HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CHAMBER MANUFACTURED UTILITIZING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
20230338217 · 2023-10-26
Inventors
Cpc classification
B33Y80/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
The present invention relates to an adaptive hyperbaric oxygen chamber designed to function as a medical apparatus in order to treat a subject suffering from any FDA approved medical condition. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber is designed and constructed in such a way that only one subject can be allowed to sit in an upright seated position, unless a pediatric seat is occupied by a pediatric patient and an adult is seated in the standard seat to accompany the pediatric patient. The upright patient seat when treating a pediatric patient is in the extended position while the occupant enters and exits the mono medical hyperbaric oxygen chamber and the seat is returned to the fixed position inside the hyperbaric oxygen chamber while the overhead door is closed. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber is made using additive manufacturing technology and can fit into the office of a physician.
Claims
1. A clinical hyperbaric oxygen chamber, comprising: a sealable chamber sized and shaped to accommodate a seated body of a subject, wherein the subject is seated in an upright position within the sealable chamber; and a monitoring unit control panel which displays an oxygen supply regulator, a plurality of pressure gauges, an oxygen flow meter, an emergency shut-off switch, and a use counter, wherein the monitoring unit control panel includes a communication device used between a hyperbaric technician operating the device and the subject seated within the sealable chamber; wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is configured to fit inside a standard physician's office.
2. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, wherein the sealable chamber is sealed by an overhead door.
3. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is constructed using carbon fibers, Kevlar, or other plastic or metal materials utilizing additive manufacturing.
4. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, wherein the sealable chamber is configured to hold one adult or an adult with a pediatric patient.
5. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, further comprising at least one pressure sensor within the sealable chamber, that at least one pressure sensor communicating with the control panel to allow the monitoring unit to determine one or more pressure conditions within the sealable chamber.
6. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, wherein a length of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is less than 6 feet and a width of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is less than 4 feet.
7. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, wherein the length of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is configured to fit inside an elevator.
8. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber meets the criteria of the FDA standards.
9. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber of a rigid construction.
10. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is configured to maintain an internal pressure of greater than 1 atmosphere and less than or equal to 6 atmosphere.
11. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is configured to maintain an atmosphere having more than 21% oxygen.
12. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is configured to deliver one hundred percent gaseous oxygen.
13. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, further comprises an independent pressure time recorder and a pressure control circuit coupled to the monitoring unit control panel.
14. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, further comprises at least one or more controls to have the device function with a medical standard monitoring system to monitor or supervise the functioning of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
15. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, wherein the sealable chamber is configured to accommodate the subject having a height up to seven feet and a weight up to one hundred and eight kilograms.
16. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 1, further comprises a biometric access system configured to verify identities of the hyperbaric technician and the subject.
17. A hyperbaric oxygen chamber, comprising: a sealable chamber sized and shaped to accommodate a seated body of a subject, wherein the subject is seated in an upright position within the sealable chamber; and a monitoring unit comprising an oxygen supply regulator, a plurality of pressure gauges, an oxygen flow meter, an emergency shut-off switch and a use counter; wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is at least partially manufactured using additive manufacturing technology.
18. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 17, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is constructed using carbon fibers, Kevlar, or other plastic or metal materials utilizing additive manufacturing.
19. A hyperbaric oxygen chamber, comprising: a sealable chamber sized and shaped to accommodate a seated body of a subject, wherein the subject is seated in an upright position within the sealable chamber; and a monitoring unit comprising an oxygen supply regulator, a plurality of pressure gauges, an oxygen flow meter, an emergency shut-off switch and a use counter; wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is configured to fit inside a standard physician's office.
20. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber of claim 19, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is configured to maintain an internal pressure of greater than 1 atmosphere and less than or equal to 6 atmospheres.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021]
[0022]
[0023]
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] As shown in
[0026] Utilization of this new, Additive Manufacturing technology surpasses all previously constructed hyperbaric oxygen chambers 1010 (
[0027] Existing hyperbaric oxygen chamber, even ones for single person use, may be too big for a traditional physician's office, which is typically 10 feet by 10 feet, or 10 feet by 12 feet. This means that, a patient must visit a medical facility (that may not be in the same vicinity as the physician's office) when receiving hyperbaric oxygen treatments. As such, a patient who arrives at the physician's office for consultation must travel to a different location to receive the hyperbaric oxygen treatments prescribed by the physician. Further, many remote locations (e.g., physician's offices in rural areas) may not have a medical facility that can support a traditional hyperbaric oxygen chamber. As a result, patients in the remote locations may be required to travel a long distance to receive hyperbaric oxygen treatments.
[0028] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be constructed using additive manufacturing technology. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be sufficiently small to fit into an office of a physician or a standard examination room, for example. In some instances, the medical device (e.g., hyperbaric oxygen chamber) may be designed to fit into a standard physical treatment room. Currently, standard physician's offices and/or examination rooms have dimensions that are approximately 10 feet by 10 feet, or 10 feet by 12 feet. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber constructed according to aspects of the present disclosure may be smaller in dimension. In one aspect, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be 8 feet by 6 feet. Other sizes are also possible.
[0029] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be configured to fit inside a regularly-sized physician's office while conforming to the Americans with Disability Act standards and Fire regulations that require 3 feet of walk space at the lower section of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber and 3 feet of space at the upper section of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. As such, an implementation of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be smaller than 7 feet by 7 feet, for example 6 feet by 4 feet or smaller. Such hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be configured to be transported by an elevator (e.g., a passenger elevator) without the need of a freight elevator.
[0030] Example materials for constructing the hyperbaric oxygen chamber via additive manufacturing may include Kevlar, carbon fiber, stainless steel, or other suitable materials. Various synthetic materials (e.g., plastics) and/or metals may also be used. In some aspects of the present disclosure, a portion of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be constructed using additive manufacturing while other portions may be constructed using various methods (e.g., mold cast). In other aspects of the present disclosure, the entire hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be constructed using additive manufacturing.
[0031] In an aspect, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber in the current application may be referred to as a clinical hyperbaric oxygen chamber configured to maintain an internal pressure of greater than 1 atmosphere and less than or equal to 6 atmospheres. A patient sitting in the clinical hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be seated upright or in a Fowler's lying position. Example materials for the chamber may include metal, glass, acrylic, plastic, etc. The chamber may optionally include heat exchangers to maintain the temperature of the gases entering the chamber for patient comfort and/or avoid hypothermia or hyperthermia. The chamber may optionally include devices for humidification.
[0032] The clinical hyperbaric oxygen chamber may include invasive and/or non-invasive monitoring devices, such as devices for monitoring blood pressure, electrocardiography, blood flow, body temperature, tidal volume, gas contents, etc.
[0033] Referring to
[0034] This hyperbaric oxygen chamber 1010 utilizes a control panel with the functions as listed in
[0035] There are no other multiple biometric scan access systems designed into or coordinating with hyperbaric oxygen chambers at this time. We are solving the previous limitations that exist with unapproved personnel operating a hyperbaric oxygen chamber as well as in cases where the incorrect patient may have been treated with an incorrect protocol. The security of having only the assigned and approved/certified hyperbaric personnel being able to start and operate the medical device as well as having the certainty of the correct patient being treated, adds to the safety and validity of the therapy sessions.
[0036] This hyperbaric oxygen chamber 1010 has a seat 1040 designed as shown in
[0037] Other hyperbaric oxygen chambers are horizontal where patients are lying down on a gurney and are very restrictive, frequently causing emotional distress and claustrophobia. Patients then become non-compliant to their physician's original orders for the number of prescribed treatments, and become non-compliant and elect to avoid the medical plan of care and not complete their therapy.
[0038] Referring to
[0039] This hyperbaric oxygen chamber as shown in
[0040] Language used in this specification should not be interpreted as a general disavowal of any one specific embodiment or used to limit the claims beyond the meaning of the terms used therein. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purposes of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0041] In the description and claims of the application, each of the words “comprise,” “include” and “have” are forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated.
[0042] It should be noted herein that any feature or component described in association with a specific embodiment may be used and implemented with any other embodiment unless clearly indicated otherwise.
[0043] In this disclosure, “compromises,” “compromising,” “containing” and “having” and the like can have the meaning as basic or novel characteristics of that which is recited is not changed by the presence of more than that which is recited but excludes prior art embodiments.
[0044] In a particular embodiment of the invention, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber is adapted to function as a medical apparatus to treat a patient from various wounds or to heal various other maladies approved by the FDA. This hyperbaric oxygen chamber includes a unique sealable chamber similar in design to an overhead cabin door 1060 as shown in
[0045] The separate chamber control panel, which is located in the same room as the hyperbaric oxygen chamber 1010, is monitored by the medical personnel. When the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is being utilized, the items as depicted in
[0046] The Nitrogen scrubber 1030 is attached to the discharge duct 1035 of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy device as shown in
[0047] The present invention is directed towards multiple embodiments. The following disclosure is provided to enable a person having the required hyperbaric training and certification to administer the oxygen treatments to a patient. Language used in this specification should not be interpreted as a general disavowal of any one specific embodiment or used to limit the claims beyond the meaning of the terms used therein. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purposes of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0048] In the description and claims of the application, each of the words “comprise” “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated.
[0049] It should be noted herein that any feature or component described in association with a specific embodiment may be used and implemented with any other embodiment unless clearly indicated otherwise.
[0050] In this disclosure, “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing” and “having” and the like can have the meaning as basic or novel characteristics of that which is recited is not changed by the presence of more than that which is recited but excludes prior art embodiments.
[0051] In a particular embodiment of the invention, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber 1010 is adapted to function as a medical apparatus in order to treat a subject suffering from any approved condition indicated by the FDA, governing body.
[0052] The hyperbaric oxygen chamber 1010 is designed and erected in such a way that only one subject can be allowed to sit in an upright seated position, unless in the situation where a parent is seated with a child for emotional security and safety during the hyperbaric treatment. This positioning allows the subject to inhale maximum usage of oxygen in a predefined amount of time. The ergonomics of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber 1010 allows for the comfortable seating for patients so that they do not experience any sort of discomfort during the treatment.
[0053] Additionally, it is pertinent to note that the Hyperbaric oxygen chamber is designed to function with patients of varying height and weight, wherein the height could range up to seven feet and weight of around one hundred and eighty kilograms. Pediatric patients can be accompanied by an adult while being seated in the pull-out apparatus of the patient chair. The seated cushion is made of medical grade rubber or foam.
[0054] In an embodiment only one hundred percent of oxygen in pure gaseous form is used. The pure gaseous form of oxygen is used to pressurize a vessel in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
[0055] It is pertinent to note that in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, the oxygen is not in liquid form.
[0056] In another embodiment, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is constructed using additive manufacturing products and methods. One of the additive manufacturing methods used could be 3D/4D printing technology.
[0057] Additive manufacturing primarily known as 3D printing is used in industrial production to enable the creation of lighter, stronger parts and systems.
[0058] Herein, additive manufacturing uses data computer-aided design (CAD) software 3D/4D or other forms of additive manufacturing formats. This technology utilizes scanners to direct hardware to deposit material, layer upon layer, in precise geometric shapes. Typically, additive manufacturing adds material to create an object.
[0059] In an embodiment, the Hyperbaric oxygen chamber is made up of either plastic components or metal components or a combination of both based specifically on the additive manufacturing technology. These plastic components and metal components or other materials used in additive manufacturing are designed to be utilized in a specific format designed for additive manufacturing that conform to the safety and functionality standards for the pressure vessel medical industry.
[0060] It is pertinent to note that in reference to the embodiment, that only certain intravenous lines and ventilation ducts can be used to penetrate through a hull of the pressure vessel, since the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is fully designed to provide oxygen therapy to utilize a specific pressure profile for the patient.
Functioning of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber
[0061] The hyperbaric oxygen chamber includes basic controls to monitor and supervise the functioning of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
[0062] The hyperbaric oxygen chamber comprises a series of manual gas valves that allow a trained operator to control input pressure ventilation and exhaust.
[0063] Further, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber requires one hundred percent oxygen in order to maintain a desired pressure while simultaneously adapted to provide adequate ventilation and control the mixture of carbon dioxide, water vapor and patient cooling gases.
[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber provides two hundred-five hundred liters of one hundred percentage oxygen per minute to the pressure vessel.
[0065] In another preferred embodiment, a nitrogen scrubber 1030 is connected to a discharge air duct of a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that converts the oxygen being expelled through the air duct to one hundred percent nitrogen into the ambient air atmosphere.
[0066] The nitrogen scrubber 1030 is primarily used to control gaseous emissions.
[0067] Additionally, a complete control and monitoring system (see
[0068] The hyperbaric oxygen chamber utilizes an independent pressure time recorder and a precise pressure control. The functionality could also be performed through flow control check valves supplied with static preference or set pressures.
[0069] In an embodiment, standard ventilation circuits, flow controllers, valve types and sizes, volume gas compositions and pressures, then those disclosed herein, may be employed and that unique features provided by the design, technology are not limited in their expression to the embodiment thereof. It should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of this invention.
[0070] In an embodiment, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is used to treat; Air or Gas Embolism, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Exceptional Blood Loss, Intracranial Abscess, Gas Gangrene, Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome, other Acute Traumatic Ischernia's, Decompression Sickness, Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections, Osteomyelitis (Refractory), Delayed Radiation Injury (Soft Tissue and Bone Necrosis), Skin Grafts and Flaps, (Compromised), Thermal Burns, Actinomycosis, Cyanide Poisoning, Delayed Radiation Injury, (Soft tissue and bony necrosis).
[0071] The hyperbaric oxygen chamber provides oxygen therapy to diminish the size of the bubbles, not simply through pressure, but also by using an oxygen gradient.
[0072] In an embodiment, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber can be of rigid or flexible construction along with a means of delivery of one hundred percent gaseous oxygen. The operation is performed to a predetermined schedule by trained personnel who monitor the patient and may adjust the schedule as required.
[0073] In an exemplary embodiment, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber 1010 is a rigid shelled pressure vessel.
EXAMPLE IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0074] Aspects of the present disclosure include a hyperbaric oxygen chamber having a sealable chamber sized and shaped to accommodate a seated whole body of a subject, wherein the subject is seated in an upright position within the sealable chamber and a monitoring unit control panel which displays an oxygen supply regulator, a plurality of pressure gauges, an oxygen flow meter, an emergency shut-off switch, and a use counter, wherein the monitoring unit control panel includes a communication device used between a hyperbaric technician operating the device and the subject seated within the sealable chamber, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is constructed using additive manufacturing and configured to fit inside a regularly-sized physician's office.
[0075] Aspects of the present disclosure include the hyperbaric oxygen chamber above, wherein the sealable chamber may be sealed by an overhead door.
[0076] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be constructed using carbon fibers, Kevlar, or other plastic or metal materials utilizing additive manufacturing.
[0077] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein the sealable chamber may be configured to hold one adult or one adult and a pediatric patient.
[0078] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, further comprising at least one pressure sensor within the sealable chamber, the at least one pressure sensor communicating with the control panel to allow the monitoring unit to determine one or more pressure conditions within the sealable chamber.
[0079] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein a length of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be less than 10 feet and a width of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be less than 10 feet.
[0080] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein the length of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be less than 8 feet and the width of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be less than 6 feet.
[0081] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein the length of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be less than 6 feet and the width of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be less than 4 feet.
[0082] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is configured to fit inside an elevator.
[0083] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber meets the criteria of the FDA standards.
[0084] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be of a rigid construction.
[0085] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be configured to maintain an internal pressure of greater than 1 atmosphere and less than or equal to 6 atmospheres.
[0086] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be configured to maintain an atmosphere having more than 21% oxygen.
[0087] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein the hyperbaric oxygen chamber may be configured to deliver one hundred percent gaseous oxygen.
[0088] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, further comprising an independent pressure time recorder and a pressure control circuit coupled to the monitoring unit control panel.
[0089] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, further comprising at least one or more controls to have the device function with a medical standard monitoring system to monitor or supervise the functioning of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
[0090] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, wherein the sealable chamber may be configured to accommodate the subject having a height up to seven feet and a weight up to one hundred and eight kilograms.
[0091] Aspects of the present disclosure include any of the hyperbaric oxygen chambers above, further comprising a biometric access system configured to verify identities of the hyperbaric technician and the subject.
[0092] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications.