Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Means for supplying respiratory gas under positive pressure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-18
2002-03-05
Dawson, Glenn K. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Means for supplying respiratory gas under positive pressure
C128S200240, C454S070000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06352078
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention pertains to accessories in combination with pressure vessels. More particularly, the invention relates to closure mechanisms and seating controls in combination with a hyperbaric chamber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of closure mechanisms have been developed in combination with hyperbaric chambers; incorporating a number of different technologies. U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,904 issued to Hannum employs a transparent rectangular door sliding on a pair of rods to seal the chamber. Hannum also discloses a sliding seat arrangement that incorporates a pair of rails to permit the seat to slide forward and back within the chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,678 issued to Gamow, incorporates an airtight zipper attached to an inflatable hyperbaric chamber to provide ingress and egress for the chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,286, issued to Farvel et al. discloses a device for suspending and guiding a movable panel. This invention incorporates a tubular channel with a ball-bearing mounted spherical roller positioned inside of the channel from which the panel is suspended. U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,334 issued to Reneau employs an outwardly hinged door with rotary locking mechanism to secure the opening of a hyperbaric chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,739 issued to Smith describes a swivel-recliner chair providing a variety of adjustment mechanisms.
While other variations exist, the above-described designs for closure and seating controls in combination with hyperbaric chambers are typical of those encountered in the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a reliable means for sealing a hyperbaric chamber opening. It is a further objective to provide a closing mechanism that is simple to operate and that provides for easy entrance and egress from the hyperbaric chamber. It is a further objective of the invention to provide a closing mechanism that may be easily manufactured, at a reasonable cost and with the required precision. It is yet a further objective that the closing mechanism be easily adjustable for wear at the sealing surfaces. It is still another objective of the invention to provide a seat control mechanism that allows for convenient and precise positioning of the patient within the chamber. It is yet another objective to provide a seat control that may be easily locked and unlocked in a variety of positions.
While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art closure and seating control inventions in combination with hyperbaric chambers and satisfies all of the objectives described above.
A closure mechanism in combination with a hyperbaric chamber providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A floor, a ceiling, a surrounding wall sealably joined to said floor and said ceiling an inner surface, an outer surface and a door opening having first predetermined dimensions. A ring of malleable sealing material is provided. The sealing material is located on the inner surface of the chamber at a first predetermined distance from the door opening. A means is provided for affixing the sealing material to the inner surface of the chamber.
A hyperbaric chamber door is provided. The door has an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper end and a lower end. The door has second predetermined dimensions that are larger than the first dimensions such that the perimeter of the door extends beyond the ring of the sealing material. Means are provided for positioning the door within the chamber in a first position such that the outer surface of the door abuts the sealing material and in a second position permitting entry into the chamber. Means are provided for pressurizing the chamber.
When the door is located in the first position and the chamber is pressurized, the door will be urged against the sealing material. This action will seal the outer surface of the chamber door to the inner surface of the chamber and permit the pressure within the chamber to be increased above ambient.
In a variant of the invention, the door opening of the hyperbaric chamber is curved in at least one plane and the chamber door is curved in at least one plane such that the door may be sealed in position adjacent the door opening.
In another variant, the hyperbaric chamber door has an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper end and a lower end and has second predetermined dimensions. The second dimensions are larger than the first dimensions such that the perimeter of the door extends beyond the chamber door opening.
A ring of malleable sealing material is provided. The sealing material is located on the outer surface of the chamber door at a second predetermined distance from the door perimeter. A means is provided for affixing the sealing material to the outer surface of the door. Means are provided for positioning the door within the chamber in a first position such that the sealing material abuts the inner surface of the chamber and in a second position permitting entry into the chamber. Means are provided for pressurizing the chamber.
When the door is located in the first position and the chamber is pressurized, the door and the affixed sealing material will be urged against the inner surface of the chamber. This action will seal the outer surface of the chamber door to the inner surface of the chamber and permit the pressure within the chamber to be increased above ambient.
In a variant on this embodiment, the door opening of the hyperbaric chamber is curved in at least one plane and the chamber door is curved in at least one plane such that the door may be sealably positioned adjacent the door opening.
In yet another variant of the invention, means for locking and unlocking the chamber door are provided that include the following components. At least one locking shaft is provided. The shaft has a first end, a second end, a wedge-shaped portion located at the first end and a connecting means located adjacent the second end. The locking shaft is slidably mounted to the inner surface of the chamber door. Means attached to the connecting means of the locking shaft for moving the locking shaft from a first, retracted position to a second extended position are provided. A retaining bar is provided that is mounted to the inner surface of the chamber and located so as to engage the wedge-shaped portion of the locking shaft when the shaft is in the second, extended position and located so as to be disengaged from the wedge-shaped portion when the shaft is in the first, retracted position.
When the chamber door is moved to the first position adjacent the door opening and the locking shaft is moved is moved from the first position to the second position, the wedge-shaped portion will bear against the retaining bar. This action urges the door against the inner surface of the chamber and compresses the ring of sealing material to form an airtight seal between the door and the chamber.
When the pressure is reduced in the chamber and the locking shaft is moved from the second position to the first position, this action disengages the wedge-shaped portion from the retaining bar. The chamber door may now be moved to the second position to permit entry and exit from the chamber.
In still another variant, the means for affixing the sealing material to the inner surface of the chamber includes a groove. The groove is sized and shaped to accept a first, inner portion of the ring of malleable sealing material and located on the inner surface of the hyperbaric chamber at the first predetermined distance from the door opening. Means for attaching the ring of malleable sealing material to the groove are provided.
In yet another variant of the invention, the means for affixing the sealing material to the outer surface of the chamber door includes a groove. The groove is sized and shaped to accept a second, outer portion of the ring of malleable sealing mate
Harvey David E.
Wright Charles
Beehler & Pavitt
Belasco David A.
Dawson Glenn K.
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