Portable oxygen system

Abstract

A container for storing oxygen under pressure is disclosed that includes a chamber adapted to be worn around a user's waist and adapted for supplying oxygen to the user; the chamber defining a volume to contain oxygen under pressure; wherein the chamber is defined by a central portion extending between opposite side portions; wherein each of the opposite side portions has a height greater than a maximum height of the central portion that further defines a void between the side portions and above the central portion; and wherein the chamber is further defined by an exterior surface of the chamber adjacent the user.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A container for storing oxygen under pressure comprising:
 a chamber adapted to be worn around a user's waist and adapted for supplying oxygen to the user:   the chamber defining a volume sized to contain at least 0.50 liquid liter of oxygen under pressure;   wherein the chamber is defined by a central portion extending between opposite side portions;   wherein each of the opposite side portions has a height greater than a maximum height of the central portion that further defines a void between the side portions and above the central portion; and   wherein the chamber is further defined by an exterior surface of the chamber adjacent the user, and either
 a) the side portions are configured to wrap at least partially around the user's waist such that the exterior surface of the chamber adjacent the user is substantially concave, or 
 b) the exterior surface of the chamber adjacent the user is substantially planar. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container for storing oxygen under pressure of  claim 1 , wherein the volume is sized to contain at least 0.75 liquid liter of oxygen under pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The container for storing oxygen under pressure of  claim 1 , wherein the void is sized to receive an oxygen delivery system. 
     
     
         4 . The container for storing oxygen under pressure of  claim 1 , wherein the volume is sized to contain at least 750 liters gaseous equivalent capacity. 
     
     
         5 . The container for storing oxygen under pressure of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber has a rigid exterior. 
     
     
         6 . The container for storing oxygen under pressure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the opposite side portions has an interior side portion volume, and the central portion has an interior central portion volume, and the interior side portion volume is equal to or greater than the interior central portion volume. 
     
     
         7 . The container for storing oxygen under pressure of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of the chamber is continuous without dividers or partitions within the volume. 
     
     
         8 . The container for storing oxygen under pressure of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber has a lateral cross-section that is generally kidney shaped to conform to a user's torso. 
     
     
         9 . The container for storing oxygen under pressure of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber has a lateral cross-section that is generally rectangular. 
     
     
         10 . A portable oxygen delivery system comprising:
 a chamber adapted to be worn around a user's waist, the chamber defining a volume sized to contain at least 0.50 liquid liter of oxygen under pressure,   wherein the chamber is defined by a central portion extending between opposite side portions   wherein each of the opposite side portions has a height greater than a maximum height of the central portion that further defines a void between the side portions and above the central portion,   an oxygen delivery system disposed in the void between the opposite side portions of the chamber, the oxygen delivery system including:   an oxygen supply line coil connected to an output port of the chamber, a flow control valve configured to regulate the flow of gaseous oxygen to the user, and   a lumen connector configured to receive a lumen for delivering the flow of gaseous oxygen to the user; and   wherein the chamber is further defined by an exterior surface of the chamber adjacent the user, and either
 a) the side portions are configured to wrap at least partially around the user's waist such that the exterior surface of the chamber adjacent the user is substantially concave, or 
 b) the exterior surface of the chamber adjacent the user is substantially planar. 
   
     
     
         11 . The portable oxygen delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein the volume is sized to contain at least 0.75 liquid liter of oxygen under pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The portable oxygen delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein the system is configured to provide a constant flow demand of at least 2 gaseous liters per minute for a duration of at least 5 hours. 
     
     
         13 . The portable oxygen delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein the volume is sized to contain at least 750 liters gaseous equivalent capacity. 
     
     
         14 . The portable oxygen delivery system of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a carrying case containing the chamber and oxygen delivery system, the carrying case configured to be secured around a user's waist. 
 
     
     
         15 . The portable oxygen delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein the flow control valve is an electronically controlled flow control valve, and wherein the portable oxygen system further comprises a remote control configured to communicate wirelessly with the electronically controlled flow control valve to adjust the flow of gaseous oxygen to the user. 
     
     
         16 . A portable oxygen delivery system comprising:
 means for ergonomically storing at least 750 liters gaseous equivalent capacity of oxygen under pressure in a configuration that is wearable by a user about the user's waist without substantially inhibiting the user's movement, and   an oxygen delivery system for delivering gaseous oxygen to the user.