GB2513371A

GB2513371A - Improvements in Hypoxic and Hyperoxic Gas Generators

Info

Publication number: GB2513371A
Application number: GB1307449.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Vincent
Original assignee: SPORTING EDGE UK Ltd
Current assignee: SPORTING EDGE UK Ltd
Priority date: 2013-04-25
Filing date: 2013-04-25
Publication date: 2014-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-25
Also published as: GB201307449D0; GB2513371B

Abstract

A gas delivery system 1 for generating and supplying hypoxic gas 8 and hyperoxic gas 9 to a user has a fluid flow controller 5 controlling the flow of ambient air from a compressor 3 to a gas separator 6, for example using pressure swing adsorption, and for controlling the supply of hyperoxic gas 9 from the separator 6 to a storage vessel 12 and the supply of hypoxic gas 8 to an outlet port 7 to a user or back to the fluid flow controller 5 and on to a concentration controller 13 that diverts a proportion of the hypoxic gas 8 and recirculates it back through the gas separator 6 - allowing the user to control the concentration of oxygen within the hypoxic gas and provide a supply of hypoxic gas with variable oxygen content to the user as well as a supply of hyperoxic gas.

Description

Improvements in Hypoxic and Hyperoxic Gas Generators This invention pertains generally to the field of hypoxic gas and hyperoxic gas generators. and in particular hypoxic generators for supplying hypoxic gas with variable concentration of oxygen to a user.

Hypoxic generators are used during hypoxic therapy by individuals to obtain the benefits in physical performance and wellbeing through improved oxygen metabolism. A hypoxic generator is a device that is used to depnve the body of an adequate oxygen supply. These generators comprise apparatus to provide reduced oxygen. or hypoxic air to a user for active or passive simulated altitude training, whilst also providing supplemental oxygen for assisted respiration and recovery. Hypoxic gas typically contains less than 21% oxygen concentration.

Incorporating some element of exposure to reduced oxygen atmospheres into a training program can be beneficial in terms of performance and general well being. It has become a widely used element of naining for elite athletes and is starting to become used at lower levels as well as for pre-acclimatisation before travelling to high altitude climates and for maintaining fitness levels when suffering from injury.

1-lypoxic generator systems for use by individuals typically deliver hypoxic gas to a user through a respiratory mask or through a tent placed over the head or body of the user. These systems typically utilise pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology as this allows oxygen to be stripped from the supply air stream whilst retaining humidity and carbon dioxide levels. However, because of the suscepdbiity of the substances used in this technology to suffer performance degradation as a result of high levels of humidity in the supply air, there is a risk of irrecoverable reduced performance or even complete failure.

There is therefore a need to reduce, or control, the impact of high levels of humidity that occur from time to time in order to eliminate this common failure mechanism.

PSA gas generation systems typically incorporate a plurality of valves through the system, or a motorised rotary valve, in order to control the pressure, direction and distribution of the ambient air being converted to hypoxic gas. Some systems on the market indude 4 or more solenoid valves through the system. The high numbers of valves increase the likelihood of failure as they can become worn or inoperative. There is a need to reduce the number of valves required by a system, to improve the efficiency and overall reliability of the system.

The by-product of such hypoxic gas generation devices is oxygen enhanced gas, also known as hyperoxic gas. This gas is typically discarded, and no use is made of such a vakable by-product. There is a need to make use of this by-product, particularly since oxygen enhanced gas can be of considerable benefit in exercise recovery or other medical applications.

The prior art shows a number of devices which attempt to address these needs in various ways.

PP 898 486 (Kotliar) discloses an apparatus for providing reduced-oxygen air to a user. The apparatus comprises an oxygen extraction system, and hypoxic gas delivery line coupled to a respiratory mask. The apparatus incorporates a compressor to deliver air under pressure, and a gas-collecting tank with delivery line outlet and recirculation line outlet. This recirculation line outlet provides means to deliver the hypoxic gas back through the oxygen extraction system. This disclosure makes use of a surge tank and flow mix regulator to divert a portion of the hypoxic air produced by a pressure swing adsorption unit back around the system, for a second time, in order to remove more oxygen. The oxygen enhanced air is discarded as a by-product of the system.

Whilst the prior art appears to address the issue of regulating and altering the oxygen concentration evels of the generated hypoxic gas, this prior art does not provide means to control the humidity of the air passing through the system. The prior art appears to address the issue of controlling the concentration of oxygen within the generated hypoxic gas, however it does not provide a solution to allowing a user to control the oxygen concentration in the generated hypoxic gas. The prior art found comprise systems and apparatus that incorporate a considerable number of valves. which is likely to increase the risk of failure and therefore decrease the reliability of the system.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a hypoxic gas generation system with improved reliability and decreased risk of failure that provides means for the user to control the concentration of the generated hypoxic gas. The present invention aims to address the issues with high humidity ambient air, another common failure mechanism of existing systems, whilst also providing a secondary use for the by-product of the hypoxic gas generation system that comprises the hyperoxic gas.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas delivery system for generating and supplying hypoxic gas and hyperoxic gas to a user, the delivery system comprising: -at least one ambient air inlet; -an air compressor downstream of said ambient air inlet for compressing the ambient air; -fluid flow control means in fluid communication with the air compressor for controfling the flow of ambient air and supplying said ambient air to at least one gas separation means, said fluid flow control means in fluid communication with at least one outlet port for supplying hypoxic gas from the gas separation means to the at least one outlet port; and -the at least one gas separation means for separating the ambient air into hypoxic gas and hyperoxic gas, provided with a first outlet for supplying the hypoxic gas back to the fluid flow control means and a second outlet for supplying hyperoxic gas to a storage vessel, whereby said fluid flow control means is in fluid communication with a concentration control means that allows the user to control the concentration of oxygen within the hypoxic gas, whereby, in use, said concentration control means diverts a proportion of the hypoxic gas back through the at least one gas separation means, such diversion providing a supply of hypoxic gas with variable oxygen content to the user.

Preferably, the fluid flow control means comprises a solenoid valve.

The solenoid valve may comprise two output ports with one port providing feedback of hypoxic air to the input.

The s&enoid valve maybe movable between a first position and a second position, whereby in a first position the solenoid valve supplies compressed air from the air compressor to the at least one gas separation means, and in a second position supplies hypoxic gas from the at least one gas separation means to the at least one outlet port.

Preferably. the solenoid valve distributes the compressed air between multiple gas separation means, and receives hypoxic gas from said multiple gas separation means.

The concentration control means may comprise a flow control ball valve for regulating recirculation of the hypoxic gas to vary the oxygen concentration of the hypoxic gas from the at least one outlet port.

Preferably. the air compressor is in fluid communication with an air cooling means for condensing water vapour in the compressed air.

The air cooling means may comprise a fan-cooled radiator.

Preferably, the air cooling means is in fluid communication with a water removal filter for removing condensed water vapour from the compressed air.

The water removal filter may incorporate an automatic drain for releasing condensed water vapour that has been retained in the filter.

The released condensed water vapour may be absorbed and evaporated back into the atmosphere using the heat generated by the air compression process.

Preferably, the at least one gas separation means is a pressure swing adsorption unit.

The pressure swing adsorption unit may comprise at least one molecular sieve.

The pressure swing adsorption unit may comprise at least one heating means for preventing condensation within said pressure swing adsorption unit.

The storage vessel for hyperoxic gas may comprise an air tank.

In fluid communication with the storage vessel may be at least one respiratory filter for removing contaminants from the hyperoxic gas.

The storage vessel may incorporate a flow pressure regulator for supp'ying the hyperoxic gas to a user.

The at least one outlet port may be in fluid communication with a user delivery means.

The user delivery means may comprise a mask system.

Alternatively, the user delivery means may comprise a tent.

The at east one outlet port maybe connected to a feed fine.

whereby said feed line compnses a silencer andlor reservoir.

Preferably. the concentration control means comprises a ball valve, said ball valve being movable between an open position and a closed position to alter the oxygen concentration of hypoxic gas being delivered to the user.

A hypoxic and hyperoxic generator comprises a housing containing the gas delivery system.

For a better understanding of the invention aiid to show how 1 0 embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. in which: Figure i shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of a hypoxic and hyperoxic gas delivery system showing a sing'e ambient air inlet; Figure 2 shows the flow diagram of the hypoxic gas delivery system of Figure 1, with an ambient air inlet and air ifflet filter; Figure 3 shows the flow diagram of the hypoxic gas delivery system of Figure 1, provided with a cooling means and hyperoxic gas storage vessel; Figure 4 shows the flow diagram of the hypoxic gas deliveiy system of Figure 1 provided with a water removal filter and automatic drain; Figure 5 shows the gas delivery system with a user delivery means for the hypoxic gas and respiratory filter for the hyperoxic gas; Figure 6 shows one embodiment of a gas separation means for the gas delivery system with dual pressure swing adsorption units being alternatively fed with fluid from a solenoid valxe, each pressure swing adsorption unit comprises at least one molecular sieve and at least one heating means; Figure 7 shows one embodiment of a user delivery means for the hypoxic gas, comprising a feed line with reservoir/silencer, oxygen concentration measurement means and a user interface; and, Figure 8 shows one embodiment of a gas defivery system for generating and supplying both hypoxic and hyperoxic gas to a user.

In the figures like references denote like or corresponding parts.

As shown in Figure 1. the gas delivery system I in its basic form comprises an ambient air inlet 2, an air compressor 3 for compressing the ambient air drawn in through the air inlet 2, a fluid flow control means 5 for receiving the compressed air 4. and controlling distribution of this compressed air 4 to the gas separation means 6. The gas separation means 6 comprises means to separate the compressed air 4 into hypoxic gas 8 and hyperoxic gas 9. The hypoxic gas 8 is passed back through a first opening 11 to the fluid flow control means 5, and the hyperoxic gas 9 is passed through a second opening 10 in the gas separation means 6. The fluid flow control means S distributes the hypoxic gas 8 between an outlet port 7 for use by a user, or when required distnbutes a desired quantity of hypoxic gas 8 through a concentration control means 13 and back through the air compressor 3 of the gas delivery system 1. This portion of hypoxic gas 8 is passed through the gas delivery system for a further time, removing more of the oxygen content from the hypoxic gas 8, and thereby altering the oxygen concentration of the hypoxic gas 8 that exits from the outlet port 7 and is delivered to the user.

The fluid flow control means S is provided to channel air from the air compressor 3 to the gas separation means 6, where it is allowed to pressurise and the adsorption process begins. The fluid flow control means 5 switches between supplying air to the gas separation means 6, and releasing the air by depressurising the gas separation means 6. When the air is released, hypoxic gas 8 flows back through the fluid flow control means 5 for redistribution. Hyperoxic gas 9 is released through a separate outlet. The fluid flow control means 5 may comprise a single unit with two s&enoid activating mechanisms, or it may comprise a plurality of valves. It may also comprise a rotary valve that is motor driven.

Figure 2 shows another arrangement of gas delivery system i that incorporates at least one filter 26 for filtering the ambient air entering through the ambient air inlet 2. Figure 2 shows one ambient air inlet 2, but there may be multiple ambient air ifflets 2 providing the gas delivery system 1 with a sufficient supply of ambient air. The filter 26 is provided to remove dust, insects, debris.

detritus, particles and other unwanted matter from the ambient air on entry to the gas delivery system I. This filter 26 is an optional element of the gas delivery system 1, although where the ambient air is likely to contain matter that could affect the running of the gas delivery system 1, at least one means of removing this matter from the gas delivery system I is desirable.

A concentration control means 13 is provided to control recircubtion of the hypoxic gas 8 back through the system, to remove more oxygen from the hypoxic gas 8 thus lowering the concentration of oxygen within this gas. The concentration control means 13 may comprise a valve, and in one embodiment this valve may comprise a ball valve. The user is able to control the concentration of oxygen within the hypoxic gas 8 that is being delivered by manually adjusting the position of the ball valve. By moving the ball valve to a fully open position, for an example, the oxygen concentrafion in the hypoxic gas 8 is 13.5%. When moved to a fufly dosed position, the resulting oxygen concentration of hpoxic gas 8 is 15%. This allows oxygen concentrations within the range of 13.5% to 15% of the hypoxic gas 8 to be delivered to the user, an optimum range for training purposes.

Figure 3 shows the hyperoxic gas 9 passing through the second opening 10 of the gas separation means 6 where it is held in a storage vessel 12.

This storage vessel 12 may comprise an air tank, and the hyperoxic gas 9 that it

II

I

contains may be inhaled by a user for further medical benefits at a later date, or may be made of use for other medical purposes, rather than being simply discarded.

Figure 3 shows an inline air cooling means 14 that makes up another addition to the gas delivery system 1. This air cooling means 14 may comprise a finned radiator with electric fan cooling, sufficient to cool the compressed air 4 passing through the cooling means 14, to condense water vapour from the compressed air 4. If the ambient air is of high humidity, the water vapour that it carries can cause problems to the mechanical components of the gas delivery system 1. This is a common failure mechanism of existing gas delivery systems 1, and therefore this air cooling means 14 aims to condense the water vapour, enabling it to be removed and thereby decrease the risk of failure of the gas delivery system 1.

Fig 4 shows a water removal filter (15) coupled to the air cooling means 14 for removing condensed water droplets from the cooled airflow, and an automatic drain 16 for extracting these water droplets from the gas delivery system I. The outlet of the automatic drain is fed to an evaporation means 27 that absorbs the water and allows it to evaporate back into the atmosphere using the heat generated by the compressor process, thereby avoiding the requirement for drainage or water collection within the system.

Figure 5 shows one embodiment of a means of a user making use of the hyperoxic gas 9. The storage vessel 12 for the hyperoxic gas 9 includes a pressure regulator (19) to provide a steady flow of hyperoxic gas (9) to a user via a respiratory filter (20) for removing contaminants. This allows a user to access the hyperoxic gas 9 as part of their rehabilitation or training program The respiratory filter (20) may be coupled to a feed line and mask or cannula delivery system, not shown, or may supply the hyperoxic gas 9 to a controlled atmosphere, such as within a tent or confined space, again not shown in the figure. Figure 5 also shows the outlet port 7 of the fluid flow control means 5 in fluid communication with a user delivery means 21. This user dehvery means 21 may comprise a mask based gas delivery system. or may comprise a portable tent based system. It may also comprise other suitable alternatives that allow a user to hihale the hypoxic gas 8.

Figure 6 shows one embodiment of the gas separation means 6, comprising two pressure swing adsorption vessels. Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is a means of separating gases from a mixture of gases by means of cycfic pressure changes. Each of these vessels incorporates at least one molecular sieve material 17 such as zeolite, to adsorb the target gas when pressurised. The process then swings to low pressure to release the adsorbed material. Zeolite attracts nitrogen, and therefore this nitrogen is absorbed whilst the oxygen from the air passes through the molecular sieve 17. Each vessel therefore operates through an alternating cycle of pressurisation (adsorption of nitrogen) and pressure release (release of adsorbed nitrogen).

Also incorporated within or attached to each vessel may be a heating means 18. This heating means 18 may comprise at least one electrical heater element that warms the PSA chamber to avoid condensation of residual water vapour.

Figure 7 shows one embodiment of user delivery means 2i, comprising a feed line 22 that is in fluid comnmnication with the outlet port 7 of the fluid flow control means 5. The feed line 22 transports the hypoxic gas 8 of 1 0 the desired oxygen concentration through a reservoir/silencer 23, through a further respiratory filter 24, if required. and on to the user delivery means 21. To adjust the oxygen concentration level of the hypoxic gas 8, the user manually alters the concentration control means 13. Where the concentration control means i3 is a ball valve, the user manua'ly manipulates this valve between a range of positions to deliver a different concentration of oxygen within the hypoxic gas 8. This allows the user direct control of concentration of hypoxic gas 8, whilst also allowing this concentration of hypoxic gas 8 to be variable between a fixed range of values.

Figure 8 shows one example of a complete hypoxic and hyperoxic gas delivery system 1, with two PSA vessels, and the fluid flow control means 5 directing compressed air alternately between the two vessels. The gas delivery system I will likely be supplied within a housing unit, thus comprising a single machine that is able to generate both hypoxic gas 8 and hyperoxic gas 9 to a user.

In this specification, the word "comprise" has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features.

All of the features enclosed in this specitication (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features andlor steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. unless express'y stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (induding any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A gas delivery system for generating and supplying hypoxic gas and hyperoxic gas to a user, the delivery system comprising: -at least one ambient air inlet; -an air compressor downstream of said ambient air inlet for compressing the ambient air; -fluid flow control means in fluid communication with the air compressor for controlling the flow of ambient air and supp'ying said ambient air to at least one gas separation means, said fluid flow control means in fluid communication with at least one outlet por for supplying hypoxic gas from the gas separation means to the at least one outlet port; and -the at least one gas separation means for separating the ambient air into hypoxic gas and hyperoxic gas, provided with a first outlet for supplying the hypoxic gas back to the fluid flow control means and a second outlet for supplying hyperoxic gas to a storage vessel, whereby said fluid flow control means is in fluid communication with a concentration control means that allows the user to control the concentration of oxygen within the hypoxic gas, whereby, in use, said concentration control means diverts a proportion of the hypoxic gas back through the at least one gas separation means, such diversion providing a supply of hypoxic gas with variable oxygen content to the user.
2. A gas delivery system according to dairn I, wherein the fluid flow control means comprises a solenoid valve.
3. A gas delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the solenoid valve comprises two output ports with one port providing feedback of hypoxic air to the input.
4. A gas delivery system according to dairns 2 or 3, wherein the solenoid valve is movable between a first position and a second position, whereby in a first position the solenoid valve supplies compressed air from the air compressor to the at least one gas separation means, and in a second position supplies hypoxic gas from the at least one gas separation means to the at least one outlet port.
5. A gas delivery system according to daim 4, wherein the solenoid valve distnbutes the compressed air between multiple gas separation means, and receives hypoxic gas from said multiple gas separation means.
6. A gas delivery system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the concentration control means comprises a flow control ball valve for regulating recirculation of the hypoxic gas to vary the oxygen concentration of the hypoxic gas from the at least one outlet port.
7. A gas delivery system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air compressor is in fluid communication with an air cooling means for condensing water vapour in the compressed air.
8. A gas delivery system according to daim 7, wherein the air cooling means comprises a fan-cooled radiator.
9. A gas delivery system according to claims 7 or 8, wherein the air cooling means is in fluid communication with a water removal filter for removing condensed water vapour from the compressed air.
10. A gas delivery system according to daim c,wherein the water removal filter incorporates an automatic drain for releasing condensed water vapour that has been retained in the filter.
II. A gas delivery system according to claim 9, wherein the released condensed water vapour is absorbed and evaporated back into the atmosphere using the heat generated by the air compression process.
12. A gas delivery system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one gas separation means is a pressure swing adsorption unit.
13. A gas delivery system according to claim 12, wherein the pressure swing adsorption unit comprises at east one molecular sieve.
14. A gas delivery system according to claims 12 or 13, wherein the pressure swing adsorption unit comprises at least one heating means for preventing condensation within said pressure swing adsorption unit.I
15. A gas delivery system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage vessel for hyperoxic gas comprises an air tank.
16. A gas delivery system according to claims 15, wherein in fluid communication with the storage vessel is at least one respiratory filter for removing contaminants from the hyperoxic gas.
17. A gas delivery system according to claims 15 or 16, wherein the storage vessel incorporates a flow pressure regulator for supplying the hyperoxic gas to a user.
18. A gas delivery system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one outlet port is in fluid communication with a user delivery means.
19. A gas delivery system according to daim 18, wherein the user delivery means is a mask system.
20. A gas delivery system according to daim 18, wherein the user delivery means comprises a tent.
21. A gas delivery system according to any one of the preceding claims.wherein the at least one outlet port is connected to a feed line, whereby said feed line comprises a silencer and/or reservoir.I
22. A gas delivery system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the concentration control means comprises a ball valve, said ball valve being movable anywhere between a fully open position and a fully closed position to alter the oxygen concentration of hypoxic gas being delivered to the user.
23. A hypoxic and hyperoxic generator compnsing a housing containing the gas delivery system of any one of the preceding dairns.
24. A gas delivery system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.