Last updated on 07 April 08

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Hyperbaric medicine, also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the medical use of oxygen at a higher than atmospheric pressure. Hyperbaric is the only technique available to overcome the natural limit of oxygen solubility in blood. The hyperbaric procedure is done in specially designed chambers that permit the delivery of 100% oxygen at ambient pressures that are greater than atmospheric. This allows dissolved oxygen in the blood and clear fluids to be increased by up to 20 times normal levels. This additional oxygen in solution is almost sufficient to meet tissue needs without contribution from oxygen bound to hemoglobin and is responsible for most of the beneficial effects of this therapy. Originating from actual clinical experience, the Series III design criteria was simple : to respond to the actual needs of the patient. For example, geriatric patients with limb and life threatening decubitus ulcers with their unique positioning requirements to reduce or eliminate pressure and sheer on the wound were special considerations. Patients with contracture deformities and large and/or obese people that require safe and secure access to and from the chamber were taken into account along with those that suffer from severe confinement anxiety and apprehension. The Series III chamber is designed around the needs of the patient with correct ergonomic positioning for all patients. The "zero gravity" astronaut-style seat gives the highest degree of comfort to patients during their 90-minutes treatment sessions no matter what their size or weight. Sheer and pressure points on the patients are avoided. Potential for aspiration is reduced or eliminated. Both walk-in and critical care patients are easily loaded and slid into the chamber. Stress-free loading is an important part of patient and technician satisfaction. The seat can be quickly removed and the chamber converted to the "play-pen" style for junior patients.