All Hyperbaric Chambers are not Created Equal
Urban Wellness Group is the only outpatient clinic in Portland to use hard shell hyperbaric chambers.
Urban Wellness Group was the first outpatient clinic in the Portland area to use FDA cleared three atmosphere (3 ATA) hard shell hyperbaric chambers. These hyperbaric chambers are analogous to chambers that are used in major medical research centers and hospitals. It is very important to understand the differences between hard shell and soft shell hyperbaric chambers so that you can have the best possible treatment.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has gained prominence in medical practice as a non-invasive treatment method for various conditions, including chronic wounds, decompression sickness, and neurological disorders. Hospitals have strict guidelines regarding what conditions they are able to treat and for many years treatment of off label conditions was very limited. In the last 20 years there has been a significant increase in accessibility and interest in treatment of off label conditions with HBOT. There are now many clinics that are offering cost effective ultra low pressure “soft” or “portable” hyperbaric chambers. These chambers have evolved from the mountaineering industry and were primarily invented for altitude sickness. Some clinics also offer hard shell chambers that can be used in an outpatient environment.
When evaluating what chamber would be best suited for your treatment, it is important to understand the difference between hard shell and soft shell hyperbaric oxygen chambers. Both designs offer unique advantages, however hard shell chambers stand out as superior in terms of safety, durability, and therapeutic effectiveness.
Hard shell hyperbaric oxygen chambers are known for their robust construction and enhanced safety features. These chambers typically consist of a rigid metal or acrylic shell, ensuring structural integrity even at higher pressures. The rigid construction minimizes the risk of chamber collapse or deformation, providing a secure environment for patients undergoing HBOT. In contrast, soft shell chambers are composed of flexible materials, making them more susceptible to wear and tear, potential leaks, and a higher risk of structural failure under pressure.
The construction of the hard shell chambers allows patients to reach a much more therapeutically beneficial pressure and also is rated for high flow 100% pure oxygen. A soft chamber can only deliver concentrated oxygen at much lower flow, which will not allow maximum therapeutic effect even at a lower pressure. Even at 1.3 ATA which is the standard pressure for a soft chamber, it will be more therapeutically beneficial to treat at 1.3 ATA in a hard shell chamber as the oxygen flow is much greater.
The three parameters that guide the oxygen delivery to tissues are the concentration of oxygen, flow rate of the oxygen being delivered and the pressure at which the treatment is being administered. In hard shell chamber we can increase the flow rate of oxygen to make sure that optimal flow rate of 100% pure medical grade oxygen is consistent. In a soft or portable chamber a 10L oxygen concentrator is used and there is always back pressure coming from the chamber which significantly diminishes this flow. Best case scenario, the concentration of oxygen being delivered in a soft chamber via concentrator will be 50-60% of what is achievable in a hard shell hyperbaric chamber. One must also keep in mind that we can only compare oxygen delivery in these two chambers at 1.3 ATA because a soft chamber cannot go beyond that. In a hard shell chamber we can deliver high volumes of 100% pure oxygen and increase pressure all the way to 2.4 ATA.
While both hard shell and soft shell hyperbaric oxygen chambers offer valuable treatment options, the superior attributes of hard shell chambers in terms of safety, durability, and therapeutic effectiveness cannot be overlooked. The rigid construction of hard shell chambers provides a secure and stable environment, minimizing risks associated with pressure variations and structural failure. The cost of treatment in a hard shell chamber can be more than a soft shell, but the therapeutic benefit is much greater and overall worth the investment in the patient’s health. In addition, patients may have the option of bringing another person in the chamber with them which can make the overall cost of treatment close to the same as with a low pressure soft chamber.
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