior art have generally been heavy, rigid structures, permanently installed. Any structure of rectilinear design must be constructed of extremely strong and heavy materials, even to maintain 68.9 kPa (10 pounds per square inch) pressure greater than ambient. Structures with such design are permanently installed. Cylindrical chambers large enough to admit a human being and allow movement within the chamber have been disclosed (see, e.g., Wallace et al . U.S. Patent 4,196,656), but such structures are not truly portable, which term is used herein to mean capable of being dismantled, packaged and carried by an individual person. Air-supported structures, tennis domes, radomes and the like are distinguished from the devices of the present invention by the fact that only a minuscule increment of pressure is needed to maintain such structures in an inflated condition. For example, a pressure differential of only 70 mm water pressure is all that is required to maintain the rigidity of a radar dome of 15 meter diameter in winds up to 240 mph. In units of psi, 70 mm of water is approximately 0.67 kPa (0.1 lb/sq. inch), an amount within the range of normal atmospheric fluctuations due to weather conditions and not hyperbaric as herein defined. Examples of air-supported, but nonhyperbaric structures are shown by Dent, R.M., Principles of Pneumatic Architecture (1972), John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York; by Riordan, U.S. Patent 4,103,369; and by Jones III, U.S. Patent 3,801,093. DE-A-3004156 discloses a device for ameliorating the effects of mountain sickness comprising an inner airtight bag and an outer support bag, and a source of compressed air which is connectable to the interior of the inner bag. DE-A-3004156 teaches that window openings may be made in the support bag, and that material which is airtight and at the same time transparent (such as polyvinylchloride film) is expansible. Accordingly, DE-A-3004156 teaches that the inner bag is placed within the support bag in order that the inner bag should not burst upon inflation. Summary of Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a portable, inflatable and collapsible hyperbaric chamber made of flexible, non-breathable material having one or more windows of flexible, non-breathable transparent material and having an essentially cylinder shape when inflated, said chamber comprising hand- or foot-operated pump means and differential pressure valve outlet means, or compressed air tank means and adjustable demand valve inlet means for achieving and adjusting air pressure inside the chamber to at least one value within the range from 1.38 to 68.9 kPa (0.2 to 10 psi) greater than ambient, and means for human ingress and egress which can be closed to prevent loss of pressurised air, characterised in that said chamber capable of maintaining said pressure above ambient, is formed by a single shell and in that said windows form part of said single shell. The device of the present invention is designed to provide a portable, compact hyperbaric enclosure for temporary use by a human being to obtain relief from altitude sickness, pulmonary edema and sleep cycle disruption. The device, which will be referred to herein as a hyperbaric mountain bubble, need not be much larger than a sleeping bag. In preferred embodiments the pressure is achieved and maintained in the range from 1.38 to 27.6 kPa (0.2 psi to 4 psi) above ambient. A hyperbaric mountain bubble is constructed of a flexible, nonbreathable fabric capable of retaining air at a pressure of from 1.38 to 68.9 kPa (0.2 psi to 10 psi) gage, large enough to enclose a human being. The bubble has means for ingress and egress which may be closed to provide an essentially air-tight seal. Means for inflating the bubble and achieving an elevated pressure of from 1.38 to 68.9 kPa (0.2 psi to 10 psi) gage and valve means for controlling air pressure are provided. Optionally, means for scavenging excess moisture and carbon dioxide from the interior may be provided, although such devices need not be integral to the bubble. The bubble is constructed in an essentially "sausage" shape (cylindrical with hemispherical ends). The bubble may be fully self-supporting or it may have flexible wands or other means for extending the structure to an ambient pressure-inflated condition before being pressurized. The bubble can be used for any condition of mountain sickness, sleep cycle disruption or pulmonary edema, where a decreased altitude (or increased ambient air pressure) is desired. Each pound per square inch of pressure above ambient corresponds approximately to a decrease of 2,000 feet altitude. The affected individual is placed within the bubble, the entrance sealed and the bubble is then pressurized to the desired pressure, which will vary, depending on the elevation and severity of symptoms. Frequently it is found that a descent of 610 to 1219 m (2,000-4,000 feet) provides relief; therefore, 6.89 to 13.78 kPa (1-2 pounds per square inch) gage of hyperbaric pressure will be adequate in many cases. Essential features of the bubble for its intended use are that it be lightweight, portable, compactly foldable when not in use, and above all, capable of retaining an internal air pressure of at least greater than 1.38 kPa (0.2 psi) gage and preferably up to 27.56-34.45 kPa (4-5 psi) gage, although embodiments capable of retaining up to 68.9 kPa (10 psi) gage are described herein. The mountain bubble achieves the following goals: to provide a portable structure of light weight capable of maintaining in its interior an elevated pressure of up to 68.9 kPa (10 psi) above ambient, to provide sufficient interior volume to permit a human being to sleep within a sleeping bag, to provide a design capable of being executed at a cost commensurate with other mountain survival equipment, to provide a living space for mountaineers suffering from high altitude sickness or who have altitude-related sleeping problems. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows views of a hyperbaric mountain bubble embodiment of the invention from the left exterior (Fig. 1a), right exterior (Fig. 1b) and in a representative cross section (Fig. 1c). Orientation of the mountain bubble is regarded as that of a person lying supine inside the device. Fig. 1c also shows a detail of outer shell seam construction. Figure 2 is a pattern diagram for constructing a mountain bubble embodiment. General Features of Hyperbaric Chambers of the Invention The mountain bubble described herein is designed to be light and compact enough to be carried in a backpack as normal emergency equipment of a high altitude expedition. Alternatively, it can be carried in an ambulance as part of standard equipment for emergency treatment of pulmonary edema at any altitude. The material of the embodiments is flexible, defined as having flexibility characteristics similar to fabric, vinyl or leather. The material is nonbreathable, defined herein as substantially gas impermeable, at least with respect to the major gaseous components of the atmosphere. The devices of the invention are designed to maintain pressure from 1.38 to 68.9 kPa (0.2 to 10 psi) above ambient. For purposes of defining pressures greater than ambient, it will be understood that any such pressure is measured above the normal background of atmospheric pressure fluctuations due to weather. Preferred embodiments maintain pressures from 1.38 to 27.56 kPa (0.2 psi to 4 psi) above ambient. Many suitable means for introducing air or gas mixtures to achieve a desired pressure are known in the art. The choice thereof will depend on the use to be made of the device, the volume of air to be delivered and the desired rate of circulation. Other considerations, such as temperature, humidity and noise level are also significant. For the mountain bubble, where extreme portability is desired and the total air volume is small, a hand pump such as is used for bicycle tires can be used to inflate the device. Where a constant air flow at preset pressure is desired, a differential pressure gauge with an exhaust valve may be included. Other means, including supplying air or gas from a pressurized tank may be used, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. It will also be understood that positive displacement pumping means are required because fans, blowers and the like are not capable of providing the desired range of pressures. The internal atmospheric composition can be controlled by means known to the art. As examples without any limitation of such means, known expedients for scavenging CO₂ and humidity may be employed. The mountain bubble, enclosing a resting individual, can contain such CO₂ and humidity control as required using portable canisters of scavenging materials known in the art. Temperature can be controlled, where needed, by conventional means external to the devices themselves. For example, a patient in the mountain bubble can be kept warm in a sleeping bag. The devices can be constructed of pre-cut panels of flexible, air-impermeable material, preferably vinyl or Kevlar (Trademark, DuPont Corporation, Wilmington, Delaware), sewed with overlapping, flat-felled seams, sealed with heat-activated tape or preferably electrowelded. It is understood in the art that the tensile strength required of the shell material increases directly as the diameter of the chamber. For example, a chamber or bubble of twice the diameter must withstand twice the tensile force at any given pressure. Larger structures therefore warrant greater safety precautions to prevent structural damage. Fail-safe means for fastening the closure of ingress and egress means can also be provided. For example, the mountain bubble can be closed with lacing of Velcro-type strips to reinforce the air-tight zipper. Such reinforcement can be designed to be operable from inside or outside. Preferably, the mountain bubble can be equipped with a reinforcement operable from outside (or from either side) to allow the patient to be assisted by others. The bubble can be free-standing, supported by its own rigidity when pressurized, or it can be supported with flexible wands, attached to the inner walls of a conventional tent or provided with inflatable ribs, all according to expedients known in the art of tent design. The problem to be overcome is that the pumping means must be compact and lightweight and therefore likely to be of limited capacity. It is therefore desirable to provide a separate way of initially filling the bubble essentially full to ambient pressure. One expedient is to provide a bubble that is dimensioned to fit within a conventional mountain tent, with ties, Velcro fasteners (Trademark Velcro Industries, NV, Willamstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles) or the like to attach the bubble walls to the tent walls, thereby opening the bubble and filling it with air at ambient pressure. Another embodiment includes flexible wands of, e.g., aluminum or fiberglass which can be inserted in tubes or channels to hold the bubble erect, as in conventional mountain tent design. Such a bubble could be used either free-standing or inside a conventional tent. Another expedient is to provide an inflatable shell around the bubble itself. The outer shell could be pressurized, for example, by hot air provided by a cooking stove. In the latter embodiment, an added advantage of interior warmth and insulation is provided by the outer layer. A preferred embodiment of the mountain bubble is shown in Figure 1. The bubble is cylindrical or sausage-shaped, long enough to allow a human subject to lie full length within it, as well as a sleeping bag or blankets for warmth. The diameter is sufficient to provide some air space above the patient. A suitable breathing atmosphere is provided by a portable closed circuit oxygen scuba respiration system such as that manufactured by Rexmord Breathing Systems, Malvern, Pennsylvania, which can be carried inside the bubble. The bubble is constructed from flexible air-impermeable walls, sealed with an overlapping, preferably heat-activated tape seam and provided with an airtight zipper for ingress and egress while the bubble is depressurized. The seams may be made by sewing together the panels to be joined face-to-face, then folding the free borders of the joined pieces under and top stitching to create an air-tight, stress-absorbing seam. However, it is anticipated that radio-frequency welding, rather than sewing, will yield more air-tight seams. The zipper may be of the kind commonly used for underwater drysuits, such as the zippers manufactured by Talon Corporation, Meadeville, Pennsylvania. An outer shell insulating material is optionally provided for added warmth. The outer shell is preferably closed by a Velcro strip, preferably reinforced by laces or straps. The bubble can be pressurized by a source of compressed air, such as a tank, or, of greatest portability, by a hand- or foot-operated pump. In either case, it is preferred to have a demand valve incorporated into the side wall of the bubble, adjustable over a range of pressure to provide the pressure needed for alleviating the patient's symptoms. For maximum utility, the structural components are chosen, according to principles known in the art, to construct a bubble capable of maintaining pressures adjustable in the range from 1.38 kPa to 68.9 kPa (0.2 to 10) psi greater than ambient. For maximum portability, a most preferred embodiment of lighter weight components will be capable of maintaining pressures adjustable from 1.38 to 27.56 kPa (0.2 to 4 psi) greater than ambient. It will be apparent that variations in materials, construction techniques, and pressure maintenance and control means are possible within the scope of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. Added refinements, including temperature and humidity control, lighting and electrical hook-ups may be included. Such refinements and modifications alone or in combination are deemed to fall within the scope of the claimed invention, being refinements or equivalents available to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. Detailed Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows the mountain bubble in exterior views a) and b). Visible exterior features include the exterior wall (1), window constructed of clear Kevlar supported nylon membrane (4), Velcro outer closure (5), compressed air tank (8) for achieving and maintaining internal pressure connected to the interior of the bubble by a demand valve (9) adjustable to maintain a predetermined internal pressure. The compressed air tank (8) can be substituted by an optional pump operable by hand or foot. In Figure 1c, the bubble is shown in cross-section showing a patient (10), lying supine within the bubble. The bubble is constructed with an interior, air-impermeable zipper (6) and a Velcro outer closure (5). The outer closure is reinforceable by exterior straps or laces (2), shown in Figure 1b. A regulated air supply for the patient (10) is provided by a closed circuit oxygen scuba rebreather (11) of a type such a sold by Rexmord. In use the bubble is unfolded, the closures (5) and (7) are opened, the subject is placed inside the bubble, the closed circuit rebreather (11) is attached and adjusted, the air tight zipper (6) and outer closure (5) are closed and the bubble is gradually inflated by means of the compressed air source (8) or optional pump to the desired pressure. For mild cases, relief of symptoms can be obtained by a pressure increment equivalent to an altitude decrease of 610 to 1219 m (2,000 to 4,000 feet). Therefore, inflation to 6.89 to 13.78 kPa (1 to 2 pounds psi) above ambient may provide relief, although higher pressures will be required in more severe cases. Care should be taken to pressurize the bubble slowly enough to allow the patient to adjust air pressure in the middle ear, as is well-known in the art. The internal pressure is then maintained or adjusted upwards or downward as the patient's condition dictates. Figure 2 is a pattern, to scale, of a hyperbaric mountain bubble. All dimensions are given in inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm). Two pieces of 400 denier nylon supported Kevlar scrim (DuPont) cut to the pattern shown in the figure are used to construct the bubble. The two pieces are joined together along the straight side (1), using a heat-activated tape such as Scotchweld No. 588 (Trademark, 3M Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota). The pieces are formed into a cylinder such that sides (b) and (b') are contiguous and the ends are closed by overlapping the scalloped edges (a') and fastening with heat activated tape. The seams formed by joining edges (b) and (b') are in part sealed with the same tape, and in part with an air-proof zipper such as manufactured by talon Corporation. The heat activated tape is also used to seal any inlet or exhaust parts. The finished length of the bag is about 2.03 m (80 inches) and the circumference is 1.88 m (74 inches).

Claims: A portable, inflatable and collapsible hyperbaric chamber made of flexible, non-breathable material having one or more windows (4) of flexible, non-breathable transparent material and having an essentially cylinder shape when inflated, said chamber comprising hand- or foot-operated pump means and differential pressure valve outlet means, or compressed air tank means (8) and adjustable demand valve inlet means (9) for achieving and adjusting air pressure inside the chamber to at least one value within the range from 1.38 to 68.9 kPa (0.2 to 10 psi) greater than ambient, and means (5, 6) for human ingress and egress which can be closed to prevent loss of pressurised air, characterised in that said chamber capable of maintaining said pressure above ambient, is formed by a single shell (1) and in that said windows form part of said single shell. A hyperbaric chamber according to claim 1 wherein said means for ingress and egress comprises air tight zipper means. A hyperbaric chamber according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein air pressure inside the chamber is adjustable to a value within the range from 1.38 to 27.6 kPa (0.2 to 4 psi) above ambient.

Inventors: GAMOW, R. IGOR, GEER, GEOFFREY A.
Applicants: PORTABLE HYPERBARICS, INC.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61G10
IPC codes: A62B31, A61G10