Reduced-oxygen breathing device
First Claim
1. A reduced-oxygen breathing apparatus comprising:
- (h) a vessel for gas mixing, wherein said gas mixing vessel is a hollow loop;
(i) an ambient air inlet, said inlet being in fluid communication with said gas mixing vessel;
(j) an outlet, said outlet being in fluid communication with said gas mixing vessel on one end and providing a controlled gas mixture to a subject at the opposite end;
(k) an oxygen concentration sensor, said sensor being in fluid communication with the gas mixing vessel;
(l) a nitrogen gas supply, said nitrogen gas supply being in fluid communication with said gas mixing vessel;
(m) a nitrogen valve in fluid communication with said gas mixing vessel and said nitrogen gas supply, wherein said nitrogen valve controls flow of said nitrogen gas supply to said gas mixing vessel; and
(n) a controller for said gas mixing, wherein;
said oxygen concentration sensor sends a signal to said controller;
said controller manipulates said signal;
said controller provides an output signal to said nitrogen valve that adjusts said nitrogen gas supply to said gas mixing vessel in accordance with parameters set by an operator; and
further comprising a nitrogen concentration sensor in fluid communication with said loop.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention includes a non-rebreathing circuit coupled with computer-controlled gas adjustments. Ambient air is diluted with nitrogen on a breath-by-breath basis to provide precise control over the inspired concentration of oxygen/nitrogen mixture, thereby simulating selected altitudes on an almost instantaneous basis. Carbon dioxide and water vapor exhaled by the subject are released into the environment and absorption is not necessary. In addition, the mixed gas can be administered through a standard aviator'"'"'s oxygen mask, increasing the realism of the simulation and removing obvious external cues on the nature of the experiment. Maintenance on the mixing loop is low when compared to re-breathing units, since no consumable items are necessary to absorb water vapor or carbon dioxide. A mixing device provides a homogenized mixture of nitrogen/oxygen fluid to the subject.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A reduced-oxygen breathing apparatus comprising:
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(h) a vessel for gas mixing, wherein said gas mixing vessel is a hollow loop;
(i) an ambient air inlet, said inlet being in fluid communication with said gas mixing vessel;
(j) an outlet, said outlet being in fluid communication with said gas mixing vessel on one end and providing a controlled gas mixture to a subject at the opposite end;
(k) an oxygen concentration sensor, said sensor being in fluid communication with the gas mixing vessel;
(l) a nitrogen gas supply, said nitrogen gas supply being in fluid communication with said gas mixing vessel;
(m) a nitrogen valve in fluid communication with said gas mixing vessel and said nitrogen gas supply, wherein said nitrogen valve controls flow of said nitrogen gas supply to said gas mixing vessel; and
(n) a controller for said gas mixing, wherein;
said oxygen concentration sensor sends a signal to said controller;
said controller manipulates said signal;
said controller provides an output signal to said nitrogen valve that adjusts said nitrogen gas supply to said gas mixing vessel in accordance with parameters set by an operator; and
further comprising a nitrogen concentration sensor in fluid communication with said loop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification