Inflatable chambers

THEY ARE USELESS FOR CHILDREN!

Soft v. Hard Chambers

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Since 1993, America's fastest growing free-standing hospital quality dispensaries of HBOT at a fraction of hospital cost!!!

Note to patients: The chambers we use are the most technically advanced  in the World and surround the  patient with 100% medical oxygen within 90-seconds of door seal without masks or hoods. No other hospital-grade ASME-PVHO-1 chamber, with FDA 510-K "clearance" can match this  performance or efficiency. You can rely on our expert technicians to control your environment and  you can relax in comfort with concert quality sound and entertainment.

Most sessions in the chamber are more than 90 minutes and may be up to 120 minutes.  Plenty of time to relax, watch a movie, listen to music and relax while your body gently diffuses in up to 25 times more healing oxygen into all tissue and clear fluids.Hospital standard care at a fraction of the cost. All treatment sessions in the chamber are at your prescribing physician's direction,  treatment pressure and timing of treatment ("Tx.") Your MD Knows best.

Note to referring Primary Care Physicians: Our Centers act as a dispensary for your prescription of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Our Center's Medical Director's role  is to assist you or your patient to  overcome problems that may be vexing and temporary but helped by HBOT.  Our Center's goal is to keep your patient in your care as their Primary Physician.

Call toll-free 888.749.5122  for a no obligation tour at the nearest HCI center to you. Meet our qualified staff, or make an appointment with our medical director.  

 Special discounts apply through  ALL of  2010  - YOUR FIRST TREATMENT IS FREE  - All HBOT Tx., including your complimentary first  Tx. must have a physician's Rx

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Inflatable Chambers (aka mild hyperbaric therapy chambers, Soft Chambers) . . .  mHBOT

Hospital  Grade Chambers (AKA  Hard Chambers) . . .  HBOT

We asked one of  our  Science and Advisory Board members, Robert L. Sands, for his opinion on the zippered urethane inflatable chambers, now becoming popular in the United States and elsewhere.  

                                         Robert L. Sands is uniquely qualified to comment on the science relating to the inflatable chambers. For three years Sands administered research and development for the Commonwealth of Australia and his first hyperbaric chamber patent application was lodged in 1983 for an inflatable chamber. Sands abandoned the inflatable concept after expending considerable resources and went on to design and build chambers in the “conventional” manner meeting American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy (“ASME PVHO-1") standards. Simply put, the inflatable chamber could not meet the pressure requirements to treat certain maladies and traumas, particularly those encountered in diving, aviation and bio-warfare response. Sands eventually designed and developed the revolutionary transportable recompression chamber system that is now in fleet-wide use with the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Sands holds the patent for that transportable chamber system. Sands, the Founder of Healing Chambers International, Inc, is a prolific author and travels nationally and internationally lecturing about this medicine. Below is an extract from his forthcoming book "The Incandescent Corridor or the Sunlit Tunnel ? -- a Journey to Health"  Cool Change Press.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Dispelling the Confusion and Controversy  over "Soft" or "Hard" Chambers.

A recent headline appeared in the Autism Research Institute (ARI) newsletter:

"Center for Autism and Related Disorders Study Finds Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Ineffective Treatment for Children with Autism".

The accompanying article reported on a recent randomized trial conducted by respected specialist physicians Dr. Jeffery Bradstreet and Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh. Around the same time, I received this little note from respected autism researcher Kerri Rivera discussing a young patient at her hyperbaric oxygen center in Puerto Vallarta:

"I didn't tell you what happened in our chamber two weeks ago. The parents of a five-year-old nonverbal non-autistic  girl came to see what I could do for her. So...guess what happened?! The child who never spoke a word in her life began speaking in the chamber on her first session! We were all blown away. Thank you for such a great blessing."

Exciting results like what Kerri describes are commonplace at our Healing Chambers International hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) centers. We use HBOT "hard" hospital grade as an adjunct to the many therapies required to normalize patients and consistently achieve favorable outcomes. So, why the discouraging report in the ARI newsletter?

 Main Category: Autism
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 11 Nov 2009 - 2:00 PST

Not All HBOT Chambers Are Created Equal

When we look closely at the study reported in the ARI newsletter, we find that the researchers at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD) only worked with the inflatable low-pressure "mild" chambers which are known in the field as mHBOT. Their report, entitled The Randomized Trial of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Children with Autism, describes HBOT as “consisting of 24% oxygen delivered at 1.3 atmospheres of pressure” and they find it “does not have a significant effect on symptoms of autism."

But—and here’s the important point—the research on soft chambers should not be generalized to the efficacy of hard chambers. True, many clinicians and parents who have purchased these inflatable low-pressure chambers would vigorously dispute this study. Nonetheless, the positive anecdotal reports and scientific data documented in both SPECT and PET scans involve children treated in hospital grade hard chambers where 100% oxygen is administered at a higher pressure.

As you can see, mHBOT and HBOT are not quite the same thing. The pacing of  good outcomes  and the results they produce are as different as a automobile is from a Bell Jet-Ranger helicopter. If you want to take  a journey back to good health, which one gets you there faster?

Much of the reason the less effective mHBOT chamber has even entered the discussion is due to simple economics. Hospital grade chambers capable of delivering the correct pressures of 100% oxygen are expensive, on average costing around $150,000 USD apiece. An inflatable chamber will typically run about $10,000 USD. Coffee table or helicopter? Which do you choose for your child?

Physics do not support the claims of the proponents of mHBOT (inflatable) and Bradstreet may have arrived at an appropriate conclusion in stating that mHBOT is of no use for children with autism. The ARI newsletter headline was accurate also, but a little confusing, since it did not specify the type of hyperbaric oxygen that was used in the trial. The physics indicate that  you will get a higher amount of oxygen and more benefits from just sitting in a room and breathing 100% oxygen through a mask, as shown in the graph and comments on the science  below.

However, to balance the discussion, physiological effects need to be factored in. These are much harder to measure in vivo (inside the body) than to measure with oxygen meters in room air. There is vigorous debate between the proponents of each type of chamber and oxygen percentages. For instance, a Canadian report, known as the "Collete" study, documented that the lower pressures and percentages of oxygen indicated some improvement in young patients. Many responded by attributing these results to a placebo effect. But oxygen is metabolized by the body, which is why any additional percentage will have some impact. To deny this by ascribing any benefits to a placebo is illogical.

Furthermore, recent studies  do present the benefits of 1.3 ATA.  For example,  at HBOT 2010,  Dr. Aran Mukherjee of UDAAN presented a comparison study of 1.3 to 1.5 to 1.75 ATAs (with a control group) and its use for CP.  It clearly showed best results in cognitive and neurological development in the 1.3 ATA group that only received ambient air. Dr. Mukherjee does not manufacturer nor sell hyperbaric chambers, has access to both hard and/or soft chambers and is, by necessity, chamber neutral.

An important source of data for hard chambers with 100% oxygen at 1.5 ata is the Louisiana State University approved pilot study (#7051) of 2008 pioneered by Dr. Richard Neubauer. Here, Neubauer observed significant results for both adult patients and children, which corroborates what Kerri witnessed at the Healing Chambers International Center in Puerto Vallarta. Obviously, more trials need to be conducted with 100% oxygen at 1.5 ata. Currently, the United States Air Force and its administrative umbrella, the Department of Defense, are looking into the effect of this protocol to treat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who suffer many of the same symptoms as autism because, it is believed, the concussive blasts shake loose neuronal wiring and lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Bottom Line: Can HBOT or mHBOT Help?

Oxygen is a cellular nutrient, the cell-food that we cannot see. The cells in your body require oxygen to metabolize the food that we can see into glucose, thus creating energy in the form of electricity and heat. A healthy body  consumes around 1.3 pounds (weight) of oxygen molecules each day  just to maintain itself. So you could say that the body’s oxygen supply system, meaning the blood circulatory system, normally operates at 95% of its maximum capability.

That only leaves a buffer of 5% extra capacity, not much leeway if the body is faced with a situation where it needs more energy to fight off disease or repair broken bones or other trauma. An oxygen deficiency in some part of the body can cause many bad things to happen.

There may be a breakdown of the nervous system. The electrical system that runs that marvelous computer called the brain may be short-circuited, and can create symptoms such as those seen in autism spectrum disorders. By supplementing  oxygen intake, with either mHBOT or HBOT can help the  body to overcome these problems. Neuro-circuits in the brain may reconnect. Bacteria and fungus can be killed. That wonderful immune system in a body often can be jumpstarted, fueled into action by supersaturating it with the extra oxygen of a regular HBOT session.

It is all about science:
In particular, three laws of physics known as the Universal Gas Laws. Boyle’s, Dalton’s and Henry’s laws. Linked at all times together, they become Universal. Alter or tweak any one and the other two adjust to keep pace. Henry’s seems the most prominent in HBOT because “gas becomes soluble according to its partial pressure.” Henry’s law is the explanation of how carbon dioxide melts into a soda, fizzing back into a gas when the bottle or can is popped open. Likewise, oxygen obeys these same gas laws and melts into the liquid human body when there is an increase in its partial pressure or density. The additional dissolved oxygen acts as an energy catapult and vigorously increases cellular oxidative metabolism, promoting healing and repair. Thus the growing popularity of hyperbaric (high density or dosage) oxygen therapy, or “HBOT.”

There are two ways to dissolve additional oxygen into the body. One is tinkering with the percentages of oxygen in the air we breathe. The other is to put the patient in a pressure chamber and increase the amount of molecules of oxygen or density.

Tinkering with oxygen percentage:
The air we breathe is approximately 80% nitrogen with the balance oxygen – about 20%. According to Dalton’s Law, we can increase partial pressures (density) of oxygen by altering the percentage of oxygen in the air we breathe. Paramedics carry oxygen all of the time to do just that. By giving a casualty 90% oxygen Dalton’s law dramatically kicks up the density (partial pressure) or the amount of oxygen molecules in each lungful and Henry’s Law keeps pace. The extra oxygen gaseous molecules dissolves and the dense oxygen, now chemical molecules, flood into plasma and clear fluids, easing the burden on the heart. The Universal Gas Laws working, saving many lives each day.

A paramedic’s sophisticated oxygen set-up to get this extra oxygen into the body is not the only way. Here are some low cost alternatives . . .

Nasal prongs increase oxygen partial pressure from normal air 20% to 36%
Hudson masks increase oxygen partial pressure from normal air 20% to 50%


Tinkering with pressure plus oxygen percentage:
To supersaturate the body, you do need a pressure vessel, commonly known as HBOT chambers. This extra pressure (Boyles’s Law) dramatically alters Dalton’s and Henry’s Law.
In Hospital quality HBOT chambers all patients breathe100% medical grade oxygen. All of these chambers reach pressures of 15 psig at minimum, some of these chambers can reach pressures of 100 psig. The Universal Gas Laws produce healing miracles in chambers that have 100% oxygen and correct pressure (or oxygen density) capability. Remember, pressure equals density and this equals the dose. Different illnesses require different treatment pressures. The "one size fits all" just is not so in a hyperbaric chamber because there is a distinct drug-dose response by the patient. Just as with prescription drugs, it is the physician who makes the dosage decision, the technicians operating the chambers merely dispense the high dosage oxygen according to orders.

To illustrate this, a couple of examples are appropriate. In such a hospital HBOT chamber, gas-gangrene is treated at 29 psig (3 ATA) of 100% oxygen. This provides the patient almost 16 times the partial pressure of oxygen of breathing room air at sea-level Diabetic ulcers respond to 19 psig (2.3 ATA) and heal quickly. Lyme disease and chronic fatigue syndrome patients need the same pressures to achieve a positive result. The inflatable  fails to deliver both the required treatment pressure and oxygen percentages for these health problems.

The inflatable is pressurized to a mere 4 pounds per square inch (“psig.”) By adding 4 psig air pressure, the oxygen density (partial pressure) jump from 20% to 26%.

About the inflatable chamber:
Identical partial pressures of oxygen occur if you spend an hour at the bottom of a 9 foot deep swimming pool, breathing from a SCUBA tank and the physiological changes to the human body are  virtually the same!

As an FDA Class II medical device, whether the bag is full of air or oxygen, a licensed physician or dental surgeons’ prescription is mandatory for any use. While many chiropractors and other health practitioners have great skills, the law is the law. Despite their skills, they cannot write that prescription.  You must have a prescription from a physician (M.D. or D.O.) or a dental surgeon (D.D.S.) to purchase an inflatable chamber.  Referring to the air filled chamber as “mild” hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT) does not erase FDA rulings. Chiropractors (D.C.)  naturopathic doctors (N.D.) or any other practitioners are breaking the law if they prescribe mild hyperbarics and face arrest by their local district attorney. Unfortunately, so too are any well-meaning caregivers that allow others to use their personal inflatable chambers.
 

Code compliance – the local fire department:
In addition to the FDA rules, the local fire marshal will insist that any clinic that uses  hyperbaric chambers comply National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 99-11 codes with fire walls and certified fire doors, sprinklers and other code compliance.

Eleven States and three U.S. cities are now enforcing the PVHO-1 codes and  scrutinizing  health care practitioners who advertise for patients.

This entire web-site’s content is copyrighted –  All rights reserved by Hyperbaric O2 Centers, Inc. 2007.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is routinely used internationally as an ADJUNCTIVE  TREATMENT or COMPLIMENTARY ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL (CAM) medical response to the following ailments and trauma:. Lymes Disease, Complimentary alternative medicine, Chronic illness, stroke, autism, pain, chronic pain, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy may help cure , control or stabilize problems associated with . . . Stroke, Crush Injury, Macular Degeneration Vascular Dementia, Autism, Thermal Burns, Laser Skin Resurfacing, Chronic Fatigue, Surgical Trauma, Swelling, Inflammation, Edema, Vascular Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Fast Plastic Surgery Healing, Silicon Poisoning, Severe Anemia, Bone Disease, Healing Bones, Osteoporosis, Migraines, Epilepsy, Pediatric Seizure Disorders, Gulf War Syndrome, Lyme Disease, Diabetic Wounds, Diabetic Maintenance, Infectious Disease, Complimentary Alternative Medicine, Rapid Sports Healing, Toxic Mold Infections, Head Injuries, Spinal Injuries, Breast Surgery, Tummy Tuck Surgery, Chronic Ill Health, Chemical Sensitivity, Smoke Inhalation, Delayed Smoke Poisoning, Chronic Back Pain, Chronic joint inflammation, Off-Label Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen by Physicians, Renauds, Disease, Near Drowning, Asphyxia, Heavy Metal Poisoning, Industrial Poisoning, Cerebral Edema, non-specific lung problems, Obstructive Jaundice, Liver Disease, Heart Problems, Facial Actinomycosis, General Surgey Infections, Problem Wounds, Malignant Neoplasms, Sking Grafta Spinal Cord Neuropathy, Management of Problems of Aging, Bells Palsy, Post-Operative Brain Tumor, Myelitis, Post-Operative Cosmetic Surgery, Acoustic Deafness, Optic Atrophy Periodontal Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Chron’s Disease, Shingles, Hepatic Problems. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cerebral Palsy, Shingles, Peptic Ulcer.

This page was last updated on 02/11/12.