System for controlling pressure in defined environment and associated method

Abstract

A system and a method for treating pain in a patient suffering pain are provided. The method may include providing a system inhabitable by the patient in which pressure may be controlled. The patient may suffer from a pain inducing condition associated with a pressure change. The method may also include controlling the pressure of the environment that may be inhabited by the patient to prevent, reduce, or eliminate pressure change. The pain inducing condition may be prevented, reduced or eliminated.

1 . A system for controlling pressure in an environment defined by at least one of a wall, a floor, and a ceiling, comprising: a blocking structure corresponding to a gas port defined by, extending therethrough, the wall, the floor, or the ceiling, and the gas port being operable to communicate a pressure from the defined environment to ambient atmosphere, wherein the blocking structure is operable to block or reduce a gas flow through the corresponding gas port; and a pressure source communicable with the defined environment that is operable to control a pressure inside the defined environment relative to an ambient atmosphere pressure, which is outside and proximate to the defined environment. 
     
     
         2 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wall, ceiling, or floor defines a plurality of similar or dissimilar gas ports, and the blocking structure is one of a plurality of blocking structures that comprises at least one blocking structure corresponding to at least one of each of the plurality of gas ports. 
     
     
         3 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a monitor operable to sense a pressure, and the monitor communicating with a volume defined by the room, the ambient atmosphere outside and proximate to the room, or both. 
     
     
         4 . The system as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising at least one sensor operable to sense an environmental variable and to communicate information associated with the sensed environmental variable to the monitor. 
     
     
         5 . The system as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising a controller that communicates with the monitor and the pressure source, the controller being operable to determine a difference in pressure in the room relative to ambient atmosphere, and to control the pressure source to adjust or maintain the room pressure in a predetermined range or in a predetermined pressure ratio of room pressure to ambient pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure source is a pump. 
     
     
         7 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure safety device that is operable to monitor the room pressure and to maintain the room pressure in a predefined range of safe pressures. 
     
     
         8 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising an oxygen content safety device that is operable to monitor the oxygen level in the room and to maintain the oxygen content in the room above a predetermined minimum oxygen content level, a carbon dioxide safety device that is operable to monitor the carbon dioxide level in the room and to maintain the carbon dioxide content in the room below a predetermined maximum carbon dioxide content level, a carbon monoxide safety device that is operable to monitor the carbon monoxide level in the room and to maintain the carbon monoxide content in the room below a predetermined maximum carbon monoxide content level, or a combination of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising an ingress/egress portal that is configured to allow for a person to enter or leave the room, and is sealable or resealable. 
     
     
         10 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking structure is configured to block gas flow through one or more of a window, door, or vent. 
     
     
         11 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking structure is a liner configured to overlay a wall, a ceiling, or a floor, and the liner is operable to block gas flow therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the liner has a sealable port for passage of a wire therethrough, and blocks passage of gas therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . The system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the liner is transparent. 
     
     
         14 . The system as defined in  claim 11 , further comprising a ceiling support structure, wherein the liner is configured to overlay the ceiling, and the ceiling support structure is operable to support the liner proximate to the ceiling. 
     
     
         15 . The system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the liner is configured to overlay a wall, and further comprising a wall support structure for supporting the liner proximate to the wall. 
     
     
         16 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking structure comprises a fastener, and wherein the fastener is a re-securable fastener comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, a hook and loop fastener system, a zipper, a gripping structure, a magnetic closure system, a snap, a button, a hook, or a combination of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking structure comprises a fastener, and wherein the fastener is a substantially permanent securable fastener comprising a structural adhesive, hot melt adhesive, staples, nails, bolts, and combinations of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure source is operable to affect a pressure difference so that the pressure inside the defined environment is increased relative to the outside atmospheric pressure by an amount in a range of from great than about 0 kPa to less than about 2000 kPa. 
     
     
         19 . The system as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the pressure difference is in an amount in a range of from about 0.1 kPa to about 5 kPa. 
     
     
         20 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure source comprises one or more of a filter, a heater, a cooler, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, or a sterilizer unit. 
     
     
         21 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A system operable to prevent, reduce or eliminate pain in a human that suffers from a pain inducing condition, comprising: means for blocking gas flow from a defined environment; and means for controlling pressure in the defined environment. 
     
     
         33 . The system as defined in  claim 32 , further comprising means for defining the environment, further comprising means for sensing at least one condition, and further comprising means for affecting a flow of air. 
     
     
         34 . A kit, comprising: a plurality of blocking structures, each blocking structure of the plurality corresponding to at least one gas port, which is operable to communicate a room pressure from a defined environment to ambient atmosphere, each blocking structure being operable to block communication of the pressure through the at least one gas port; and a pressure source in communication with the defined environment that is operable to cause the room pressure to increase pressure, maintain pressure, decrease pressure, or a combination of two or more thereof.