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Subject: Re: CS>OT: HOME-BUILT HYPERBARIC CHAMBER (#620-8/00)
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 20:08:22 -0800
From: BROOKS BRADLEY <[email protected]>
Organization: HARBORNE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
To: [email protected]
References: <[email protected]>
I have received, off-line, a number of inquiries about
our progress in evaluating low-cost hyperbaric-type methodologies. In
the
interest of economies of my time, I have chosen to post here, one of the
most recent individual responses. Hopefully, this will serve to reduce
my email traffic....while, simultaneously, being of some value to
interested list members.
Hello,
Please forgive my tardy response, but I have been rather busy
of late.
We have been continuing our evaluations/construction of two, different,
hyperbaric type devices. One is a slight variation of a conventional
"altitude compensation" chamber; the other is one of our own
design.....which is constructed of 1/2" X 1" welded wire *(14 guage,
zinc plated) mesh. It is of the veritcal-cage type construction, being
46" in diameter, with an attached crown with a 6" curvature.
We have a small (20" X 36") access door (hinged) in the front side. The
entire inside is lined with a double-ply of 6 mil. polyethylene film.
We employ a simple, but rather ingenious method of interior overlapping
which keeps the lining properly sealed, but allows unobstructed entry
and egress. The entire structure is placed upon a 45" X 2" (thickness)
closed-cell styrofoam pad---held in place by over-center latches
anchored to a 3/4" thick marine plywood base.
The structure has performed quite satisfactorily during
our evaluation tests. Our principal problem was in finding the proper
continuously-relieving escape valve for the chamber proper. We
evaluated several off-the-shelf, and custom made commercial valves. All
worked to some degree, but we are, at present, testing a method whicn
uses only a couple of variable-diameter holes fashioned in the outer
fabric and reinforced against tearing. This latter approach is by far
the most economical. However, the downside is that the pressurizing
air-supply compressor system is required to supply much greater
quantities of air....to keep the bag properly inflated (at about 2
atmospheres) and to evacuate the C02 sufficiently.
Do remember this system uses either a conventional
oxygen-mask, or our "Home-Made" nebulizer system for supplying the
oxygen component......and a conventional air compressor (with low
cut-off limits) as the pressurizing source for the contained
atmosphere. The great advantage here is there is no combustible
atmosphere present---- as there would be if pure--or high-percentage
(85%+) 02
was used as the pressurizing medium-----not to mentioned the MUCH higher
cost.
It will, probably, be another Two months before our
principal investigator will have completed this evaluation. I will, at
that time, post a general summary of the results, together with a
useable set of construction details for those interested in trying it
for themselves.
At present, it looks as if the entire system can be
constructed (less the air compressor) for around $150.00 (if the
nebulizer is used as the Oxygen distributor).
Our modified Altitude Chamber works
splendidly----however is costs about $1100.00 U.S.
I hope you find this information of value.
Sincerely, Brooks Bradley.
[email protected] wrote:
> Have been hearing more and more about hyperbaric medicine, that the
> average single treatment is $1,000 and applaud your efforts towards
> economy. What is the current situation with the chambers?
> Thanks.
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