Journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society; Vol. 37, No. 1, Jan-Feb, 2010

This report describes how 27 patients with severe traumatic brain injury were safely treated, monitored and managed in a monoplace chamber that was compressed with air to 1.5 atmospheres absolute (152 kPa). A total of 75 hyperbaric oxygen treatments were delivered using the monoplace system described, with all patients receiving 100% oxygen via mechanical ventilation. Specific pieces of equipment, components and features were selected, and modifications were interfaced to safely and effectively treat these critically ill patients in a monoplace chamber. Patient monitoring included cardiovascular and ventilatory parameters as well as intracranial pressure, brain tissue oxygen levels, brain temperature and cerebral microdialysis. The chamber and all the supporting equipment for ventilating, monitoring and managing the patient functioned well.

Replacing or refurbishing one or more of the support systems used in hyperbaric oxygen therapy can provide improved safety, lower maintenance costs, and improved efficiency and patient comfort. Modern versions of the following systems are substantially improved over previous generations of equipment: