Altitude simulation method and system

• US 6,565,624 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2001
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen C. Nevin
• Original Assignee: Colorado Altitude Training LLC
• Inventors: Jellison, Mark, Boatman, Joseph, Kutt, Lawrence M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, DUANE
• Application Number:
  US09/948,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20020035927A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 553/852, 454/187, 95/8, 95/11, 95/12, 95/1, 95/25, 95/26, 961/11, 961/09, 961/15, 961/16, 961/17, 964/17, 128/205.11, 128/202.12, 128/205.12, 128/205.26
• US Class Current: 95/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 10/02 with artificial climate; with means to maintain a desired pressure, e.g. for germ-free rooms dust-free laboratory rooms B01L1/04; decompression arrangements B63C11/32; arrangements or adaptations in aircraft B64D13/00; air-conditioning in general F24F
• 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: A61G 2203/46 for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/053 higher pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2213/005 with respiratory gas delivering means, e.g. 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
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/304 of sodium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/404 of calcium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/604 Hydroxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/102 Nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/50 Air quality properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/70 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/76 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/60 by adding oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 : of CO2

Abstract

A system and method for passive hypoxic training provides a person with a low oxygen (hypoxic) environment. Oxygen sensors automatically monitor and control oxygen levels to maintain the altitude desired. CO₂ levels are monitored and CO₂ is eliminated so that the air a person breathes is substantially clean and fresh. Exposure to a high altitude environment produces physiological changes in a person'"'"'s body, which becomes more efficient at absorbing and transporting oxygen. Using the present method and system, athletes obtain the benefits of sleeping at a simulated altitude in the user'"'"'s own home for six to twelve hours, rather than traditional altitude therapies in which athletes spend two to three weeks at high altitude before an athletic competition to obtain similar benefits. This system allows for “live high train low” altitude training that has been shown in controlled studies to provide superior benefits to “live high train high” training.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing an enclosed environment wherein the enclosed environment is different from an outside ambient environment, comprising:

one or more oxygen concentrators or nitrogen generators for changing a concentration of oxygen in said enclosed environment;

a CO₂ scrubber for reducing a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

an oxygen sensor for sensing a concentration of oxygen in said enclosed environment;

a CO₂ sensor for sensing a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

a controller for;

(i) receiving oxygen concentration input from said oxygen sensor, and for receiving CO₂ concentration input from said CO₂ sensor, and

(ii) outputting activation signals to at least one of;

said oxygen concentrators and said CO₂ scrubber when at least one of said oxygen concentration input and said CO₂ concentration input is outside of a predetermined range;

a predictor for predicting at least one of a concentration of oxygen and a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment, wherein said predictor uses one or more of;

(1) data indicative of a volume of said enclosed environment;

(2) data indicative of a number of persons or animals expected to occupy said enclosed environment;

(3) data indicative of an oxygen removal or supply rate of said oxygen concentrators;

(4) data indicative of a nitrogen addition or supply rate of said nitrogen generators;

(5) data indicative of a rate of oxygen removal in said enclosed environment;

(6) data indicative of a number of said nitrogen generators;

(7) data indicative of a per-person oxygen consumption rate;

(8) data indicative of a per-person carbon dioxide production rate;

(9) data indicative of an initial oxygen concentration in said enclosed environment;

(10) data indicative of a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

(11) data indicative of a CO₂ concentration in the outside ambient environment;

(12) data indicative of a airflow rate through said CO₂ scrubber;

(13) data indicative of an efficiency of said CO₂ scrubber at removing CO₂ from air in said enclosed environment;

(14) data indicative of an air exchange rate in said enclosed environment expected to be provided by a fan; and

(15) data indicative of an air exchange rate through an enclosure having said enclosed environment therein.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a fan capable of bringing in air from the outside environment.

3. An apparatus for providing an enclosed environment for enclosing a space wherein the enclosed environment is different from an outside ambient environment, comprising:

an oxygen concentrator for changing a concentration of oxygen in said enclosed environment;

a CO₂ scrubber for reducing a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

an oxygen sensor for sensing a concentration of oxygen in said enclosed environment;

a CO₂ sensor for sensing a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

a controller for;

(i) receiving oxygen concentration input from said oxygen sensor, and for receiving CO₂ concentration input from said CO₂ sensor,

(ii) outputting activation signals to at least one of;

said oxygen concentrator and said CO₂ scrubber when concentration input is outside of a predetermined range;

a model for predicting one or more of;

a CO₂ concentration in the enclosed environment as a function of time, an altitude in the enclosed environment as a function of time, and a simulated altitude in the enclosed environment as a function of time;

wherein said model receives as input one or more of (a) through (l) following;

(a) data indicative of a volume or concentration or partial pressure of O₂ in the enclosed environment;

(b) data indicative of a volume of O₂ consumed by the occupants in the enclosed environment;

(c) data indicative of a volume of O₂ removed from the enclosed environment by the oxygen concentrator;

(d) data indicative of a volume of O₂ removed from the enclosed environment by an air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(e) data indicative of a volume of O₂ added to the enclosed environment by an air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(f) data indicative of a volume or partial pressure of CO₂ in the enclosed environment;

(g) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ produced by the occupants of the enclosed environment;

(h) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ removed from the enclosed environment by the CO₂ scrubber;

(i) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ removed from the enclosed environment by air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(j) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ added to the enclosed environment by air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(k) data indicative of a concentration or partial pressure of O₂ inside the enclosed environment;

(l) data indicative of a concentration or partial pressure of CO₂ inside the enclosed environment;

wherein said model is used for determining one or more of;

a size of the enclosed environment, and a desired CO₂ scrubbing capacity from said CO₂ scrubber.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further including a fan capable of bringing in air from the outside environment.

23. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said model receives as input at least most of said inputs (a) through (l).

24. The apparatus of claim 3, further including a display operably connected to said controller for visually displaying at least most items selected from the group consisting of:

(i) a target altitude setting, (ii) an actual oxygen level, (iii) an actual CO₂ level, (iv) an actual altitude, (v) a target O₂ level, (vi) a desired altitude;

(vii) a temperature, (viii) an ambient pressure, and (ix) a current simulated altitude.

5. An apparatus for providing an enclosed environment wherein the enclosed environment is different from an outside ambient environment, comprising:

an oxygen concentrator for changing a concentration of oxygen in said enclosed environment;

a CO₂ scrubber for reducing a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

an oxygen sensor for sensing a series of concentrations or partial pressures of oxygen, over time, in said enclosed environment;

a CO₂ sensor for sensing a concentration or partial pressure of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

a controller for receiving a user selected altitude for said enclosed environment, and;

(i) receiving said series of oxygen concentrations or partial pressures from said oxygen sensor, and for receiving CO₂ concentration or partial pressure input from said CO₂ sensor,

(ii) outputting activation signals to said oxygen concentrator when a derived oxygen concentration is determined to be outside of a predetermined range;

wherein said controller combines a plurality of oxygen concentrations from said series of oxygen concentrations for obtaining an aggregate oxygen concentration of said plurality of oxygen concentrations, wherein each of said plurality of oxygen concentrations is indicative of an oxygen concentration within said enclosed environment during a predetermined time period, and wherein said controller determines said derived oxygen concentration as a function of said aggregate oxygen concentration.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a fan capable of bringing in air from the outside environment.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a user communication device operably connected to said controller for permitting a user to:

(a) input his actual altitude;

(b) select a desired simulated altitude level such that said controller calculates the required oxygen and/or CO₂ levels to simulate;

(c) view one or more visual displays selected from the group consisting of a target altitude setting display, an actual oxygen level display, an actual CO₂ level display and a desired altitude display.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said controller adjusts said oxygen sensor to an ambient oxygen percentage of approximately 20.94%.

9. An apparatus for providing an enclosed environment wherein the enclosed environment is different from an outside ambient environment, comprising:

an oxygen concentrator for changing a concentration of oxygen in said enclosed environment;

a CO₂ scrubber for reducing a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

an oxygen sensor for sensing a concentration of oxygen in said enclosed environment;

a CO₂ sensor for sensing a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

an output from a model for predicting one or more of;

a CO₂ concentration in the enclosed environment as a function of time, an altitude in the enclosed environment as a function of time, and a simulated altitude in the enclosed environment as a function of time;

wherein said model receives as input one or more of (a) through (l) following;

(a) data indicative of a volume or partial pressure of O₂ in the enclosed environment;

(b) data indicative of a volume of O₂ consumed by occupants in the enclosed environment;

(c) data indicative of a volume of O₂ removed from the enclosed environment by the oxygen concentrator;

(d) data indicative of a volume of O₂ removed from the enclosed environment by an air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(e) data indicative of a volume of O₂ added to the enclosed environment by an air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(f) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ in the enclosed environment;

(g) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ produced by the occupants of the enclosed environment;

(h) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ removed from the enclosed environment by the CO₂ scrubber;

(i) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ removed from the enclosed environment by air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(j) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ added to the enclosed environment by an air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(k) data indicative of a concentration of O₂ inside the enclosed environment; and

(l) data indicative of a concentration or partial pressure of CO₂ inside the enclosed environment;

wherein said output is used in changing a performance of one or more of said oxygen concentrator and said CO₂ scrubber for obtaining a desired simulated altitude.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said model receives as input at least one of said data of(a) through (l).

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said model receives as input at least most of said data of (a) through (l).

12. The apparatus of claim 9, further including a display operable for presenting at least most visual displays selected from the group consisting of:

a target altitude setting display, an actual altitude, a desired altitude display;

a temperature display, an ambient pressure display, and a current simulated altitude display.

13. A method for providing an enclosed environment wherein the enclosed environment is different from an outside ambient environment, comprising:

first activating one or more oxygen concentrators or nitrogen generators for changing a concentration of oxygen in said enclosed environment when a first predetermined condition occurs;

second activating a CO₂ scrubber for reducing a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment when a second predetermined condition occurs;

first monitoring, from an oxygen sensor, first data indicative of a concentration of oxygen in said enclosed environment;

second monitoring, from a CO₂ sensor, second data indicative of a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

controlling said enclosed environment by changing a performance of one or more of;

said oxygen concentrators and said CO₂ scrubber using said first and second data;

wherein said step of controlling uses predictive information that predicts one or more simulated altitudes within the enclosed environment, wherein said predictive information is determined as a function of at least one of (a) through (l) following;

(a) data indicative of a volume of O₂ in the enclosed environment;

(b) data indicative of a volume of O₂ consumed by occupants in the enclosed environment;

(c) data indicative of a volume of O₂ removed from the enclosed environment by the oxygen concentrator;

(d) data indicative of a volume of O₂ removed from the enclosed environment by an air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(e) data indicative of a volume of O₂ added to the enclosed environment by an air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(f) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ in the enclosed environment;

(g) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ produced by the occupants of the enclosed environment;

(h) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ removed from the enclosed environment by the CO₂ scrubber;

(i) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ removed from the enclosed environment by air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(j) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ added to the enclosed environment by air exchange with air outside of the enclosed environment;

(k) data indicative of a concentration of O₂ inside the enclosed environment; and

(l) data indicative of a concentration of CO₂ inside the enclosed environment.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said predictive information is determined as a function of at least most of (a) through (l).

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said controlling is performed substantially manually.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said controlling is performed substantially electronically.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said controlling step includes using said predictive information to provide a simulated altitude that is lower than an actual altitude.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said controlling step includes using said predictive information to provide a simulated altitude that is higher than an actual altitude.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said controlling step includes using said predictive information to maintain a CO₂ concentration within the enclosed environment at a predetermined CO₂ concentration that is higher than ambient air outside the enclosed environment.

20. The method of claim 13, further including a step of controlling includes:

receiving at least one of a temperature and a pressure measurement of said enclosed environment;

comparing at least one of the said temperature and pressure measurements with a corresponding measurement range for determining whether the enclosed environment is within the measurement range.

21. The method of claim 20, further including activating an alarm when the enclosed environment is outside of the measurement range.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of controlling includes:

receiving a series of oxygen concentrations of the enclosed environment from said oxygen sensor;

determining an aggregate oxygen concentration or partial pressure from said series of oxygen concentrations or partial pressures for a predetermined time period;

outputting activation signals to said oxygen concentrator when said aggregate oxygen concentration is outside of a predetermined range.

25. An apparatus for providing an enclosed environment wherein the enclosed environment is different from an outside ambient environment, comprising:

one or more devices for changing a concentration of oxygen in said enclosed environment, wherein said devices are selected from the group consisting of;

one or more oxygen concentrators and one or more nitrogen generators;

an oxygen sensor for sensing a concentration of oxygen in said enclosed environment;

a predictor for determining a prediction of at least one of a concentration of oxygen and a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment, wherein in determining said prediction, said predictor uses one or more of;

(1) first data indicative of a volume of said enclosed environment;

(2) second data indicative of a number of one or more occupants expected to occupy said enclosed environment;

(3) third data indicative of an oxygen removal or supply rate of said oxygen concentrators;

(4) fourth data indicative of a nitrogen addition or supply rate of said nitrogen generators;

(5) fifth data indicative of a rate of oxygen removal in said enclosed environment;

(6) sixth data indicative of a number of said nitrogen generators;

(7) seventh data indicative of a per-occupant oxygen consumption rate;

(8) eighth data indicative of a per-occupant carbon dioxide production rate;

(9) ninth data indicative of an initial oxygen concentration in said enclosed environment;

(10) tenth data indicative of a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment, said tenth data is obtained for input from a CO₂ sensor for sensing a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

(11) eleventh data indicative of a CO₂ concentration in the outside ambient environment;

(12) twelfth data indicative of an airflow rate through a CO₂ scrubber for removing CO₂ from said enclosed environment;

(13) thirteenth data indicative of an efficiency of said CO₂ scrubber for reducing a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

(14) fourteenth data indicative of an air exchange rate in said enclosed environment expected to be provided by a fan; and

(15) fifteenth data indicative of an air exchange rate through an enclosure having said enclosed environment therein, wherein said enclosure is in a first predetermined configuration related to a gas permeability therethrough;

wherein said prediction is used to control one or more of an activation and a deactivation of said devices.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, further including a controller for:

(i) receiving oxygen concentration input from said oxygen sensor, and

(ii) outputting activation signals to one of said devices when said oxygen concentration input is outside of a predetermined range.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said CO₂ sensor supplies said data indicative of a concentration of CO₂ to said controller.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said CO₂ scrubber receives control signals from said controller for one or more of an activation and a deactivation.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said predictor derives, in obtaining said prediction, one or more of the following:

(a) data indicative of an oxygen volume in said enclosed environment;

(b) data indicative of an oxygen consumption by the occupants in said enclosed environment;

(c) said data indicative of a rate of oxygen removal;

(d) data indicative of an amount of air exiting said enclosed environment through said enclosure;

(e) data indicative of an amount of air entering said enclosed environment through said enclosure;

(f) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ in said enclosed environment;

(g) data indicative of a volume of CO₂ being produced by the occupants;

(h) data indicative of a CO₂ production from the occupants of said enclosed environment;

(i) data indicative of a CO₂ portion of said air exchange rate exiting said enclosed environment;

(j) data indicative of a CO₂ portion of said air exchange rate entering said enclosed environment;

(k) data indicative of an amount of CO₂ removed from said enclosed environment by said CO₂ scrubber;

(l) data indicative of a relative amount of oxygen in said enclosed environment;

(m) data indicative of a simulated altitude in said enclosed environment; and

(n) data indicative of a concentration of CO₂ in said enclosed environment.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said predictor determines said one or more of said (a) through (n) for each of time of a series of increasing time values.

31. A method for providing a desired enclosed atmospheric environment within an enclosure for changing a biological response of an occupant therein, comprising:

first providing predictive data indicative of a future composition of constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment, said predictive data being dependent upon each of (a) through (c) following;

(a) first data indicative of a gas exchange rate between said enclosed atmospheric environment and an atmospheric environment external to said enclosure, wherein said enclosure is in a first predetermined state related to a gas permeability therethrough;

(b) second data indicative of an approximate volume of said enclosure; and

(c) third data indicative of a rate at which one or more devices, operably associated with said enclosure for changing said enclosed atmospheric environment, changes a relative amount of at least one of the gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment, said one or more devices including one or more of;

an oxygen concentrator, a CO₂ scrubber and a generator of a gas that is non-reactive with the occupant of said enclosure;

determining one or more components for constructing said enclosure using said predictive data, said one or more components including said one or more devices for providing said future composition of constituent gases having a desired characteristic of said enclosed atmospheric environment indicative of a desired simulated altitude;

second providing control information for controlling a composition of constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment for simulating said desired simulated altitude which is different from that of the atmospheric environment external to said enclosure

wherein said control information is used in controlling said one or more devices for changing a composition of said constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein a result of using said control information includes obtaining an amount of said at least one gas corresponding to a predetermined partial pressure of said at least one gas.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein said generator includes a nitrogen generator.

34. A method for providing a desired enclosed atmospheric environment within an enclosure for changing a biological response of an occupant therein, comprising:

first obtaining first data indicative of a particular approximate volume of said enclosure;

second obtaining second data indicative of a particular exchange rate of gases between said enclosed atmospheric environment and an atmospheric environment on an opposite side of said enclosure, wherein said enclosure is in a first predetermined state related to gas permeability therethrough;

third obtaining third data indicative of a particular configuration of one or more devices for changing a relative amount of at least one of a plurality of constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment, wherein said devices reduce an amount of oxygen in said enclosure;

fourth obtaining prediction information determined by supplying input substantially similar to said first, second and third data to a predictive model for obtaining a future composition of the constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment indicative of a simulated altitude; and

presenting said prediction information to a person for determining whether said future composition provides a desired characteristic of said enclosed atmospheric environment related to a simulated altitude.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said enclosure includes a partition between said enclosed atmospheric environment and the atmospheric environment external to said enclosure.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said partition is part of a room or a tent.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein said prediction information includes one or more of:

a flow rate for controlling an amount of oxygen, a flow rate for controlling an amount of CO₂, a flow rate for controlling an amount of nitrogen.

38. The method of claim 37, further including a step of manually changing said particular exchange rate for providing said desired characteristic.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of presenting includes providing the person with a chart having said prediction information thereon.

40. A method for providing a desired enclosed atmospheric environment within an enclosure for changing a biological response of an occupant therein, comprising:

first obtaining first data indicative of an approximate volume of said enclosure;

second obtaining second data indicative of a gas exchange rate between said enclosed atmospheric environment and an atmospheric environment external to said enclosure, wherein said enclosure is in a first state of substantially constant gas permeability therethrough;

third obtaining third data indicative of a rate at which one or more devices, operably associated with said enclosure for changing said atmospheric environment, changes a composition of at least one of the gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment, wherein said devices reduce an amount of oxygen in said enclosure;

fourth obtaining prediction information determined by supplying input substantially similar to said first, second and third data to a predictive model for a future composition of said constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment;

determining whether said future composition provides a desired characteristic of said enclosed atmospheric environment related to a simulated altitude;

when said future composition is satisfactory for providing said desired characteristic, further including a step of determining control information for controlling said one or more devices for providing said composition of said at least one gas of said enclosed atmospheric environment, and

controlling, using said control information, said one or more devices for controlling a gaseous output of said one or more devices.

41. A method for providing a desired enclosed atmospheric environment within an enclosure for changing a biological response of an occupant therein, comprising:

first providing one or more components for constructing said enclosure, said one or more components selected from the group consisting of;

a material for said enclosure, an oxygen concentrator, an oxygen sensor, a CO₂ scrubber, a CO₂ sensor, a generator of a gas that is non-reactive with the occupant of said enclosure, and a controller for communicating with at least one of said oxygen concentrator, said CO₂ scrubber, and said generator for controlling a composition of at least one gas of said enclosed atmospheric environment;

first obtaining first data indicative of an approximate volume of said enclosure;

second obtaining second data indicative of an exchange rate of gases between said enclosed atmospheric environment and an atmospheric environment external to said enclosure, wherein said enclosure is in a first predetermined configuration related to a gas permeability therethrough;

third obtaining third data indicative of a rate at which a device changes a relative amount of at least one of a plurality constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment, said device including one of;

said oxygen concentrator, said CO₂ scrubber and said generator;

fourth obtaining prediction information determined by supplying input indicative of said first, second and third data to a predictive model for obtaining a future prediction of a composition of said constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment;

determining whether said future composition provides a desired characteristic of said enclosed atmospheric environment, said desired characteristic related to a simulated altitude;

when said future composition is satisfactory for providing said desired characteristic, further including a step of determining control information for controlling said one or more devices for providing said composition of said at least one gas of said enclosed atmospheric environment, and

controlling, using said control information, said enclosed atmospheric environment.

42. An apparatus for providing a desired enclosed atmospheric environment within an enclosure for changing a biological response of an occupant therein, comprising:

means for constructing said enclosure, including one or more components selected from the group consisting of;

a material for said enclosure, an oxygen concentrator, an oxygen sensor, a CO₂ scrubber, a CO₂ sensor, a generator of a gas that is non-reactive with the occupant of said enclosure, and a controller for communicating with at least one of said oxygen concentrator, said CO₂ scrubber, and said generator for controlling an amount of at least one gas of a plurality of constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment;

first means for providing predictive data indicative of a future composition of said constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment, said predictive data being dependent upon each of (a) through (c) following;

(a) first data indicative of a gas exchange rate between said enclosed atmospheric environment and an atmospheric environment external to said enclosure, wherein said enclosure is in a first predetermined state related to a gas permeability therethrough;

(b) second data indicative of an approximate volume of said enclosure; and

(c) third data indicative of a rate at which a device, operably associated with said enclosure for changing said atmospheric environment, changes relative amount of at least one of the gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment, said device including one of;

said oxygen concentrator, said CO₂ scrubber and said generator;

second means for providing control information for controlling a composition of constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment, said control information determined according to said predictive data;

wherein said control information is used in controlling said device for changing a composition of said constituent gases of said enclosed atmospheric environment;

wherein a result of using said control information includes obtaining said desired enclosed atmospheric environment having an amount of said at least one gas corresponding to a predetermined partial pressure of said at least one gas.