Patent Application
20210353485
This disclosure relates to high pressure chambers for medicine and scientific research.
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy has gained much interest in clinical settings for a number of ailments, but it has become an especially important asset in the medical armamentarium for its use in expediting wound recovery. HBO has been approved for such conditions due to infection such as clostridial myonecrosis (or gas gangrene), necrotizing soft tissue infections, Fournier's gangrene, and osteomyelitis and such off-label indications as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). It is also currently under investigation for its capacity to improve outcomes associated with senility, stroke, multiple sclerosis, high altitude illness, myocardial infarction, brain injuries, migraine, glaucoma, head injuries, management of chronic fatigue in HIV patients, and enhancement of survival in free flaps.
HBO, as a specialized medical service, is not readily available. Accordingly, there is little research done on how HBO may affect various ailments. On a smaller scale, there is a dearth of research on the effects of HBO on biological samples at high pressure >3 atm. One of the most pressing limitations is the hardware needed for such research. A simple containment vessel that can be pressurized in a research environment does not exist. Thus, the research necessary to advance and direct HBO therapy is limited. There is a need in the art for an inexpensive hyperbaric chamber that may be used on small scale scientific research.
A general aspect of the disclosed invention is a hyperbaric chamber. The hyperbaric chamber includes a chamber that is configured to seal a volume of air. The chamber includes one or more ports that are configured to connect to an air supply and one or more platforms inside the chamber. The chamber includes one or more sensors that monitor an environment inside the chamber. The tank may be configured to seal a pressure of up to about 60 pounds per square inch. The hyperbaric chamber may further include one or more window ports. The hyperbaric chamber may further include a regulator that maintains a pressure inside the chamber where the one or more sensors comprise a pressure sensor for gas inside the chamber. The hyperbaric chamber may further include a control that is accessible from an individual outside the chamber. The control may transmit a signal to activate one or more components inside the chamber. The chamber may include a stainless steel material. The chamber may further include a cylinder. The chamber may have a length of between about 26 to 32 inches. The length of the cylinder may be about 29 inches. The cylinder may have a diameter of between about 7 to 11 inches. The cylinder may have a diameter of about 9 inches. The hyperbaric chamber may further include a lighting source inside the chamber. The lighting source may be a light emitting diode (“LED”). The hyperbaric chamber may further include a battery that supplies power to the LED. The one or more sensors may include a thermometer where the thermometer is configured to wirelessly transmit a temperature value.
An exemplary embodiment is a method. The method includes placing a biological sample inside a hyperbaric chamber and pressurizing the hyperbaric chamber with a gas. The hyperbaric chamber includes a stainless steel chamber and one or more sensors inside the stainless steel chamber. The hyperbaric chamber includes one or more platforms inside the stainless steel chamber. The gas may be 100% oxygen. The method may further include setting a target pressure of the hyperbaric chamber where the pressurizing includes adjusting a pressure of gas inside the hyperbaric chamber to meet the target pressure. The setting may include inputting one or more gas pressures and inputting a time to set each of the one or more gas pressures.
Another general aspect is a hyperbaric chamber. The hyperbaric chamber includes a chamber that is configured to seal a volume of air at a pressure of up to about 60 pounds per square inch. The chamber includes one or more ports that are configured to connect to an air supply and one or more platforms inside the chamber. The chamber includes one or more sensors that monitor an environment inside the chamber and one or more window ports and a regulator that maintains a pressure inside the chamber. The chamber includes a control that is accessible from an individual outside the chamber where the one or more sensors comprise a pressure sensor for gas inside the chamber and where the control transmits a signal to activate one or more components inside the chamber.
The disclosed subject matter provides a palpable research option for determining the effects of hyperbaric gas therapies alone or in combination with standard therapy treatments for viral and bacterial infections, in addition to hypoxia and related inflammatory diseases. The specifications for this invention include a chamber that is capable of achieving a high-pressure environment in order to study the effects of varied, high pressure gas systems (oxygen and air) on the growth of infectious bacteria. In embodiments, various internal chamber modifications may allow this invention to be used to study any gas applications as a treatment option for in vivo, in vitro, and small animal research models.
The disclosed hyperbaric chamber is a sealable chamber that may be pressurized to at least 60 pounds per square inch (psi). Inside the sealable chamber are adjustable platforms, upon which, research of various forms may be performed. For example, testing the effects of high pressure on single celled organisms may be performed by placing containers of the single celled organisms on platforms in the sealable container and pressurizing the sealable container. One or more sensors may be installed to measure conditions inside the hyperbaric chamber. The one or more sensors may also take measurements of the samples that are placed inside the hyperbaric chamber.
Referring to
The hyperbaric chamber 105 may be pressurized to various pressures, depending on the needs and purposes of the user. For example, samples containing bacteria may be placed inside the hyperbaric chamber 105 before the hyperbaric chamber is pressurized with oxygen to various pressures to determine an effect of oxygen pressure on the bacteria. The hyperbaric chamber 105 may contain one or more doors 140 that allow the user to access the inside of the hyperbaric chamber 105. The door 140 may be reinforced to withstand high pressure inside the hyperbaric chamber 105 and remain closed. Various reinforcements that may seal the door 140 against the pressurized hyperbaric chamber include, but are not limited to latches, bars, and bolts.
Inside the hyperbaric chamber 105 may be one or more platforms whereby samples may be placed. The one or more platforms may be adjustable to accommodate various research purposes. For example, a platform in the hyperbaric chamber 105 may be adjusted to various positions inside the hyperbaric chamber 105. A position of the platform may be made to accommodate one or more sensors inside the hyperbaric chamber 105. In various embodiments, the one or more sensors may measure various conditions inside the hyperbaric chamber such as, but not limited to, temperature, humidity, light, sound, images, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, measurements for the one or more sensors may be transmitted wirelessly from the hyperbaric chamber 105.
One or more gas supply lines may be connected to the hyperbaric chamber 105. As shown in
Referring to
In an exemplary embodiment, the hyperbaric chamber 200 may have a total height of about 29 inches. A diameter of the cylindrical shape may be about 9 inches. Further, the total height of the hyperbaric chamber 200 may include a rubber portion on the top and bottom ends of the cylindrical shape. In one example, the hyperbaric chamber 200 includes a rubber base of about 3 inches on the bottom end of the hyperbaric chamber 200. Similarly, the hyperbaric chamber 200 may include a rubber handle of about 3 inches on the top of the hyperbaric chamber 200. The center of the hyperbaric chamber 200 may be constructed of a stainless steel material and have a height of about 23 inches. As such, the aggregated height of the 3 inch bottom, 3 inch top, and 23 inch center is 29 inches.
The shape and core dimensions of the hyperbaric chamber allow it to be safely pressurized to at least 60 psi or 4 atmospheres. Although the hyperbaric chamber may comprise a variety of shapes and size, the internal volume of the hyperbaric chamber in the dimensions described herein has is about 18.9 liters (5 gallons) and weighs about 49 pounds. In various embodiments, the hyperbaric chamber 200 has an aggregated height of between about 26 to 32 inches. Also in various embodiments, the hyperbaric chamber has a diameter of between about 7 to 11 inches.
Inside the hyperbaric chamber 200 are at least one adjustable platform 215. The adjustable platform 215 may have its height, width, rotation, and position adjusted within the hyperbaric chamber 200. For example, the platform 215 may be moved to accommodate a multitude of biological samples 210 that are placed on the platform 215. Further, and as shown in
In one instance, petri dishes containing biological material such as bacteria may be placed on the platforms 215. A user may position the platforms by reaching into the hyperbaric chamber 200 through a door 140 of the hyperbaric chamber 200. Likewise, a user may gain access to the various biological samples via the door 140. Once the platforms are positioned and biological samples appropriately assembled and placed, the hyperbaric chamber 200 may be sealed and pressurized according to experimental conditions set by the user. In one example. a user may test an effect that 3 atmospheres pressure of pure oxygen has on the bacteria.
Other types of biological samples may include various single celled organisms or other small biological samples. Examples of other small biological samples may include small plants, fungi, or animal samples, which may be similar placed on platforms within containers. A user may place one or more sensors within the hyperbaric chamber 200 to monitor the samples and conditions within the hyperbaric chamber. For example, a thermometer may be placed within the hyperbaric chamber to monitor a temperature increase due to adiabatic heating or cooling, under which the temperature inside the hyperbaric chamber 200 changes due to a change in pressure.
Referring to
Supports 325 on the ground may prop the hyperbaric chamber 300 to a fixed position in a room. In various embodiments, the hyperbaric chamber 300 may be placed on a movable platform whereby the supports are built into the moveable platform such as a platform that can be raised and lowered. The hyperbaric chamber 300 may include one or more doors 310 that give a user access to the interior of the hyperbaric chamber 300.
In various embodiments, the door 310 may comprise a flange that rotates on a hinge. The rotatable flange may be closed to seal the hyperbaric chamber. Once closed, a multitude of bolts may be tightened to seal the door 310 and allow the hyperbaric chamber to be pressurized. The door 310 may be of various shapes or dimensions that can withstand high pressures inside the hyperbaric chamber 300.
Additionally, the hyperbaric chamber may include one or more windows, which allow a user to observe the interior of the hyperbaric chamber 300. Further, the one or more windows may allow light to penetrate the interior of the hyperbaric chamber 300, which may be a required condition for various experimental setups. As shown in
Referring to
The hyperbaric chamber 400 may comprise one or more ports to which one or more gas lines may be connected to pressurize the hyperbaric chamber 400. The door 410 on the hyperbaric chamber 400, which allows a user to access the interior of the hyperbaric chamber 400, may be built into various positions. For instance, the hyperbaric chamber 300 shown in
Additionally, the door 410 has a square shape and is curved to fit into the side of the cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the door 310 shown in
The door 410 includes two circular shaped windows 415. The windows 415 may allow users to see within the hyperbaric chamber 400. Further, and because the windows 415 are built into the door 410, the user may easily reach the windows 415 to clean them or effectuate repairs on the windows 415. The door 410, may swing open on hinges, as shown in
Referring to
The hyperbaric chamber 500 may include a light source 510 that can illuminate the interior of the hyperbaric chamber 500 with various wavelengths of light. In various experimental setups, a user may test an effect of light on biological samples. In experimental setups that observe live animals within the hyperbaric chamber 500, light may be required depending on the live animals. For instance, in an experimental setup that includes mice, the mice may require lighting for the experiment. In another instance, an effect of light on various single celled organisms under high pressure may be tested by including a light source 510 in the hyperbaric chamber.
The light source 510 and internal platforms 515 may be adjusted and modified in various ways. For example, one or more of the internal platforms 515 may be removed to make space for biological samples, sensors, or other equipment that may be place inside the hyperbaric chamber 500. The placement of the internal platforms 515 may be translated or rotated to various parts of the interior of the hyperbaric chamber 500. The light source 510 may comprise various lighting hardware including but not limited to LEDs. In various experimental setups, the light source may comprise a single color LED to narrow a wavelength range of light emitted.
A user may gain access to the interior shown in
Control and communication with the interior of the hyperbaric chamber 500 while it is in a sealed state may be accomplished in various ways. In an exemplary embodiment, the hyperbaric chamber 500 may include one or more ports which allow electrical power/transmission lines to traverse the wall of the hyperbaric chamber 500. For instance, sensors transmit collected data through a transmission port in the hyperbaric chamber 500. As such, the electrical/transmission port would be capable of transmitting electric power or signals into and out of the hyperbaric chamber 500 while the hyperbaric chamber 500 is sealed and pressurized.
In various embodiments, the control over fixtures and/or sensors in the interior of the hyperbaric chamber 500 may be performed through wireless communication while the hyperbaric chamber 500 is sealed. An advantage of wireless communication may be to allow that walls of the hyperbaric chamber 500 to have a simpler design with fewer ports and fewer points that may leak or break. In one example, a user may activate the light source 510 via a wireless signal that is sent from outside the hyperbaric chamber 500. The light source 510 could receive power from a battery power source that is inside the hyperbaric chamber 500. In another example of use, a user may initiate movement of one or more of the internal platforms 515 via a signal from outside the hyperbaric chamber 500. Among many possible designs for a movable platform, internal platforms 515 may be positioned, at least partly, by movement of linear actuators that are connected to the internal platforms 515. In another possible design, the platforms may be rotated into various angles depending on an experimental setup. For instance, a user may test an effect of light on a biological sample under pressurized conditions by varying an angle by which light from the light source 510 hits the biological sample.
Referring to
The hyperbaric chamber 600 may include a wireless transceiver 625 that can both transmit and receive wireless signals from outside of the hyperbaric chamber 600. The wireless transceiver 625 may be configured to automatically transmit data that is collected from one or more sensors inside the hyperbaric chamber 600. For example, a sensor may comprise a temperature probe 630 that records a temperature reading, such as from air inside the hyperbaric chamber 600, substance, or the biological sample. Measurements of the temperature probe 630 may be automatically transmitted to a user by the wireless transceiver 625. Likewise, various other sensors inside the hyperbaric chamber 600 may transmit measurements to a user that is on the outside. For instance, a camera that is taking images of one or more biological samples, may transmit the camera images to a user outside the hyperbaric chamber 600. Thus, a user may collect various measurements from sensors while the hyperbaric chamber is pressurized.
In addition to collecting sensor data and transmitting the sensor data to a user, the wireless transceiver 625 may receive signals from a user to perform one or more actions. For instance, the wireless transceiver 625 may receive a signal to activate the light source 510 or to modify an output of the light source 510. In another instance, the wireless transceiver 625 may receive a signal to activate or modify a sensor inside the hyperbaric chamber 600. The one or more sensors, such as the temperature probe, may have multiple adjustable settings that may be changed by a signal from a user. In one example, a user may send a signal for a sensor to be turned on. Battery power for the one or more sensors may thus be preserved by the user until the sensor is needed. If the internal platform 610 is connected to a motor that can move or rotate the internal platform 610, the wireless transceiver 625 may be used to send signals to the motor to position the platform 610 while the hyperbaric chamber 600 is sealed and pressurized.
As shown in
In various embodiments, multiple biological samples and/or live animal samples may be placed inside the hyperbaric chamber at once. The one or more sensors may provide observational data on the biological samples and/or live animal samples while a user is on the outside of the hyperbaric chamber 600. The hyperbaric chamber 600 may be configured to automatically modify a pressure based on measurements of the biological samples. For example, the hyperbaric chamber 600 may be configured to adjust a pressure based on a response from a bacteria sample. A camera may record images of a bacteria sample or multiple samples to obtain a crude measure of the health of the bacteria sample. The hyperbaric chamber 600 may modify a pressure inside the hyperbaric chamber 600 based on the measurements of the bacteria samples.
Similarly, the hyperbaric chamber may modify a gas concentration based on measurements of live animals or other biological samples. For example, an interior of the hyperbaric chamber 600 may have an oxygen concentration of 100%. The hyperbaric chamber 600 may be configured to reduce the oxygen concentration at a set rate until a condition is met by the one or more sensors. For example, a condition may be a measurement that cells in a biological sample have an adverse effect. In another example, the hyperbaric chamber 600 may increase an oxygen concentration starting at 20% oxygen until sensors measure a response in one or more biological samples. For instance, sensors may measure an amount of oxygen saturation in tissues. The oxygen concentration of gas inside the hyperbaric chamber 600 may be increased until a condition for oxygen saturation in tissues is met. In another example, a camera records a rate of growth of a bacteria colony by optically measuring a size of the bacteria colony. The oxygen concentration in the hyperbaric chamber 600 may be adjusted to maximize or minimize the rate of growth of the bacteria colony.
Referring to
Further, the inner platforms 730 may efficiently fit inner walls of the hyperbaric chamber 705. When the door 710 is opened, the inner platforms 730 may be configured to smoothly slide in and out of the hyperbaric chamber 705. The flat sides of the inner walls allow for the inner platforms to be configured to make contact with the inner walls around a circumference of the inner platform; which would be challenging with rounded walls.
One or more ports of the hyperbaric chamber 705 may be configured to accept sensors that measure conditions inside the hyperbaric chamber. As shown in
Similar to the barometer 720, a thermometer 725 may be fixed to the hyperbaric chamber such that a portion of the thermometer that takes temperature measurements is exposed to an inside of the hyperbaric chamber 705. A portion of the thermometer from which measurements can be read, is on the outside of the hyperbaric chamber 705. Like the barometer 720, the thermometer 725 may seal the hyperbaric chamber 705 to prevent escape of gas when the hyperbaric chamber 705 is pressurized. Other sensors that are not shown in
The door 710 may be shaped to comprise one side of the hyperbaric chamber 705. In various embodiments, the door 710 may be fixed to the hyperbaric chamber 705 on one or more hinges. The door 710 may be sealed shut by a latch or bolts when the hyperbaric chamber 705 is pressurized. When the door 710 is opened, the one or more inner platforms 730 may be easily adjusted or removed. In various embodiments, a height of the inner platforms 730 may be adjusted by sliding the inner platforms 730 into slots on the inside of the hyperbaric chamber 705.
One or more gas supplies 735 may provide pressurized gas to the hyperbaric chamber 705 through one or more sealed ports 740. In various embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in
Referring to
At step 805, a user may place a biological sample inside a hyperbaric chamber. The biological sample may comprise various samples for in vitro, in vivo, and/or live animal testing. The biological sample may be placed on an adjustable platform inside the hyperbaric chamber. The hyperbaric chamber may include one or more sensors that can take measurements of conditions inside the hyperbaric chamber, including measurements of the biological samples.
At step 810, a user may set a target pressure of the hyperbaric chamber. The user may set the target pressure using a regulator that is configured to release compressed gas into the hyperbaric chamber until the hyperbaric chamber reaches the target pressure. In various embodiments, the regulator may include a timer. The target pressure of the regulator may change based on a program that is responsive to the timer.
At step 815, the user may pressurize the hyperbaric chamber. In various embodiments, the user may release a value that allows the regulator to pressurize the hyperbaric chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, the hyperbaric chamber includes a thermometer and pressure sensor. If the temperature increases with the pressure according to the ideal gas law, the regulator may be configured to slow the process of pressurization to allow the gas inside the hyperbaric chamber to equilibrate with temperature on the outside. Similarly, the hyperbaric chamber may be configured to slow the process of depressurizing to reduce cooling as pressure is reduced inside the hyperbaric chamber.
Many variations may be made to the embodiments described herein. All variations are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. The description of the embodiments herein can be practiced in many ways. Any terminology used herein should not be construed as restricting the features or aspects of the disclosed subject matter. The scope should instead be construed in accordance with the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/101,804 filed May 18, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63101804 | May 2020 | US |
