Apparatus and method for increasing, monitoring, measuring, and controlling perspiratory water and solid loss at a reduced ambient pressure

Abstract

A device for increasing, monitoring, and measuring perspiration water and solid loss at reduced ambient pressure, comprising a sealed chamber capable of maintaining less than atmospheric pressure for an extended period of time and a gasket-sealed door accessing the chamber. The chamber provides a controlled hypobaric environment for treatment of various medical conditions. Internal controls of ambient pressure inside, temperature, humidity, oxygen, CO2 and other environmental conditions within the chamber are included, as well as a mechanism for recovering perspiration water loss from an occupant of the chamber. Methods for determining the perspiration volume of water and solid loss experienced by an occupant in the chamber are also disclosed including a computer program for determining quantity of sweat produced by the occupant of the chamber on a continuous basis. An algorithm allowing for continuous calculations of sweat loss and fluid replacement requirements of the occupant of the chamber is disclosed.

1 . A device for increasing, monitoring, and measuring perspiration water and solid loss at reduced ambient pressure, comprising: a sealed chamber capable of maintaining less than atmospheric pressure for an extended period of time; a gasket-sealed door accessing said chamber; means for reducing ambient pressure inside said chamber; and means for recovering perspiration water loss from an occupant of said chamber. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further including means for recovering perspiration solid loss from an occupant of said chamber. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , further including means for monitoring and controlling the humidity inside said chamber. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further including means for monitoring and controlling the ambient temperature inside said chamber. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , further including means for measuring and controlling the quality and quantity of oxygen supplied to said chamber. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , further including means for computerized control of bioinstrumentation and environmental control systems in said chamber. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , further including oxygen gas mask means for providing oxygen under certain treatment conditions to said occupant of said chamber. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , further including sweat collection means for collecting sweat from said occupant of said chamber. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said sweat collection means comprises a layered garment. 
   
   
       10 . A method for determining the perspiration volume of water and solid loss experienced by an occupant in said chamber, comprising the steps of: measuring the water and solid input; measuring the beginning weight of said occupant in said chamber; measuring the ending weight of said occupant of said chamber; measuring the metabolic activity experienced by said occupant of said chamber; measuring water and solid loss experienced by said occupant of said chamber; and calculating the perspiration volume water and solid loss. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said method includes a computer program means for determining quantity of sweat produced by said occupant of said chamber on a continuous basis. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said computer program utilizes an algorithm allowing for continuous calculations of sweat loss and fluid replacement requirements of said occupant of said chamber.