HBOT involves the administration of 100% oxygen at a greater-than-normal atmospheric pressure delivered in a hyperbaric chamber. Hyperbaric chambers are pressurized capsules that provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) medical treatment.
There are various types of hyperbaric chambers. Some chambers, for example, are designed to offer treatments in the field for acute altitude sickness or decompression sickness. Other chambers are permanently installed in clinics to offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy to athletes or to treat various illnesses.
The most common types are hard and soft HBOT chambers and multiplace and monoplace HBOT chambers.
Ultimately, each type of hyperbaric oxygen chamber offers benefits, including the number of patients they can accommodate, the cost, and the pressure level they provide. This guide explores common types of HBOT capsules and their uses.
What Is a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chamber?
Hyperbaric chambers are specialized medical devices that administer pressurized hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
This treatment involves inhaling pure oxygen within a pressurized environment. Several types of hyperbaric chambers are available, including horizontal and vertical chambers. Each of these chambers has its advantages and disadvantages.
What Are the Types of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chambers?
There are six main types of hyperbaric chambers. Here’s a short overview of the differences:
1. Soft Hyperbaric Chambers
Soft hyperbaric chambers, also called mild hyperbaric chambers, are portable, flexible, and soft devices sealed with a zipper. They are made from durable materials, and these chambers were initially designed to transport and give on-the-go treatment to divers and mountaineers.
Unlike hard hyperbaric chambers, these deliver only 24 percent oxygen and are primiarly used for their portability.
Pros:
- Portable and easy to set up
- Affordable
- Useful for emergency purposes
- Extremely helpful in difficult-to-reach areas such as mountaineering or deep sea diving
Cons:
- Delivers limited oxygen (i.e., 24%), while the body requires 100% for efficient healing
- No recommended for long-term medical care or treating severe conditions
- Prone to wear-and-tear
2. Hard Hyperbaric Chamber
Hard HBOT chambers are made from solid metal-like materials. Hard-sided HBOT chambers provide a higher oxygen concentration than soft-shell chambers. They can deliver up to 100% oxygen, for example.
The FDA approves hard chambers to treat various medical conditions, including wound healing after surgery and carbon monoxide poisoning to infection.
Furthermore, recent research has shown hard chambers can help facilitate wound healing after cosmetic procedures, and support treatment for cancer, anti-aging therapy, and traumatic brain injuries.
Pros:
- Provides up to 100% oxygen
- Durable, sleeker, and more comfortable than soft HBOT capsules
- Requires a controlled environment and dedicated healthcare physicians
- Recommended for severe medical conditions, such as carbon oxide poisoning
Cons:
- Hard hyperbaric chambers are costlier than soft HBO chambers
- Not portable and require a dedicated space for their usage
- Requires staff to operate and manage
3. Horizontal Hyperbaric Chamber
Horizontal hyperbaric chambers accommodate patients in a lying-down position. When the patient enters the chamber, they lie down, and the treatment commences. In most cases, it is recommended to close the eyes during therapy.
These horizontal chambers can be soft or hard chambers and are best suited for individuals who prefer to lie down or who may have difficulty sitting upright for extended periods.
Pros:
- Highly comfortable for patients who have mobility problems or are unable to sit straight
- A more relaxing posture for treatment
- As the patient must lie down, this allows for better and even distribution of oxygen throughout the body
- Horizontal chambers are extremely common, and most clinics prefer them
Cons:
- Requires more space due to horizontal orientation
4. Vertical Hyperbaric Chamber
Vertical hyperbaric chambers are available in both soft and hard versions. They are designed for patients to sit or stand upright during treatment and are commonly used in clinical settings.
Pros:
- Require less space compared to horizontal hyperbaric chambers
- More accessible for patients
Cons:
- Can be tiring for patients, because they must stand or sit for long periods
5. Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber
A monoplace chamber is a pressurized chamber that accommodates one person at a time. Patients lay down inside these chambers and are subjected to 100% oxygen at higher atmospheric pressure levels. The pressure level can ultimately be set to meet specific medical needs.
Such control of the environment allows doctors to provide the greatest possible therapeutic outcome over time. This helps patients with various conditions, such as chronic wounds, decompression sickness, and stroke-induced paralysis.
Pros:
- Monoplace chambers offer advanced functionalities
- More spacious for individuals (compared to multiplace chambers)
- Allows for more comfort and relaxation during HBOT sessions
- Recommended by specialists (over multiplace chambers)
Cons:
- Monoplace HBOT chambers tend to cost more
6. Multiplace Chambers
Multiplace chambers can simultaneously accommodate two or more people for treatment with compressed air or pure oxygen. Patients must wear a special mask to breathe the oxygen.
An organized team of technicians is required to operate the chamber and monitor its function while patients receive their treatments.
Pros:
- Accommodates more than one person in the chamber room.
- This type of therapy is often more cost-effective and convenient for patients and caregivers
Cons:
- Patients must sit in the same position for long periods
- Doesn’t offer privacy to patients and they may feel claustrophobic
What Can a Hyperbaric Chamber Be Used For?
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers treat a variety of medical ailments. In fact, the FDA has clear hyperbaric oxygen therapy for conditions like decompression sickness, wounds, infections, and many other conditions.
Some uses for hyperbaric oxygen chambers include:
1. Wounds and Related Injuries
HBOT is effective in promoting wound healing for various conditions, from diabetic foot ulcers to radiation injuries. It delivers increased oxygen levels to the bloodstream, allowing your body to repair and more effectively by regenerating tissue. Thus, HBOT promotes faster healing.
2. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
HBOT is a crucial treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning. It quickly removes carbon monoxide from the bloodstream, preventing tissue damage and neurological issues associated with exposure to this toxic gas.
3. Radiation Therapy Side Effects
Hyperbaric chambers are commonly used to manage the side effects of radiation therapy. These side effects include radiation-induced tissue damage, delayed wound healing, radiation necrosis, etc. HBOT helps to promote the oxygenation of damaged tissues, mitigates inflammation, and stimulates tissue repair mechanisms.
4. Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury
According to a variety of research, HBOT may encourage neurological recovery in individuals suffering from conditions like stroke or traumatic brain injury. It enhances oxygen supply to the brain, helps minimize inflammation and tissue damage, and promotes neuronal regeneration.
What Are the Considerations for Choosing a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chamber?
The most common type of hyperbaric chamber is the monoplace, used in medical facilities, clinics, athletic training facilities, and spas worldwide. These chambers are more accessible to operate and tend to cost comparatively less than multiplace chambers.
Regarding which type to choose, most consumers, spas, and wellness facilities must decide between hard-sided and soft-sided chambers. For at-home use, soft chambers have been traditionally preferred due to their cost and portability.
Soft chambers help improve athletic performance or treat acute altitude sickness; however, their efficacy for wound healing, neurogenerative disease may be limited due to the lower oxygen levels.
Hard HBOT chambers like Hue Light hyperbaric oxygen capsules have been shown to provide a range of benefits, including:
- Accelerates wound healing
- Expedites nitrogen gas excretion from within the body
- Helps to improve cognitive function
- Improves stagnant hypoxic state of the cells
- Increases the effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments for treating malignant tumors
- It helps leukocytes (white blood cells) fight off infections, including gas gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, osteomyelitis, and many more
- HBOT helps treat acute sports-related brain injuries (like concussions)
Guidance from Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare providers are essential in recommending the correct type of hyperbaric chamber and collaborating with professionals to ensure the best choice for patients. Here’s how they can help the process:
1. Providing clinical expertise
2. Evaluating patient’s condition and treatment course
3. Assessing the depth of the ailment and necessary treatment plan
4. Adding expert guidance from related healthcare advisors (e.g., trauma doctors)
5. Offering continuous support, monitoring, and treatment evaluation
6. Ensuring patient-centric care and treatment plan
Why Choose Hue Light USA for Your Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
At Hue Light USA, our monoplace hard-sided hyperbaric oxygen therapy capsule offers state-of-the-art therapy.
HBOT is the third phase of BAHI Therapy, Hue Light’s exclusive wellness plan that includes vibration therapy, photobiomodulation light therapy, and molecular hydrogen inhalation therapy.
Our innovative approach allows high-quality treatments to take place in a comfortable environment for patients to enjoy the benefits of this revolutionary therapy. We understand the importance of staying informed, so we’re here to answer any of your questions. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you, so don’t hesitate to reach out!