Development and preliminary test of a new plateau hyperbaric chamber

The objective of this study is to validate the performance, define its limits, and provide details on a new plateau hyperbaric chamber at 355-, 2880-, and 4532-m high altitude.

A new multiplace plateau hyperbaric chamber was designed to satisfy the needed of patients who have acute mountain sickness. Tests were conducted inside the chamber at 355-, 2880-, and 4532-m high altitude. The safely and conveniences of the new plateau hyperbaric chamber were estimated.

Minimum pressures of the main compartment can reach up to 0.029, 0.022, and 0.02 MPa at 355-, 2880-, and 4532-m high altitude. During pressurization, there was no leak of air around the chamber. The time lag of pressure equilibration between main and buffer compartment varies from 30.3±2.01 to 200.5±5.44 seconds and between buffer compartment and ambient pressure varies from 60.2±4.13 to 215.9±6.76 seconds.

The chamber can be applicated for acute mountain sickness treatment safety and convenience. However, further experience about animals and human within the chamber is needed to improve the hardware and establish conditions of effective utilization of this equipment in the high altitude.