Simulated Altitude Method and Apparatus

• US 20070221225A1
• Filed: 01/24/2007
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Colorado Altitude Training LLC
• Original Assignee: Colorado Altitude Training LLC
• Inventors: Scharf, Bennett, Reid, William, Caruso, Frank, Damian, Tom, Ogden, Doug, Kutt, Larry, Wallace, Shaun
• Application Number:
  US11/626,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20070221225A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.260
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 10/023 Rooms for the treatment of patients at over- or under-pressure or at a variable pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0045 Means for re-breathing exhaled gases, e.g. for hyperventilation treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/17 with redundant control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2213/006 under hypoxy conditions, i.e. oxygen supply subnormal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/18 for improving respiratory function

Abstract

An altitude simulation system is disclosed for simulating an altitude within an enclosure or mask, wherein various improvements are provided, including: (a) a more effective use hypoxpic air generated by the system via recirculating techniques and improvements in air leakage, (b) improvements in determining when a simulated altitude is reached, (c) improvements in controlling hypoxic air generators so that peak electrical power loads are reduced and there are enhanced failsafe features for protecting the health of users, (d) using a pulse oximetry device for measuring oxygen saturation in a user'"'"'s blood to thereby vary the oxygen content in the air provided to the user.

Claims

1. An air intake module for providing air to one or more hypoxic air generators, comprising:

a housing for enclosing an air passageway, wherein the passageway supplies input air to one or more hypoxic air generators that provide hypoxic air to an enclosure;

a re-circulated air intake for providing air from the enclosure to the passageway;

a fresh air intake for providing, to the passageway, air from a source exterior to the enclosure;

an air shut-off that is movable between at least;

(1) a first position for allowing air from the fresh air intake to enter the passageway, and preventing air from the re-circulated air intake to enter the passageway, and (2) a second position for allowing air from the re-circulated air intake e to enter the passageway, and preventing air from the fresh air intake to enter the passageway;

an actuator for moving the air shut-off between the first position and the second position, wherein the actuator receives control information from a controller for controlling the oxygen content of the enclosure, wherein for a first range in oxygen content within the enclosure the controller outputs first control information to the actuator for providing the shut-off in the first position, and for a second range in oxygen content within the enclosure the controller outputs second control information to the actuator for providing the shut-off in the second position.

2. A hypoxic air delivery system and controller for use with patients who suffer from hypoplastic left heart syndrome comprising an oxygen concentrator, or air separation unit, a controller.

3. A hypoxic air delivery system and controller for use with patients who benefit from hypoxic preconditioning comprising an oxygen concentrator, or air separation unit, a controller.

4. A hypoxic air delivery system to provide rehabilitation to cardiac patients.

5. A means of changing oxygen content of air provided to a user comprising a pulse oximeter or other device that measures blood oxygen levels that sends a signal to a controller that modulates or turns on or off air units, such air units having the ability to provide normoxic air (approximately 21% oxygen), and/or hypoxic air (<

21% oxygen) and/or hyperoxic air (>

21% oxygen). normoxic air.

6. A hypoxic air delivery system and controller, comprising:

one or more hypoxic air generators; and

a corresponding manifold for each of the generators, wherein the corresponding manifold is attached its generator for containing inside the manifold, at least on component of the generator that are external to a housing of the generator, the at least one component used by the generator for generating hypoxic air.

7. A controller for an altitude simulation apparatus, comprising:

dual oxygen sensors;

a carbon dioxide sensor;

a means for delaying the activation of one or more hypoxic air generators, wherein the delaying means;

(a) sequentially delays an activation of each of a plurality of the one or more hypoxic air generators, or (b) prevents re-activation of one of the generators until a predetermined elapsed time has occurred.