US 2007/0181128 A1 · Altitude simulation module II

Abstract

Altitude simulation breathing systems create at near sea level, oxygen partial pressure equivalents to a desired “simulated” above ground level altitude by gas mixing and induce low oxygen content (hypoxia) in a subject through the identical physiologic mechanisms as high altitude. At the heart of all prior art is the oxygen sensor; all decisions about gas mixing are based on a direct measurement of oxygen concentration. These sensors respond slowly requiring them to be used with a reservoir; a volume of gas maintained at a given oxygen concentration. The current invention uses flow based technology and eliminates reservoir associated shortcomings. Central to the function of the current invention is the ratiometric addition in real time of nitrogen to inspired room air which is unpressurized, uncontrolled, and inspired normally. In short, we present new technology to this field not based on oxygen concentration that offers significant improvements in safety, reduced mechanical complexity, and size.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An altitude simulating breathing device which operates via the following equation (equation 1)

P
I
⁢
O
2
⁢
(
T
)
=
V
•
⁢
air
×
0.209
(
V
•
⁢
air
+
V
•
⁢
N
2
)
×
P
b
Where:
P1=partial pressure of an inspired gas in millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
O2=oxygen
T=time
N2=nitrogen
{dot over (V)}=flow in liters per minute
Pb=barometric pressure in mmHg
and comprising:
a. A flow sensor #1 with a temporal response of at least 20 hertz to measure the flow of inspired air in a subject, said flow sensor in fluid communication with room air on one end and said subject on the opposite end.
b. A source of pressurized gaseous nitrogen c. A proportional valve to deliver said nitrogen, said valve having a temporal response better than 20 Hz and one end of said valve being in fluid communication with said nitrogen source.
d. A flow sensor #2 with a temporal response of at least 20 hertz with one end in fluid communication with the gas output of said nitrogen valve and the opposing end of said flow sensor #2 in fluid communication with subject end of said air flow sensor #1.
e. A computer being connected to said flow sensors and said nitrogen valve and which accomplishes said equation at the rate of at least 5 Hz.

40 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Altitude simulation module II

Life of this patent

Altitude simulation module II

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17