The number of medical facilities offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy jumped over the last 50 years. Back in the s, approximately 27 facilities offered HBOT nationwide. As researchers learned about the benefits of HBOT, more and more facilities began offering treatments with hyperbaric chambers. Recent reports state as many as 1,800 to 2,000 hospitals offer hyperbaric treatments in the United States. This is in addition to between 500 and 700 non-hospital-based clinics or medical practices. And this doesn’t even count the amount of soft-sided hyperbaric chambers people own in their own homes.
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New research continues to show the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a variety of FDA-approved and off-label medical conditions. This creates a great new medical treatment option for many patients. But it also creates an opening for large profits at the expense of patients. Soft-sided hyperbaric chambers offer patients the ability to purchase a chamber for use at home. Unfortunately, not all chambers are equal. Soft-sided chambers do not offer the same benefits and can, in some cases, make things worse.
In hospitals and clinics, physicians use hard-shell hyperbaric oxygen chambers. These chambers are medical-grade devices and FDA-approved for the treatment of 14 conditions. In addition, they show positive results in studies for many, many more conditions. Hard-shell chambers are steel-enclosed chambers that deliver 100 percent oxygen at atmospheric pressures above 2.0 ATA. Installation of these chambers in a medical facility requires meeting various building regulations, including NFPA-99 from the National Fire Protection Association.
Soft-sided chambers, known as mild HBOT or mHBOT, are portable chambers that seal with a zipper. They can reach pressure levels around 1.3 ATA and typically deliver 24 percent oxygen levels. Originally designed for divers and mountain climbers to use until they could transport to a hard-sided chamber, the intention was never to use soft-sided chambers for treatment.
The big difference between hard and soft chambers comes when we talk about oxygen concentration into the body. To get a better understanding of this, as you read this, you are breathing in room air with a concentration of 21 percent oxygen. A soft-sided chamber utilizes 24 percent oxygen. In contrast, when you see people transported in an ambulance and hooked up to an oxygen mask, they are receiving 55 percent oxygen. Hard-shell hyperbaric chambers deliver 100 percent oxygen. These numbers don’t even consider the pressure level differences.
To go more in-depth, let’s look at arterial blood gas levels that show oxygen in the blood. In normal air conditions and at normal pressure, your blood oxygen is going to read 157 mmHg. However, in a soft-sided chamber at 1.3 ATA and 24 percent oxygen, your number rises to 230 mmHg. An oxygen mask, like those used in ambulance transport, delivers 55 percent oxygen at normal pressure and gives you 418 mmHg. Of course, the real difference occurs in a hard-shell chamber. With a hard-shell chamber at 2.4 ATA and 100 percent oxygen, your arterial oxygen levels reach 1,824 mmHg.
The idea behind hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its success as a treatment option depend on flooding the body with higher levels of oxygen. Unfortunately, you see that soft-sided chambers don’t really offer much more than the air you naturally breathe. In all honesty, you receive more benefit from a simple oxygen mask.
While hyperbaric oxygen therapy is FDA-approved for the treatment of 14 conditions currently, many conditions have been treated off-label with great success both in medical clinic environments as well as in numerous clinical studies, showing that flooding the body with high levels of oxygen can heal and, in many cases, return quality of life to many patients. However, in all these studies the administration of oxygen has been at 100 percent and at pressure levels of 2.0 ATA or higher.
To date, no real studies have looked at the benefit of mild hyperbaric, or low oxygen therapy. And given the numbers, the oxygen levels they provide aren’t much different than what you breathe in normally. Soft-sided chambers are not FDA-approved as a medical device for the use in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, except for the use by climbers and divers with altitude sickness during transport to a medical facility with a hyperbaric chamber.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treats non-healing wounds as well as bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Scientific research shows that oxygen becomes bacteriostatic at 1.5 ATA. This means that at levels above 1.5 ATA, the oxygen prevents bacterial and fungal growth. With hard-shell hyperbaric oxygen therapy, pressure levels are typically over 2.0 ATA, making it successful in the suppression of bacterial growth. Unfortunately, with average levels of 1.3 ATA, soft-sided chambers cannot suppress bacterial growth. On the contrary, they enhance the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungus. Exposure to bacteria, mold, and fungus make conditions worse or lead to additional medical complications.
Here, Dr. Spiegel and his team treat patients with the top-quality hard-shell chambers. Sechrist Industries is an industry leader in hyperbaric chambers, making them for over 35 years. Our chambers, Sechrist , is a pneumatically controlled system offering a 32-inch inside diameter, making it spacious and comfortable for our patients. This chamber allows for full patient monitoring during oxygen treatments and features a patient entertainment system. In addition, our system offers a two-way intercom system, making communication easy during the procedure.
If you would like more information on our chambers, what they offer, and how hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help treat your medical condition, please give us a call today to set up an initial consultation with Dr. Spiegel and his team or click HERE to fill out our online information request form.
Considering the expansion of hyperbaric therapy applications across diverse fields? Hard shell hyperbaric chambers stand as a critical asset in this growing landscape, offering advanced therapeutic options.
With extensive experience in hyperbaric medicine, this guide draws from deep industry insights and practical knowledge to provide valuable information.
Hard shell hyperbaric chambers stand out for their durability and capability to reach higher pressures, essential for treating a range of medical conditions.
In this guide, we’ll uncover the types, benefits, and clinical applications of hard shell hyperbaric chambers. We’ll also explore safety protocols and tips for choosing the right chamber.
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Hard shell hyperbaric chambers feature a sturdy construction designed to withstand and operate under increased atmospheric pressure. These chambers are designed for safety and effectiveness, offering controlled environments for administering hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Unlike their soft shell counterparts, hard shell chambers can reach higher pressures, making them suitable for a wide range of medical conditions.
These chambers provide a reliable and effective setting for a wide range of treatments. From aiding in the recovery of sports injuries to accelerating the healing of complex wounds, the versatility of hard shell chambers is undeniable. And the best part is, their sturdy construction allows for their use in diverse medical fields, including hospitals, sports facilities, and dive centers.
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Transitioning from understanding the foundational aspects of hard shell hyperbaric chambers, it’s crucial to explore their benefits. Here are the advantages of utilizing hard hyperbaric chambers:
Hard shell hyperbaric chambers excel in maintaining stable, high-pressure environments essential for effective hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This stability ensures that patients receive a consistent level of treatment throughout each session.
The sturdy construction of these chambers minimizes risks associated with high-pressure treatments. Equipped with advanced safety mechanisms, they are designed to protect both the patient and the operator.
Due to their hard structure, these chambers can achieve higher levels of oxygen saturation. This means oxygen is more effectively dissolved into the bloodstream, accelerating the healing process.
The materials used in hard shell chambers are selected for their strength and resilience, ensuring that these units can withstand repeated use over many years without significant wear and tear. The long-term cost savings for medical facilities and hospitals are substantial, making them a wise investment.
Hard shell chambers are capable of accommodating a wide range of medical conditions, from chronic wounds to acute sports injuries. This versatility makes them invaluable assets in diverse healthcare settings. But that’s not all, their ability to serve various patient needs means better accessibility to hyperbaric therapy for all.
Many hard shell chambers are designed with patient comfort in mind, featuring larger interiors and amenities like internal lighting and communication systems. For example, claustrophobic patients may find the spacious interior more accommodating, easing the stress associated with enclosed spaces.
Building on the benefits of hard shell hyperbaric chambers, let’s dive into the different types available in the market. Here are the primary categories:
Designed for individual treatment, monoplace hard hyperbaric chambers are compact and efficient. Patients lie inside a cylindrical chamber, experiencing therapy in a private setting. For instance, many private clinics prefer these for their space efficiency and ease of use.
Capable of accommodating multiple patients simultaneously, these chambers are larger and often used in hospital settings. They allow for a medical professional to be present inside, providing direct patient care during the session.
While not as common, portable hard shell chambers offer flexibility for locations where permanent installations are not feasible. Amazing, isn’t it? They can be transported and set up as needed, making them ideal for emergency situations or remote medical services.
In fact, according to Verified Market Research, the market for these portable hyperbaric chambers is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.50% from to . This growth underscores the increasing recognition of their utility and the expanding scope of hyperbaric therapy applications beyond traditional settings.
Specifically designed for animal use, these chambers cater to the veterinary sector. They vary in size to accommodate different animal patients, from small pets to larger animals like horses. They’re equipped with features tailored to animal comfort and safety.
Moving from the types of hard shell hyperbaric chambers, we shift focus to their diverse clinical applications. Here are the key areas where these chambers have a significant impact:
Hard shell hyperbaric chambers play a crucial role in enhancing the healing process of chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers. By delivering a higher concentration of oxygen to the wound site, healing times are significantly reduced. For example, patients with non-healing wounds often see improved outcomes after undergoing sessions in these chambers.
Essential for treating divers affected by decompression sickness, these chambers restore normal atmospheric pressure effectively. And the best part is, they can also be used preemptively by divers to reduce the risk of sickness after deep dives.
In cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, hard shell hyperbaric chambers are lifesavers, providing the necessary environment to quickly eliminate toxic gas from the bloodstream. This application is crucial in emergency medicine, offering a rapid response solution.
Increasingly, research supports the use of these chambers for certain neurological conditions, offering new hope for patients with traumatic brain injuries or stroke-induced damage. Ongoing studies continue to explore the potential benefits, potentially expanding the scope of treatable conditions.
Moving into the critical aspect of safety measures and protocols within hard shell HBOT, ensuring patient and operator safety is paramount. Here are the essential safety protocols:
HBOT involves breathing oxygen in a pressurized chamber to treat various conditions, but it may cause common side effects. Awareness and strategies to mitigate these side effects are essential for patients and healthcare providers. Here are the common side effects and how to mitigate them:
Side Effect Description Mitigation Strategies Ear and Sinus Discomfort Most common side effect due to changes in air pressure, affecting ears and sinuses. Techniques to equalize ear pressure (e.g., yawning, swallowing, Valsalva maneuver), nasal decongestants, or myringotomy (ear tubes) in severe cases. Visual Changes Temporary nearsightedness (myopia) due to prolonged oxygen exposure. Temporary; inform patients about the potential change and its reversibility. Regular eye exams to monitor changes. Oxygen Toxicity Rare, caused by high levels of oxygen over long periods, affecting the central nervous system or lungs. Limit exposure to high oxygen concentrations and session duration. Monitor for signs of toxicity and adjust treatment as needed. Fatigue Tiredness post-HBOT sessions, possibly due to increased metabolic rate from high oxygen levels. Rest after treatment, stay hydrated, manage treatment schedule to avoid overexertion. Claustrophobia Triggered by the enclosed space of the hyperbaric chamber. Pre-treatment orientation, use chambers with transparent walls, relaxation techniques, and, in some cases, mild sedatives under close supervision.Navigating the selection of a hard shell hyperbaric chamber requires consideration of several key criteria to ensure you make an informed choice that meets your specific needs. Here are the essential factors to evaluate:
This range is crucial for treating a wide array of medical conditions effectively. Now, this is important; the capability to reach higher pressures allows for a broader range of a broader range of therapeutic applications, making the investment more versatile and valuable.
Opt for a chamber that balances internal space with the facility’s available space. Chambers with a diameter of at least 32 inches offer comfort for most patients, including those who may experience claustrophobia. A comfortable patient is more likely to complete their treatment regimen successfully.
Advanced diagnostic tools, such as oxygen analyzers and digital pressure transducers, are increasingly incorporated into hard shell chambers for continuous monitoring of safety parameters and adherence to treatment protocols. They measure oxygen levels and internal pressure accurately, maintaining them within prescribed limits.
Composite materials in hard shell hyperbaric chambers mix fibers and a binding matrix, typically a polymer resin. This blend offers strength, stiffness, and lighter weight compared to traditional metal constructions like steel or aluminum, enhancing durability and ease of handling.
This comprehensive guide to hard shell hyperbaric chambers offers a detailed look at their benefits, types, and clinical applications, providing essential insights to enhance your understanding and utilization of this technology.