Submerged Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Module Using Pressurized Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) faces limitations including the risk of fire and explosion due to compressed oxygen-enriched air, high pneumatic consumption costs, and difficulty in sterilizing and evacuating gas from chambers.
Innovation Solution
A submerged hyperbaric oxygen therapy module that uses pressurized water instead of gas, with a system for delivering breathing air to patients while maintaining a gas-free environment, utilizing a pump or column of standing water to achieve treatment pressures between 1.5 atm and 4 atm, and incorporating steam sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressed oxygen-enriched air is used in traditional HBOT chambers, then hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be delivered to patients, but the risk of fire and explosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gas-based pressurization with a water-based hydraulic system. A water column or pump delivers pressurized water to the chamber, eliminating compressed oxygen-enriched air and thereby removing the fire and explosion hazard while maintaining the ability to deliver hyperbaric oxygen therapy through breathing apparatus connected to the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert water environment instead of using oxygen-enriched air. Water acts as an inert medium that eliminates the combustion risk associated with high-concentration oxygen gases, while still allowing patients to receive oxygen therapy through sealed breathing interfaces that prevent water inhalation.
2Reliability
If traditional gas-filled HBOT chambers are used, then patients can receive oxygen therapy, but pneumatic consumption costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes hydraulic pressurization for pneumatic compression. Using water column pressure or electrically-driven pumps eliminates the need for expensive pneumatic compressors and reduces energy consumption, while maintaining effective delivery of hyperbaric oxygen therapy through the water-based system.
3Ease of operation
If gas-filled chambers are used for HBOT, then treatment can be administered, but sterilization and gas evacuation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gas management with water management. Water can be easily sterilized using standard autoclaving or chemical disinfection methods, and evacuation is simplified by opening drain valves. This eliminates the complex gas compression, filtration, and evacuation systems required in traditional HBOT chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the pressurization medium from gas to liquid. This parameter change fundamentally simplifies sterilization (water accepts standard sterilization methods) and evacuation (gravity-driven drainage versus active gas pumping), while maintaining the therapeutic benefits of hyperbaric oxygen delivery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the risk of fire and explosion, lowers pneumatic consumption costs, and facilitates efficient sterilization and evacuation, providing a safer and more cost-effective HBOT treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for pressurizing water to a treatment pressure and delivering the pressurized water into the module
Implementation Method 2
the pressurized water may be pressurized by a column of standing water extending above and fluidly connected to the module
Implementation Method 3
The fluid inlet may be fluidly connected to a source of steam for sterilizing the module
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are modules for performing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (“HBOT”) on a patient submerged in pressurized water where substantially no gas is present in the module. The modules generally have an entry, a fluid inlet for introducing water into the module, first and second fluid outlets positioned substantially at a base and a top of the module respectively, and a utilities inlet and outlet in part for transferring breathing air to and from the patient. The module permits HBOT treatment on a patient submerged in water with no air in the module, thus reducing the risk of fire or explosion. Methods and systems are also contemplated. Disclosed herein are methods of filling a module with water until there is substantially no gas in the module, and providing the patient in the module with treatment air during HBOT treatment.