HYPERBARIC CHAMBER A M EDICAL D ICTIONARY , B IBLIOGRAPHY , AND A NNOTATED R ESEARCH G UIDE TO I NTERNET R E FERENCES
J AMES N. P ARKER , M.D. AND P HILIP M. P ARKER , P H .D., E DITORS
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ICON Health Publications ICON Group International, Inc. 4370 La Jolla Village Drive, 4th Floor San Diego, CA 92122 USA Copyright 2004 by ICON Group International, Inc. Copyright 2004 by ICON Group International, Inc. All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright. No part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. Last digit indicates print number: 10 9 8 7 6 4 5 3 2 1
Publisher, Health Care: Philip Parker, Ph.D. Editor(s): James Parker, M.D., Philip Parker, Ph.D. Publisher's note: The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem. As new medical or scientific information becomes available from academic and clinical research, recommended treatments and drug therapies may undergo changes. The authors, editors, and publisher have attempted to make the information in this book up to date and accurate in accord with accepted standards at the time of publication. The authors, editors, and publisher are not responsible for errors or omissions or for consequences from application of the book, and make no warranty, expressed or implied, in regard to the contents of this book. Any practice described in this book should be applied by the reader in accordance with professional standards of care used in regard to the unique circumstances that may apply in each situation. The reader is advised to always check product information (package inserts) for changes and new information regarding dosage and contraindications before prescribing any drug or pharmacological product. Caution is especially urged when using new or infrequently ordered drugs, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements, alternative therapies, complementary therapies and medicines, and integrative medical treatments. Cataloging-in-Publication Data Parker, James N., 1961Parker, Philip M., 1960Hyperbaric Chamber: A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References / James N. Parker and Philip M. Parker, editors p. cm. Includes bibliographical references, glossary, and index. ISBN: 0-497-00456-9 1. Hyperbaric Chamber-Popular works. I. Title.
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Disclaimer This publication is not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher, editors, and authors are not engaging in the rendering of medical, psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. References to any entity, product, service, or source of information that may be contained in this publication should not be considered an endorsement, either direct or implied, by the publisher, editors, or authors. ICON Group International, Inc., the editors, and the authors are not responsible for the content of any Web pages or publications referenced in this publication.
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Acknowledgements The collective knowledge generated from academic and applied research summarized in various references has been critical in the creation of this book which is best viewed as a comprehensive compilation and collection of information prepared by various official agencies which produce publications on hyperbaric chamber. Books in this series draw from various agencies and institutions associated with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and in particular, the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (OS), the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Administration on Aging (AOA), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Healthcare Financing Administration (HCFA), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Indian Health Service (IHS), the institutions of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Program Support Center (PSC), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In addition to these sources, information gathered from the National Library of Medicine, the United States Patent Office, the European Union, and their related organizations has been invaluable in the creation of this book. Some of the work represented was financially supported by the Research and Development Committee at INSEAD. This support is gratefully acknowledged. Finally, special thanks are owed to Tiffany Freeman for her excellent editorial support.
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About the Editors James N. Parker, M.D. Dr. James N. Parker received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from the University of California, Riverside and his M.D. from the University of California, San Diego. In addition to authoring numerous research publications, he has lectured at various academic institutions. Dr. Parker is the medical editor for health books by ICON Health Publications. Philip M. Parker, Ph.D. Philip M. Parker is the Eli Lilly Chair Professor of Innovation, Business and Society at INSEAD (Fontainebleau, France and Singapore). Dr. Parker has also been Professor at the University of California, San Diego and has taught courses at Harvard University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and UCLA. Dr. Parker is the associate editor for ICON Health Publications.
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About ICON Health Publications To discover more about ICON Health Publications, simply check with your preferred online booksellers, including Barnes&Noble.com and Amazon.com which currently carry all of our titles. Or, feel free to contact us directly for bulk purchases or institutional discounts: ICON Group International, Inc. 4370 La Jolla Village Drive, Fourth Floor San Diego, CA 92122 USA Fax: 858-546-4341 Web site: www.icongrouponline.com/health
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Table of Contents FORWARD .......................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 1. STUDIES ON HYPERBARIC CHAMBER............................................................................ 3 Overview........................................................................................................................................ 3 Federally Funded Research on Hyperbaric Chamber ..................................................................... 3 The National Library of Medicine: PubMed .................................................................................. 7 CHAPTER 2. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND HYPERBARIC CHAMBER ........................................... 11 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 11 National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.................................................. 11 Additional Web Resources ........................................................................................................... 16 General References ....................................................................................................................... 16 CHAPTER 3. PATENTS ON HYPERBARIC CHAMBER ........................................................................ 17 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 17 Patents on Hyperbaric Chamber .................................................................................................. 17 Patent Applications on Hyperbaric Chamber .............................................................................. 37 Keeping Current .......................................................................................................................... 38 APPENDIX A. PHYSICIAN RESOURCES ............................................................................................ 41 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 41 NIH Guidelines............................................................................................................................ 41 NIH Databases............................................................................................................................. 43 Other Commercial Databases....................................................................................................... 45 APPENDIX B. PATIENT RESOURCES ................................................................................................. 47 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 47 Patient Guideline Sources............................................................................................................ 47 Finding Associations.................................................................................................................... 49 APPENDIX C. FINDING MEDICAL LIBRARIES .................................................................................. 51 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 51 Preparation................................................................................................................................... 51 Finding a Local Medical Library.................................................................................................. 51 Medical Libraries in the U.S. and Canada ................................................................................... 51 ONLINE GLOSSARIES.................................................................................................................. 57 Online Dictionary Directories ..................................................................................................... 57 HYPERBARIC CHAMBER DICTIONARY................................................................................. 59 INDEX ................................................................................................................................................ 81
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FORWARD In March 2001, the National Institutes of Health issued the following warning: "The number of Web sites offering health-related resources grows every day. Many sites provide valuable information, while others may have information that is unreliable or misleading."1 Furthermore, because of the rapid increase in Internet-based information, many hours can be wasted searching, selecting, and printing. Since only the smallest fraction of information dealing with hyperbaric chamber is indexed in search engines, such as www.google.com or others, a non-systematic approach to Internet research can be not only time consuming, but also incomplete. This book was created for medical professionals, students, and members of the general public who want to know as much as possible about hyperbaric chamber, using the most advanced research tools available and spending the least amount of time doing so. In addition to offering a structured and comprehensive bibliography, the pages that follow will tell you where and how to find reliable information covering virtually all topics related to hyperbaric chamber, from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. Public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research studies are emphasized. Various abstracts are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information available to date on hyperbaric chamber. Abundant guidance is given on how to obtain free-of-charge primary research results via the Internet. While this book focuses on the field of medicine, when some sources provide access to non-medical information relating to hyperbaric chamber, these are noted in the text. E-book and electronic versions of this book are fully interactive with each of the Internet sites mentioned (clicking on a hyperlink automatically opens your browser to the site indicated). If you are using the hard copy version of this book, you can access a cited Web site by typing the provided Web address directly into your Internet browser. You may find it useful to refer to synonyms or related terms when accessing these Internet databases. NOTE: At the time of publication, the Web addresses were functional. However, some links may fail due to URL address changes, which is a common occurrence on the Internet. For readers unfamiliar with the Internet, detailed instructions are offered on how to access electronic resources. For readers unfamiliar with medical terminology, a comprehensive glossary is provided. For readers without access to Internet resources, a directory of medical libraries, that have or can locate references cited here, is given. We hope these resources will prove useful to the widest possible audience seeking information on hyperbaric chamber. The Editors
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From the NIH, National Cancer Institute (NCI): http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/ten-things-to-know.
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CHAPTER 1. STUDIES ON HYPERBARIC CHAMBER Overview In this chapter, we will show you how to locate peer-reviewed references and studies on hyperbaric chamber.
Federally Funded Research on Hyperbaric Chamber The U.S. Government supports a variety of research studies relating to hyperbaric chamber. These studies are tracked by the Office of Extramural Research at the National Institutes of Health.2 CRISP (Computerized Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects) is a searchable database of federally funded biomedical research projects conducted at universities, hospitals, and other institutions. Search the CRISP Web site at http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/crisp_query.generate_screen. You will have the option to perform targeted searches by various criteria, including geography, date, and topics related to hyperbaric chamber. For most of the studies, the agencies reporting into CRISP provide summaries or abstracts. As opposed to clinical trial research using patients, many federally funded studies use animals or simulated models to explore hyperbaric chamber. The following is typical of the type of information found when searching the CRISP database for hyperbaric chamber: •
Project Title: AN IN-VITRO MODEL OF PRESSURE INDUCED FIBROBLAST AGING Principal Investigator & Institution: Stanley, Andrew C.; Surgery; University of Vermont & St Agric College 340 Waterman Building Burlington, Vt 05405 Timing: Fiscal Year 2002; Project Start 01-SEP-2002; Project End 31-AUG-2003
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Healthcare projects are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and Office of Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH).
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Summary: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) affects about 5-10% of the population >65 years old. In its worse form ulcerations develop. These ulcers are chronic, indolent and recur 70% of the time. The treatment of these ulcers is largely outpatient. It involves a variety of compression dressings and paste compression wraps (Unna's boot). Most ulcers require months of therapy before healing. The cost and morbidity suffered as a direct result of CVI is significant. The exact mechanism of the pathophysiologic process is elusive. Several theories have attempted to explain the process but none have resulted in significantly improving the therapy of the disease. All theories cite venous hypertension as the inciting factor which leads to tissue changes and the resultant ulceration. Recent studies have found fibroblasts isolated from the legs of patients suffering from CVI to be prematurely aged in comparison to fibroblast isolated from uninvolved dermal tissue of the same patients. These diseased fibroblasts had a much higher level of senescent cells. To better study the relationship between venous hypertension, CVI and premature aging, a specially constructed pressure incubator has been constructed. With this incubator, it is possible to culture cells at 200mmHg above atmospheric pressure. Preliminary evidence confirms the pressure/aging relationship in that populations of neonatal fibroblasts grown at 80mmHg and 120mmHg above atmospheric pressure had high rates of senescence after only 10-14 days of growth. With this incubator the pressure aging phenomenon can be better studied. After adjustments of pressure and length of time in culture, appropriate dose response data can be generated. With the use of B- galactosidase staining and quantification of fibronectin production senescence rates can be objectively studied. Next, the ability of pressurized fibroblasts to enter mitosis and increase DNA synthesis will be studied using flow cytometry. Finally, the potential to reverse this aging process will be studied by adding external growth factors and reversing conditions. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen •
Project Title: CORE--ANIMAL Principal Investigator & Institution: Fagan, Karen A.; University of Colorado Hlth Sciences Ctr P.O. Box 6508, Grants and Contracts Aurora, Co 800450508 Timing: Fiscal Year 2003; Project Start 01-APR-2003; Project End 31-MAR-2008 Summary: (provided by applicant): Function: This core provides a range of services that are essential to the success of the overall program: * In vivo studies of pulmonary and systematic circulation. * Operation of hypo- and hyperbaric chambers. * Coordination of management of animals in large animal hypobaric chambers at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. * Maintenance of breeding colonies for inbred mice. * Preparation and renewal of animal Services. Provided: In vivo studies of pulmonary and systematic circulation: The Animal Core provides a vital bridge linking in vitro studies in isolated organs and vessels and cultured cells to the in vivo setting. This permits the important test of relevance of concepts developed in reduced preparations to intact animals. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen
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Project Title: CORE--HYPERBARIC CHAMBER Principal Investigator & Institution: Thom, Stephen R.; Associate Professor; University of Pennsylvania 3451 Walnut Street Philadelphia, Pa 19104 Timing: Fiscal Year 2002 Summary: Core C is the hyperbaric chamber core for the SCOR program. There are two goals for this core. The first is to provide investigators with hyperbaric chambers for
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experimental projects. The second is to examine apparatus to optimize safety and provide technical advice on high pressure equipment in all investigators involved in SCOR-sponsored investigations. All four SCOR projects require hyperbaric chambers. The clinical project (Project 1) will utilize the therapy support mechanism for patients and the remaining three projects will use the resources present in the Chamber Core C to satisfy their requirements. There are a large number of animal-sized chambers owned by the Institute for Environmental Medicine (IFEM) that can be loaned to the primary SCOR investigators and also to investigators funded for pilot studies as part of the Developmental Research and the Career Development Programs administered by Core A. Operation of Core C presents economic advantages to the SCOR program, as investigators will not have to purchase hyperbaric chambers from commercial sources. Moreover, this mechanism will allow appropriate supervision of chamber use to assure they are being used safely. Therefore, the Chamber Core will facilitate maximal scientific productivity by the SCOR program. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen •
Project Title: CORE--SMALL ANIMAL Principal Investigator & Institution: Weil, John V.; Professor and Director; University of Colorado Hlth Sciences Ctr P.O. Box 6508, Grants and Contracts Aurora, Co 800450508 Timing: Fiscal Year 2002 Summary: The core provides several services critical to success of the overall program:. in vivo studies of pulmonary and systemic circulation. Operation of hypo- and hyperbaric chambers. Maintenance of breeding colonies for inbred rats and mice. Preparation and renewal of applications for protocols and facilities Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen
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Project Title: HEMORRHAGE/ HYPOXIA/ COLD-- AVIAN ADAPTATION Principal Investigator & Institution: Bernstein, Marvin H.; New Mexico State University Las Cruces Las Cruces, Nm 880038001 Timing: Fiscal Year 2002 Summary: This abstract is not available. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen
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Project Title: LOW LEVEL HYPERBARIC ETHANOL ANTAGONISM Principal Investigator & Institution: Alkana, Ronald L.; Professor; Molecular Pharm & Toxicology; University of Southern California 2250 Alcazar Street, Csc-219 Los Angeles, Ca 90033 Timing: Fiscal Year 2002; Project Start 01-APR-1980; Project End 28-FEB-2005 Summary: (Adapted from the Investigator's Abstract) The primary goal is to increase understanding of the initial molecular sites and mechanisms causing ethanol's behavioral effects. The specific aims address two key questions: 1) Does ethanol act by a common physico-chemical mechanism on different ethanol-sensitive ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) and 2) do "binding pockets" play a role in causing ethanol-induced changes in LGIC function. The proposal builds on previous findings demonstrating that increased atmospheric pressure (hyperbaric exposure) is a direct, highly selective ethanol antagonist. The proposed studies will use the unique physico-chemical properties and selectivity of pressure antagonism, in combination with behavioral, recombinant and electrophysiological approaches, to address these questions. The
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rationale is derived from the logic underlying the use of classical pharmacological antagonists to identify the sites and mechanisms of drug action. Specific Aim I is to develop hyperbaric 2-electrode voltage clamp techniques for measuring ethanolpressure interactions on LGIC function in the Xenopus oocyte expression system. Aim I is not a feasibility study, but will focus on transferring already established hyperbaric oocyte electrophysiology techniques to our laboratory. Specific Aim 2 tests the hypothesis that ethanol acts by a common, operationally defined as pressure sensitive, mechanism on different ligand-gated ion channels (e.g., GABA-A, GABA-rho, Glycine, n-ACh and NMDA receptors) expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Aim 2 will be accomplished by testing two interrelated predictions derived from the hypothesis. Specific Aim 3 will test the hypothesis that pressure antagonizes ethanol via acting on putative ethanol "binding" pockets in LGICs. The goal is to use a direct ethanol antagonist, pressure, in the classical manner to establish a link between the site of antagonism and the site of ethanol action. This will be accomplished by testing three predictions derived from the hypothesis on LGICs expressed in oocytes and in tadpoles. The results of Aim 2 and 3 studies will provide fundamental new insights into the relationships between ethanol's mechanism(s) of action across different LGICs and, in turn, will aid in the development of molecular models of ethanol's site(s) of action. Overall, this work will contribute to our long-term goal, which is to identify specific targets at which therapeutically relevant agents can be directed to reduce the social problems, loss of lives and tremendous economic costs resulting from the misuse and abuse of alcohol. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen •
Project Title: SENSITIVITY NEURODEGENERATION
OF
AGED
RATS
TO
NRHYPO
Principal Investigator & Institution: Jevtovic-Todorovic, Vesna; Washington University Lindell and Skinker Blvd St. Louis, Mo 63130 Timing: Fiscal Year 2002; Project Start 01-JUL-2002; Project End 30-JUN-2003 Summary: Modern medicine is faced with a growing geriatric population and with an increase in the number of elderly patients who require surgical procedures under general anesthesia. Ketamine and nitrous oxide (N2O, laughing gas) are used common as general anesthetics for patients of all ages, and in some cases are considered the agents of choice for elderly patients. Both of these agents are frequently used in combination with other general anesthetic agents, and sometimes are used in combination with one another, especially for elderly patients who cannot tolerate the cardiopulmonary depressant properties of other general anesthetics. It has been known for some time that ketamine, a non-competitive N-methyl-D- aspartate neurons of adult rats. This is a property of ketamine shares with other NMDA antagonist drugs. Over the years, N2O has been considered safe for patients of all ages, although very little insight has been gained into its mechanism of action. Recently the applicant disocver4ed that N2O acts by the same mechanism as ketamine- it blocks NMDA glutamate receptors and has all of the same properties as other NMDA antagonists-it blocks NMDA glutamate receptors and has all of the same properties as other NMDA antagonists, including the same neurotoxic properties, The applicant has also observed that when N2O is administered together with ketamine to young adult rats the two agents appear to potentiate one another's neurotoxicity, i.e., the toxicity is augmented to a degree that is greater than can be explained by simple additivity. In other pilot studies, we have observed that the NMDA antagonist, MK801, at a given dose induces much more severe brain damage in aged than in young adult rats. This raises questions about whether
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N2O and ketamine, either alone or in combination, might contribute to the postoperative delirious state (agitation, delusions, hallucinations, disorientation, confusion, memory impairment) that sometimes occurs post-operatively, and is known to occur much more frequently in elderly than young adult patients. Therefore, we propose studies in young adult and aged rats to clarify the nature and degree of risk associated with exposing the aged brain to N2O and ketamine, either individually or in combination. The experiments will be designed in a way that will help clarify the mechanism underlying the observed increased toxicity of MK801 in aged rats. In addition, we will explore pharmacological mechanisms by which the neurotoxic side effects of these two agents can be prevented. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen
The National Library of Medicine: PubMed One of the quickest and most comprehensive ways to find academic studies in both English and other languages is to use PubMed, maintained by the National Library of Medicine.3 The advantage of PubMed over previously mentioned sources is that it covers a greater number of domestic and foreign references. It is also free to use. If the publisher has a Web site that offers full text of its journals, PubMed will provide links to that site, as well as to sites offering other related data. User registration, a subscription fee, or some other type of fee may be required to access the full text of articles in some journals. To generate your own bibliography of studies dealing with hyperbaric chamber, simply go to the PubMed Web site at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed. Type “hyperbaric chamber” (or synonyms) into the search box, and click “Go.” The following is the type of output you can expect from PubMed for hyperbaric chamber (hyperlinks lead to article summaries): •
Blood pressure, blood volume regulating hormone and electrolyte responses after a 28-day confinement period in a hyperbaric chamber at 1.5 ATA. Author(s): Maillet A, Gunga HC, Gauquelin G, Kirsch K, Hope A, Gharib C. Source: Physiologist. 1992 February; 35(1 Suppl): S192-3. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=1589499
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Carbon dioxide contributes to the beneficial effect of pressurization in a portable hyperbaric chamber at high altitude. Author(s): Imray CH, Clarke T, Forster PJ, Harvey TC, Hoar H, Walsh S, Wright AD; Birmingham Medical Research Expeditionary Society. Source: Clinical Science (London, England : 1979). 2001 February; 100(2): 151-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=11171283
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PubMed was developed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The PubMed database was developed in conjunction with publishers of biomedical literature as a search tool for accessing literature citations and linking to full-text journal articles at Web sites of participating publishers. Publishers that participate in PubMed supply NLM with their citations electronically prior to or at the time of publication.
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Electrophysiologic identification of the viability of a preserved heart in a hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Kawamura T, Fukui Y. Source: Asaio Trans. 1986 July-September; 32(1): 288-90. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=3535843
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Frequency spectrum analysis of speech changes during open sea habitat and hyperbaric chamber dives. Author(s): Maitland G, Thomas JR. Source: Aerosp Med. 1974 August; 45(8): 855-9. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=4852097
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Hematology and blood chemistry in saturation diving: II. Open-sea vs. hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Philp RB, Freeman D, Francey I. Source: Undersea Biomed Res. 1975 December; 2(4): 251-65. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=1226583
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Hyperbaric chamber for evaluating hydrostatic pressure effects on tissues and cells. Author(s): Hogan PM, Ornhagen HC, Doubt TJ, Laraway BS, Morin RA, Zaharkin J. Source: Undersea Biomed Res. 1981 March; 8(1): 51-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=7222287
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Hyperbaric chamber noise during a dive to 100 ft. Author(s): Murry T. Source: The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1972 April; 51(4): 1362-5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=4402368
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Hyperbaric chamber-related decompression illness in a patient with asymptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis. Author(s): Tetzlaff K, Reuter M, Kampen J, Lott C. Source: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 1999 June; 70(6): 594-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=10373052
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Increased release of the N-terminus of the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone with increasing absolute atmospheres of pressure in a hyperbaric chamber and reversal with oxygen therapy. Author(s): Rico DM, Svendsen FJ, Huffer C, Smith M, Pierce R, Winters CJ, Vesely DL. Source: Chest. 1990 December; 98(6): 1403-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=2147139
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Noise: a hazard to divers and hyperbaric chamber personnel. Author(s): Summitt JK, Reimers SD. Source: Aerosp Med. 1971 November; 42(11): 1173-7. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5119684
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Operational use and patient monitoring in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Moon RE, Hart BB. Source: Respir Care Clin N Am. 1999 March; 5(1): 21-49. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=10205812
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Personality patterns of anxiety during occupational deep dives with long-term confinement in hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Abraini JH, Ansseau M, Bisson T, de Mendoza JL, Therme P. Source: Journal of Clinical Psychology. 1998 October; 54(6): 825-30. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=9783663
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Release of atrial natriuretic factor with increasing absolute atmospheres of pressure in a hyperbaric chamber and reversal with oxygen therapy. Author(s): Rico DM, Svendsen FJ, Huffer C, Smith M, Pierce R, Winters CJ, Vesely DL. Source: J Med. 1989; 20(5-6): 337-47. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=2534128
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Respiratory failure treated with the membrane oxygenator in the hyperbaric chamber. II. Oxygen transfer during total asphyxia at varying ambient pressures. Author(s): Weinreich A, Lipton B, Brondum T, Jacobson JH 2nd. Source: Anesthesia and Analgesia. 1970 November-December; 49(6): 977-85. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5534699
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Risk factors for symptomatic otic and sinus barotrauma in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Fitzpatrick DT, Franck BA, Mason KT, Shannon SG. Source: Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine : Journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc. 1999 Winter; 26(4): 243-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=10642071
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Some recent findings on clinical application of the hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Saito H, Ota K, Miyamoto K, Saegusa T, Murakami Y. Source: Yokohama Med Bull. 1967 October; 18(5): 161-81. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=6081788
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The monoplace hyperbaric chamber and management of decompression illness. Author(s): Li RC. Source: Hong Kong Medical Journal = Xianggang Yi Xue Za Zhi / Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. 2001 December; 7(4): 435-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=11773681
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Unusual causes of convulsions in a hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Emerson GM, Oxer HF. Source: Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine : Journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc. 1998 Summer; 25(2): 128-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=9670440
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Use of a mass spectrometer for direct respiratory gas sampling from the hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Arieli R, Daskalovic Y, Eynan M, Arieli Y, Ertracht O, Shupak A. Source: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 2001 September; 72(9): 799-804. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=11565813
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CHAPTER 2. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND HYPERBARIC CHAMBER Overview In this chapter, we will begin by introducing you to official information sources on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) relating to hyperbaric chamber. At the conclusion of this chapter, we will provide additional sources.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (http://nccam.nih.gov/) has created a link to the National Library of Medicine’s databases to facilitate research for articles that specifically relate to hyperbaric chamber and complementary medicine. To search the database, go to the following Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nccam/camonpubmed.html. Select “CAM on PubMed.” Enter “hyperbaric chamber” (or synonyms) into the search box. Click “Go.” The following references provide information on particular aspects of complementary and alternative medicine that are related to hyperbaric chamber: •
A self-contained life support system designed for use with a portable hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Kasic JF, Smith HM, Gamow RI. Source: Biomed Sci Instrum. 1989; 25: 79-81. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=2568136
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An inexpensive hyperbaric chamber for laboratory investigation of small animals. Author(s): Kennedy JH. Source: The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine. 1965 September; 66(3): 532-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5835977
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Assessment of the magnitude of anxiety in adults undergoing first oxygen treatment in a hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Clark C, Rock D, Tackett K. Source: Military Medicine. 1994 May; 159(5): 412-5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=14620414
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Case report. Pulmonary barotrauma in a hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Unsworth IP. Source: Anaesthesia. 1973 November; 28(6): 675-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=4759876
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Cryosurgery of the prostate in a hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Soanes WA, Gonder MJ. Source: The Journal of Urology. 1969 September; 102(3): 338-41. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=4185528
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Design of a versatile hyperbaric chamber assembly for the study of small animals and cell cultures. Author(s): Aftonomos BT, St Aubin PM, Foley JF. Source: Life Sciences. 1966 May; 5(10): 899-904. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5961715
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Evaluation of glucose monitoring devices in the hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Price ME Jr, Hammett-Stabler C, Kemper GB, Davis MG, Piepmeier EH Jr. Source: Military Medicine. 1995 March; 160(3): 143-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=7783938
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Experimental use of a transportable hyperbaric chamber durable for 15 psi at 3700 meters above sea level. Author(s): Saito S, Aso C, Kanai M, Takazawa T, Shiga T, Shimada H. Source: Wilderness Environ Med. 2000 Spring; 11(1): 21-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=10731903
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Fatal brain damage associated with cardiomyopathy of pregnancy, with notes on Caesarean section in a hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Ledingham IM, McBride TI, Jennett WB, Adams JH. Source: British Medical Journal. 1968 November 2; 4(626): 285-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5693910
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Hyperbaric chamber for cell suspensions and small animals. Author(s): Steier H.
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Source: Lab Pract. 1970 October; 19(10): 1035 Passim. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5473329 •
Hyperbaric chamber treatment for “locked-in' syndrome. Author(s): Newman RP, Manning EJ. Source: Archives of Neurology. 1980 August; 37(8): 529. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=7417049
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Hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Kenyon R. Source: Appl Ther. 1968 June; 10(6): 382-4. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5655321
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Hyperbaric oxygenation; the hyperbaric chamber and its pharmaceutical implications. Author(s): Loucas SP, Mehl B, Stevens J. Source: Am J Hosp Pharm. 1965 October; 22(10): 550-7. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5826556
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Intracellular measurements in a closed hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Colton JS, Freeman AR. Source: Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985). 1973 October; 35(4): 57880. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=4355141
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Management of the critically ill patient in the hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Barach P. Source: International Anesthesiology Clinics. 2000 Winter; 38(1): 153-66. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=10723674
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Massive arterial air embolism due to rupture of pulsatile assist device: successful treatment in the hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Tomatis L, Nemiroff M, Riahi M, Visser J, Visser E, Davies A, Helentjaris D, Stockinger F, Kanten D, Oosterheert M, Valk A, Blietz D. Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 1981 December; 32(6): 604-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=7316594
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Massive arterial air embolism during cardiac operation: successful treatment in a hyperbaric chamber under 3 ATA. Author(s): Lin WL, Liu CL, Li WR.
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Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 1990 December; 100(6): 928-30. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=2246918 •
Mobile hyperbaric chamber: an essential need in emergency medicine? Author(s): Rogatsky GG, Mayevsky A. Source: Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2003 December; 42(6): 849-50. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=14669778
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Noninvasive Doppler blood pressure monitoring in the monoplace hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Weaver LK, Howe S. Source: Journal of Clinical Monitoring. 1991 October; 7(4): 304-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=1744674
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Operational use and patient care in the monoplace hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Weaver LK. Source: Respir Care Clin N Am. 1999 March; 5(1): 51-92. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=10205813
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Portable flexible hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): van Niekerk GD, Murray WB. Source: South African Medical Journal. Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde. 1991 July 6; 80(1): 62. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=2063249
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Pulmonary embolism: surgery in a hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Burr LH, Trapp WG. Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 1976 August; 72(2): 306-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=957748
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Respiratory failure treated in the hyperbaric chamber with the membrane oxygenator. 3. Studies of three membranes at various flow rates and ambient pressures. Author(s): Lipton B, Weinreich A, Brondum T, Jacobson JH 2nd. Source: Anesthesiology. 1971 May; 34(5): 421-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5554585
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Respiratory failure treated with the membrane oxygenator in the hyperbaric chamber. I. Studies in dogs during total asphyxia at three atmospheres absolute (ATA). Author(s): Lipton B, Weinreich A, Michal V, Jacobson JH 2nd.
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Source: Chest. 1970 November; 58(5): 513-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5507948 •
The effect of a pressurized environment (hyperbaric chamber) on pulmonary emphysema. Author(s): Chusid EL, Maher GG, Nicogossian A, Miller A, Teirstein A, Bader RA, Bader ME, Jacobson J 2nd. Source: The American Journal of Medicine. 1972 December; 53(6): 743-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=4634730
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The hyperbaric chamber and pulmonary oxygen toxicity: a clinical and pathologic study. Author(s): Lipton B, Toth A, Jacobson JH 2nd. Source: The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, New York. 1973 January-February; 40(1): 7-19. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=4539911
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The main present-day indications for clinical treatment in a hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Meijne NG, Mellink HM, Kox C. Source: Pneumonologie. 1973 December 19; 149(3): 173-80. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=4591991
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The pneuPAC hyperbaric variant HB: a ventilator suitable for use within a one-man hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Spittal MJ, Hunter SJ, Jones L. Source: British Journal of Anaesthesia. 1991 October; 67(4): 488-91. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=1931410
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The portable hyperbaric chamber for the treatment of high altitude illness. Author(s): Murdoch D. Source: N Z Med J. 1992 September 9; 105(941): 361-2. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=1436833
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Treatment of a cluster headache patient in a hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Weiss LD, Ramasastry SS, Eidelman BH. Source: Headache. 1989 February; 29(2): 109-10. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=2708039
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Use of a disposable carbon dioxide detector with emergency intubation in a hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Larson SR, Sutton T, Koch S, Butler BD.
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Source: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 1993 December; 64(12): 1133-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=8291995 •
Volume monitor for mechanical ventilation in the hyperbaric chamber. Author(s): Youn BA, Myers RA. Source: Critical Care Medicine. 1989 May; 17(5): 453-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=2707016
Additional Web Resources A number of additional Web sites offer encyclopedic information covering CAM and related topics. The following is a representative sample: •
Alternative Medicine Foundation, Inc.: http://www.herbmed.org/
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AOL: http://search.aol.com/cat.adp?id=169&layer=&from=subcats
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Chinese Medicine: http://www.newcenturynutrition.com/
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drkoop.com: http://www.drkoop.com/InteractiveMedicine/IndexC.html
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Family Village: http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/med_altn.htm
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Google: http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Alternative/
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Healthnotes: http://www.healthnotes.com/
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MedWebPlus: http://medwebplus.com/subject/Alternative_and_Complementary_Medicine
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Open Directory Project: http://dmoz.org/Health/Alternative/
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HealthGate: http://www.tnp.com/
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WebMDHealth: http://my.webmd.com/drugs_and_herbs
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WholeHealthMD.com: http://www.wholehealthmd.com/reflib/0,1529,00.html
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Yahoo.com: http://dir.yahoo.com/Health/Alternative_Medicine/
General References A good place to find general background information on CAM is the National Library of Medicine. It has prepared within the MEDLINEplus system an information topic page dedicated to complementary and alternative medicine. To access this page, go to the MEDLINEplus site at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alternativemedicine.html. This Web site provides a general overview of various topics and can lead to a number of general sources.
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CHAPTER 3. PATENTS ON HYPERBARIC CHAMBER Overview Patents can be physical innovations (e.g. chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment) or processes (e.g. treatments or diagnostic procedures). The United States Patent and Trademark Office defines a patent as a grant of a property right to the inventor, issued by the Patent and Trademark Office.4 Patents, therefore, are intellectual property. For the United States, the term of a new patent is 20 years from the date when the patent application was filed. If the inventor wishes to receive economic benefits, it is likely that the invention will become commercially available within 20 years of the initial filing. It is important to understand, therefore, that an inventor’s patent does not indicate that a product or service is or will be commercially available. The patent implies only that the inventor has “the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling” the invention in the United States. While this relates to U.S. patents, similar rules govern foreign patents. In this chapter, we show you how to locate information on patents and their inventors. If you find a patent that is particularly interesting to you, contact the inventor or the assignee for further information. IMPORTANT NOTE: When following the search strategy described below, you may discover non-medical patents that use the generic term “hyperbaric chamber” (or a synonym) in their titles. To accurately reflect the results that you might find while conducting research on hyperbaric chamber, we have not necessarily excluded non-medical patents in this bibliography.
Patents on Hyperbaric Chamber By performing a patent search focusing on hyperbaric chamber, you can obtain information such as the title of the invention, the names of the inventor(s), the assignee(s) or the company that owns or controls the patent, a short abstract that summarizes the patent, and a few excerpts from the description of the patent. The abstract of a patent tends to be more technical in nature, while the description is often written for the public. Full patent descriptions contain much more information than is presented here (e.g. claims, references, figures, diagrams, etc.). We will tell you how to obtain this information later in the chapter. 4Adapted
from the United States Patent and Trademark Office: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/whatis.htm.
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The following is an example of the type of information that you can expect to obtain from a patent search on hyperbaric chamber: •
Automatic blood pressure measurement in hyperbaric chamber Inventor(s): LaViola; John (Orange, CT), Watson; William C. (Greenwich, CT) Assignee(s): CAS Medical Systems, Inc. (Branford, CT) Patent Number: 4,996,992 Date filed: September 20, 1989 Abstract: Blood pressure measurements are performed on subjects disposed in hyperbaric chambers. The measurements are made by an automatic blood pressure monitoring instrument having a differential pressure transducer component. The reference side of the pressure transducer is open to the pressure in the hyperbaric chamber. A rotary vane pump is used to inflate the cuff with the inflation fluid supply from within the hyperbaric chamber, and exhaust from deflating the cuff is vented back into the hyperbaric chamber. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to the automatic measurement of the blood pressure of a subject who is confined to a hyperbaric chamber. Hyperbaric chambers have been used for treating Caisson disease, or "bends" in deep sea divers, tunnel crew personnel, and the like persons exposed to high pressure environments. These chambers contain high purity oxygen at super atmospheric pressure, typically 3 ATM or greater. Recently, it has been discovered that subjects who have undergone skin grafts will be benefitted by being placed in a hyperbaric chamber because the grafts heal faster in this high pressure pure oxygen environment. This latter use of the hyperbaric chamber requires that the subject remain in the chamber for longer periods of time than the Caisson disease treatment, and also involved subjects whose vital signs must be closely monitored. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04996992__
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Compact, portable critical care unit for hyperbaric and recompression chambers Inventor(s): Flynn; Edward T. (Great Falls, VA), Stanga; Daryl F. (New Orleans, LA) Assignee(s): The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington, DC) Patent Number: 5,421,340 Date filed: April 29, 1993 Abstract: The advanced care system for use in a hyperbaric chamber is a self-contai, rapidly transportable unit which contains a ventilator, patient suction, and vital signs monitor. It was developed to increase the level of life support available to an injured diver who might require advanced care, along with recompression therapy while being decompressed in an older model decompression chamber or other hyperbaric chamber not equipped with treatment equipment. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to a compact, self-contained, portable unit to safely provide critical care systems, and monitoring systems in a hyperbaric or recompression chamber environment. More particularly, the invention pertains to a unitary "Fly-Away" care system that is self-contained, rapidly transportable, and safely provides a
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ventilator, suction, and vital signs monitor including at least cardiac monitoring and rectal temperature monitoring for critical care in a hyperbaric or recompression chamber environment. Through the many advances in equipment and procedures over the past 10 years, diving has become markedly safer. However, it is still possible for a diver to experience a serious injury for which advanced life support and recompression therapy may be needed. Some of the newer and more complex hyperbaric facilities have advanced care and monitoring equipment built into the recompression chambers. Unfortunately, there are very few of these facilities. Most complex facilities are devoted to research or hyperbaric therapy of non-diving related illnesses, and very few are located close to where a serious accident might happen. Most recompression chambers that are located close to the site where divers (divers includes military, civilian commercial and civilian sport divers) are working or recreating do not have advanced medical equipment to provide artificial ventilation or monitor vital signs. In addition, some of the older hospital hyperbaric chambers are not equipped with critical care equipment. The only way to ventilate a non-breathing patient in most chambers is with hand bagging. The limitations of this method are: 1) inconsistent ventilation rate, tidal volume, and pressure, 2) inability to exhaust oxygen from hyperbaric chamber, 3) need for additional personnel, 4) fatigue of the operator. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05421340__ •
External lighting system for hypobaric and hyperbaric chambers Inventor(s): Gray; Kenneth O. (Oxnard, CA) Assignee(s): The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington, DC) Patent Number: 3,984,673 Date filed: June 30, 1975 Abstract: A compact and safe means for providing high intensity cold light to illumte hyperbaric chambers. The lighting system is comprised of a high intensity light source and a dichroic mirror enclosed in a housing which permits easy attachment to a viewport on a hyperbaric chamber. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to lighting systems and particularly to a lighting system designed to operate through a viewport and to provide illumination to the interior of hypobaric or hyperbaric chambers from a light source located outside the wall of the chamber. Hyperbaric research, diver recompression chambers, and the like require safe and effective means for internal illumination. A hyperbaric chamber is designed to withstand internal pressures greater than atmospheric. A hypobaric chamber is designed to withstand internal pressures less than atmospheric. Waterfilled hyperbaric chambers are frequently used for diver research and the like. Several methods have been used for illuminating hypobaric and hyperbaric chambers. Incandescent lamps generally enclosed in protective enclosures have been commonly used for internally located light sources. These light sources have introduced electrical and fire hazards into the chambers. In addition, the heat generated by the light source was dissipated into the chamber, thus adding to the heat load in the system. All systems which use internally located light sources have required extra openings through the chamber wall to provide electrical power to the lights. A wide variety of commercial incandescent lamps have been used with externally located light sources for introducing light to the interior of hyperbaric or hypobaric chambers through viewports. The most common problem has been the heating of the viewport by infrared radiation which
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accompanies the visible light. This can cause severe thermal stresses in the viewport material and has on occasion resulted in the cracking of the viewports; plastic viewports have sometimes been fused or charred on the surface. Such overheating and subsequent mechanical damage can lead to the catastrophic failure of the viewport and the loss of life and property. Attempts to prevent overheating of the viewports have included: the use of low power lamps which give off less heat and less light; the spacing of the light source at a greater distance from the viewport with subsequent reduction in both heating and lighting effect; and the use of infrared absorbing glass to extract the heat which requires the heat absorbed by the glass to in turn be dissipated by a heat sink or other method. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US03984673__ •
Flexible hyperbaric chamber Inventor(s): Santi; Giunio Guido (Trieste, IT) Assignee(s): GSE Giunio Santi Engineering S.R.L. (Trieste, IT) Patent Number: 5,738,093 Date filed: November 12, 1996 Abstract: A flexible hyperbaric chamber includes a flexible air tight fabric vessel equipped with one opening at one or each end. A mobile door is provided for closing the fabric vessel. A metallic shield is provided adjacent to the opening outside the fabric vessel, the metallic shield defines a support into which the mobile door latches. A metallic collar is provided adjacent to the opening inside the fabric vessel. The metallic shield and the metallic collar cooperate to define a vice device for holding fabric of the fabric vessel. The fabric of the flexible fabric vessel is inserted into the vice device and this is tightened by a series of bolts with a predetermined torque. A flexible containment cage made by flat textile straps is provided. The straps are arranged in a discrete number of radial rings and a discrete number of longitudinal members, each intersection of radial rings and longitudinal members being fixed together to guarantee the consistency of the geometry of the cage. The flexible vessel equipped with the metallic shield and the metallic collar is inserted and contained within the cage. Excerpt(s): It is generally known that divers can be affected by "the bends" which can cause permanent injury or even death and that the only possible treatment for this type of accidents, which very often is 100% successful, is the decompression therapy, which can be very useful also for carbon monoxide poisoning through hyperbaric oxygen breathing. For the divers, the Therapeutic Treatment Tables published by the US Navy contemplate a maximum "relief depth" of 165 fsw, and in the past only metallic chambers, heavy and cumbersome, were available for this depth. These have the inconvenience of bulk and weight, and therefore their use by divers and ambulance has been restricted to very few instances. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05738093__
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•
Hyperbaric chamber Inventor(s): Krasle; George E. (Atlanta, GA) Assignee(s): Hyperbaric Systems, Inc. (Atlanta, GA) Patent Number: 4,727,870 Date filed: June 10, 1986 Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved hyperbaric chamber for treating patients under superatmospheric conditions. The improved hyperbaric chamber includes an easy to open and close self-sealing hatch and a multipositional gurney that can be adjusted to a sitting or partially sitting position inside the chamber thereby making the patient more comfortable. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to an improved hyperbaric chamber for the treatment of medical disorders, and more specifically relates to a chamber with a novel easy-to-open, self-sealing hatch and a mutlipositional gurney for enhanced patient comfort. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is used in the treatment of medical disorders involving the need for increased amounts of oxygen by the human body. Traditionally, hyperbaric oxygen has been used to treat divers suffering from caisson disease, otherwise known as the "bends". A decompression sickness is a condition requiring reduction and reabsorption of trapped nitrogen gas bubbles in the circulatory system by increasing ambient pressure in the patient and facilitating more rapid removal of dissolved nitrogen by slow decrease to normal atmospheric pressure under a 100% oxygen environment. Various other uses of hyperbaric oxygen treatment have been discovered over the last few years including the treatment of gangrene, carbon monoxide intoxication, skin grafts, decompression sickness, smoke inhalation, Meleney's ulcers and chronic refractory osteomyelitis. Hyperbaric oxygen has also been found effective in treating cancer patients suffering from skin disorders caused by radiation therapy. Many other bodily malfunctions relating to oxygen deficiencies have responded favorably to hyperbaric oxygen treatment alone and in combination with conventional treatments. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04727870__
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Hyperbaric chamber Inventor(s): Gamow; Rustem I. (Boulder, CO) Assignee(s): Hyperbaric Mountain Technologies, Inc. (Boulder, CO) Patent Number: 5,109,837 Date filed: April 21, 1989 Abstract: A portable hyperbaric chamber is provided that allows a person to perform endurance exercise at barometric pressures of from 0 to 10 lbs./square inch greater than ambient. The chamber is portable, semi-spherical and inexpensively constructed of an essentially air-impermeable, flexible material. The chamber is used for endurance conditioning, to improve the athletic performance of people who live at altitudes above seal level. Another embodiment of this invention is the hyperbaric mountain bubble. This embodiment, designed for use at high altitudes to prevent mountain sickness, provides a portable sealed chamber in which a patient may be placed. The pressure inside the chamber is raised, providing an interior environment equivalent to a descent from altitude to as low as sea level, to alleviate the symptoms of mountain sickness. In a
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further embodiment, the mountain bubble is expanded to provide a high altitude habitat suitable for use as a mountain tent, which may be pressurized or not as desired. The mountain bubble may be equipped with a bladder arrangement to eliminate the need for constant pumping, and may also be constructed for use as a high-altitude tent which can be pressurized or not as desired. A useful embodiment of this invention is the closed circuit rebreather using an oxygen supply and carbon dioxide removal means to provide an extended period of breathing without the need for attention to maintaining a fresh air supply. Excerpt(s): It is well-known that humans ascending to altitude may experience a variety of symptoms collectively known as "mountain sickness." The symptoms of mountain sickness are especially prevalent with people coming from sea level to ski at ski resorts 2000 meters and higher above sea level. In general, these symptoms are not severe and after a few days of nausea and headache the symptoms go away. Nevertheless, some individuals are dreadfully sick even at these low altitudes, and it would be beneficial to get them to a higher barometric pressure as soon as possible. On the other hand, severe mountain sickness which includes the following diseases: acute mountain sickness, high altitude pulmonary edema, Monge's disease and Brisket disease, are of major concern of mountaineers. The problems for mountaineers are of course very much greater than for the recreational skier. First, the altitudes may be very much greater, approaching 10,000 meters, and the physical condition of the climbers themselves is greatly weakened not only from the altitude but from the long-term exposure to extreme elements. All life supporting systems must be carried by foot and be contained in backpacks. To date, if a climber becomes severely ill because of the altitude the only treatment is to get him or her to as low an elevation as possible as soon as possible. This is often not done because weather and terrain conditions may trap the climbers for days, if not weeks. A second problem that mountaineers experience at altitude is the inability to maintain a regular sleep cycle. This problem is more severe for some climbers than others, but it is a problem for every high altitude climber. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05109837__ •
Hyperbaric chamber Inventor(s): Bower; James W. (Ilion, NY) Assignee(s): Portable Hyperbarics, Inc. (Ilion, NY) Patent Number: 5,678,543 Date filed: November 16, 1995 Abstract: Lightweight hyperbaric chamber capable of maintaining pressures of up to 22 psi greater than ambient through the use of at least two zippers, at least one of which is a sealing zipper, and preferably with heavy fabric and a reinforcing outer layer. Excerpt(s): Athletic activities such as mountain climbing and skiing take humans to high altitudes and subject them to reduced ambient pressure. Such reduced atmospheric pressures can lead to what is commonly known as mountain sickness. Symptoms of mild mountain sickness include nausea and headache, which can go away after a few days. In some cases, it may be desirable to transport the sick person to higher atmospheric pressures. However, this is not always possible, and hyperbaric chambers have previously been developed to provide a quick, efficient and effective way of treating patients that are affected by mountain sickness. Historically hyperbaric chambers have been heavy, rigid structures, such as that described in Wallace et al., U.S.
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Pat. No. 4,196,656. That patent discloses hyperbaric chambers with cylindrical shapes, large enough to admit human beings and allow movement within the chamber. More recently, Gamow et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,829, disclosed a portable hyperbaric chamber for use at higher elevations. The Gamow hyperbaric chamber can be used by climbers suffering from mountain sicknesses, and provides a hyperbaric chamber that can achieve and maintain air pressure inside the chamber from 0.2 psi to 10 psi greater than ambient. However, there are times when air pressure higher than 10 psi greater than ambient is necessary, for example, for decompression sickness, burn therapy, treatment of CO.sub.2 poisoning, and other illnesses and injuries. The hyperbaric chambers of the present invention can achieve internal pressures that are significantly higher than prior hyperbaric chambers, while retaining a high degree of portability. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05678543__ •
Hyperbaric chamber accessories Inventor(s): Harvey; David E. (13760 Gramercy Pl., Gardena, CA 90249), Wright; Charles (13760 Gramercy Pl., Gardena, CA 90249) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 6,352,078 Date filed: September 18, 1999 Abstract: A closure mechanism and seating controls in combination with use with a hyperbaric chamber are described. The closure mechanism in combination with a hyperbaric chamber includes a door opening, a chamber door with dimensions larger than the door opening, a ring of sealing material secured to either the outer surface of the door or the inner surface of the chamber, a means for positioning the door adjacent the door opening and a means for pressurizing the chamber to effect a seal. The closure mechanism also includes an upper rail and pivoting carriers that may slide along the rail and a lower track mounted adjacent the floor and door guides that may slide within the track. The carriers and door guides are mounted to the interior surface of the door. The door and chamber walls may be flat, or curved in one or more planes. A locking mechanism is provided that employs a sliding wedge-shaped member that engages a retaining bar to secure the door in a closed position and a stop for securing the door in an open position. The seating controls in combination with a hyperbaric chamber provide means to swivel a seat support bracket about a base secured to the chamber floor and means rotate a seat about the bracket so that a patient can be easily and comfortably positioned within the chamber. Means are provided to lock the seat in a variety of positions including inclining the seat back. Excerpt(s): The invention pertains to accessories in combination with pressure vessels. More particularly, the invention relates to closure mechanisms and seating controls in combination with a hyperbaric chamber. Various types of closure mechanisms have been developed in combination with hyperbaric chambers; incorporating a number of different technologies. U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,904 issued to Hannum employs a transparent rectangular door sliding on a pair of rods to seal the chamber. Hannum also discloses a sliding seat arrangement that incorporates a pair of rails to permit the seat to slide forward and back within the chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,678 issued to Gamow, incorporates an airtight zipper attached to an inflatable hyperbaric chamber to provide ingress and egress for the chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,286, issued to Farvel et al. discloses a device for suspending and guiding a movable panel. This invention incorporates a tubular channel with a ball-bearing mounted spherical roller positioned
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inside of the channel from which the panel is suspended. U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,334 issued to Reneau employs an outwardly hinged door with rotary locking mechanism to secure the opening of a hyperbaric chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,739 issued to Smith describes a swivel-recliner chair providing a variety of adjustment mechanisms. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06352078__ •
Hyperbaric chamber apparatus Inventor(s): Loori; Phillip E. (Jersey City, NJ) Assignee(s): Ventnor Corporation (Margate, NJ) Patent Number: 5,060,644 Date filed: September 4, 1990 Abstract: A hyperbaric apparatus for the hyperbaric application of therapeutic gases is provided which consists of a generally integral housing which defines an internal chamber. This generally integral housing includes several openings. Removable closures are provided for removable attachment to the housing for the sealing of each of these openings. One such closure includes a limb introduction and sealing mechanism. Also provided are gas inlet and outlet mechanisms connected to the housing for the introduction, control and maintenance of therapeutic gases within the internal chamber of the housing. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to hyperbaric apparatus and, more particularly, to hyperbaric apparatus which are portable and adapted for use in connection with the treatment of human arms and legs. Hyperbaric apparatus are devices which create sealed and pressurized environments for the treatment of lesions and wounds on a patient's body. Hyperbaric chamber treatment promotes healing in various ways. Specifically, it has been discovered that the hyperbaric treatment of lesions and wounds, in conjunction with various stimuli, promotes granulation, raises the capillary blood pO.sup.2, reduces edema, elevates the redox potential and suppresses bacterial proliferation. It has been determined that pulsating pressure in the range of 5-50 mm Hg over a cycle of 15 seconds and gas flow rates of 10 liters per minute are most effective. It has also been found that the humidification of the hyperbaric environment during operation produces positive results. When hyperbaric apparatus were first introduced they encompassed the patient's entire body. As time progressed, hyperbaric apparatus became more sophisticated, and portable hyperbaric apparatus were developed. Generally, portable hyperbaric apparatus include hyperbaric chambers adapted for encapsulating only a small portion of the patient's body, such as an arm or a leg. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05060644__
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Hyperbaric flow control system Inventor(s): Watt; Richard W. (6064 Marylane Ct., Oconomowoc, WI 53066) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 5,685,293 Date filed: February 16, 1996 Abstract: A modular flow control system for a hyperbaric oxygen chamber which receives oxygen gas from a pressurized source and vents a mixture of oxygen and other
Patents 25
gases from the chamber to atmosphere. The control system is comprised of a control panel which is mounted to the exterior of the hyperbaric chamber. The control panel consists of an oxygen inlet which is connected to a source of pressurized oxygen and provides access to a system supply line contained within the control panel. The system supply line contains a series of control and gauges which monitor and control the pressure of oxygen within the chamber and the flow rate of oxygen into the chamber. The system supply line terminates at an oxygen outlet which is connected directly to the hyperbaric chamber. Vent gas flows from the hyperbaric chamber back to the control panel through a vent gas inlet. The vent gas inlet is connected to a system vent line. The system vent line contains a series of valves and meters to control the flow of vent gas from the hyperbaric chamber. The system vent line terminates at a vent gas outlet contained in the control panel. A manually operable vent valve is contained in a bypass between the system supply line and the system vent line. The bypass allows the user to vent the supply of pressurized oxygen in a perceived emergency. Each of the connections to the control panel are made by a quick disconnect coupling which allows the control panel to be quickly and easily removed from the hyperbaric chamber. Excerpt(s): This invention is generally related to control system for a pressure chamber and is specifically directed to a modular flow control system for a hyperbaric oxygen chamber receiving oxygen gas from a pressurized source and venting a mixture of oxygen and other gases to atmosphere. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) is a clinically proven technology that has been safely used since the turn of the twentieth century and has become an established treatment procedure for a wide range of human ailments. The following disorders have been shown to respond to hyperbaric oxygen therapy: air or gas embolism, burns, frostbite, carbon monoxide, acute smoke inhalation, crush injury, compartmental syndrome, cyanide poisoning, extensive blood loss, gas gangrene, compromised skin grafts or flaps, and healing wounds. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment in which the patient is entirely enclosed in a pressure chamber breathing 100% oxygen at a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere. Breathing 100% oxygen at 1 atmosphere is not considered hyperbaric oxygenation, nor is topical application of oxygen outside a pressurized chamber. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05685293__ •
Hyperbaric organ preservation apparatus and method for preserving living organs Inventor(s): Reneau; Raymond P. (Houston, TX) Assignee(s): Keyes Offshore, Inc. (Sugarland, TX) Patent Number: 4,837,390 Date filed: May 11, 1983 Abstract: An apparatus (A) and method for preserving living organs extracorporeally in vessel (V) having a hyperbaric chamber (C) therein. The organ (O) stored in chamber (C) is provided with perfusate (P) from a reservoir (R) which is open to the atmosphere and freely accessible for the user who may thereby change or add constituents to the perfusate (P) without depressurizing the apparatus (A). Excerpt(s): This invention relates to apparatus and methods for the preservation of living organs extracorporeally such as is required pending transplantation of organs from one being to another. Organ transplantation and preservation is a field of increasing importance due to the advances in the medical arts and sciences related to organ transplants which have made it possible to transplant a variety of living tissues
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and organs. It is generally recognized in the art that preservation of living tissue is most effective if the tissue is immersed in a perfusate, nutrient liquid, and is maintained in a refrigerated, hyperbaric environment. It has been found to be desirable for effective preservation to provide a chamber wherein the temperature is less than 37.degree. C. and the pressure is from two to fifteen bars above ambient atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, it is desirable to perfuse the organ with plasma or other similar fluid which provides the necessary nutrient and oxygen to the organ. This perfusate may also contain additives such as hormones, steroids, penicillin, antibiotics or the like to treat specific conditions found in the organ being preserved. Prior art systems generally provided a hyperbaric chamber for storing the organ under the prescribed environmental conditions and a closed, pressurized reservoir and conduit system as a source of perfusate. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04837390__ •
Hyperbaric oxygen patient treatment system Inventor(s): Hicks; Ronald B. (San Antonio, TX), Leininger; James R. (San Antonio, TX), Leininger; Peter A. (San Antonio, TX), Quirk, IV; William H. (San Antonio, TX) Assignee(s): Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (San Antonio, TX) Patent Number: 6,062,215 Date filed: July 22, 1998 Abstract: A hyperbaric oxygen patient treatment system generally comprises and inflatable enclosure for encasing a patient having at least partially contained therein an inflatable mattress system. By integrating the therapeutic functions of the inflatable mattress system within the hyperbaric chamber the simultaneous provision of hyperbaric oxygen and skin treatment therapies is made possible. A control system is provided to maintain desired patient interface pressures throughout the provision of hyperbaric treatment. Features are disclosed for maximizing patient comfort while ensuring the ability to fully monitor and treat the patient during therapy. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to patient treatment systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a hyperbaric oxygen patient treatment system having integrated therein a therapeutic patient support surface. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) dates back to as early as the 1600's when compressed air was delivered to an airtight room for the treatment of various ailments. The first contemporary HBOT programs, however, were developed in the early 1900's when the delivery to the body of increased oxygen concentrations was found to be an effective treatment for decompression sickness, commonly known as the bends. Subsequently, HBOT was approved for the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning where it has been shown to produce recovery with little or no neurological deficit. While HBOT is well known as the treatment of choice for decompression sickness and has a significant history in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, HBOT is only recently emerging as part of other treatment regimen. Despite the controversy surrounding the acceptance of HBOT as an element of newer protocols, HBOT has been shown to be invaluable in certain situations. On e such area is in the treatment of selected non-healing wounds and compromised skin grafts and/or flaps, where the hyperoxygenation of the plasma concomitant HBOT treatment is particularly beneficial in bacteria reduction and infection control. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06062215__
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Hyperbaric resuscitation system and method Inventor(s): Kriedt; Frederick A. (560 Lynnmeade Rd., Gretna, LA 70056), Van Meter; Keith W. (17 Carriage La., New Orleans, LA 70114) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 6,283,123 Date filed: April 20, 2000 Abstract: A hyperbaric resuscitation system (10) includes a hyperbaric chamber (20) having a volume sufficient to enclose a human patient (1) and at least two operating personnel (60). The system (10) also includes a device for pressurizing the hyperbaric chamber (20) to at least 1.5 atmospheres with air. The concentration of oxygen in high pressure, oxygen-rich gas to be breathed by the patient (1) provided by an independent system (41) at chamber pressure is automatically regulated by a regulating system (33) which receives information about the amount of oxygen in cerebral tissue of the patient (1) from a spectrophotometer (51, 52). Although devices for measuring the exact amount of oxygen in cerebral tissue do not yet exist, the presently available devices can show trends in the amount of oxygen in the tissue. Since the physician working on a patient in a hyperbaric resuscitation system is more concerned about trending than exact values, the present system can still be of great benefit in resuscitating patients. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to hyperbaric chambers and medical treatment methods and systems using hyperbaric chambers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for using a hyperbaric chamber, a spectrophotometer (preferably a NIRoscope), and an automatic regulating device which receives information from the spectrophotometer to increase the amount of oxygen which gets to the brain of a patient being resuscitated after suffering from, for example, myocardial infarction or cerebral ischemia. The NIRoscope can also be used independently in critical care to monitor aa.sub.3 redox ratio or even be broadened to other chromophores in the brain in conjunction with neurology and mental health. Although oxygen is considered to be the most important drug used in resuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest, it is disheartening to learn that for the past 30 years there has been little improvement in resuscitative techniques and that advances in oxygen delivery have not been incorporated to any meaningful extent in resuscitation. Currently, there are at least two major limitations associated with conventional oxygen delivery: the first pertains to methods of oxygen administration and the second pertains to the unavailability of a reliable, non-invasive, direct or indirect cerebral cortical oxygen monitor that could help assure adequate oxygenation of the brain during CPR. Even under ideal conditions, neither masks nor endotracheal tubes--the techniques currently used for delivering oxygen during resuscitation--deliver sufficient oxygen at sea level (1 atmosphere absolute (atm abs)) for adequate, let alone optimum, oxygen delivery. Therefore, maximum benefit, i.e. maximum recovery of cerebral neurons (minimum residual brain damage) is not attained and, thereby, represents the preeminent reason for the aforementioned dismal results with respect to minimizing brain damage following resuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06283123__
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Inert gas environmental control system for a hyperbaric chamber and a method for doing same Inventor(s): Reneau; Raymond P. (Houston, TX) Assignee(s): Keyes Offshore, Inc. (Sugar Land, TX) Patent Number: 4,633,859 Date filed: November 4, 1983 Abstract: A control system for a hyperbaric chamber and method for doing same which provides for an initial purging of a portion of the oxygen contained in the air within the chamber until an analyzer detects that the oxygen concentration has been reduced below the oxygen concentration of air at one atmosphere absolute pressure. Having reduced the oxygen concentration within the chamber using a pressurized inert gas, valves are operated to pressurize the chamber at a desired rate to a desired value. The patient within the chamber is connected to an independent breathing system where breathing gas is delivered to the patient at substantially the same pressure as the pressure in the hyperbaric chamber. Excerpt(s): The field of this invention relate to hyperbaric chambers used for medical applications, and in particular, relates to environmental control systems therefor. In the past, hyperbaric chambers were pressurized with oxygen, air or other gases so that at all times the environment within the hyperbaric chamber was an oxygen-enriched atmosphere at increased pressure levels. In an oxygen-enriched atmosphere the percentage of oxygen or oxygen and nitrous oxide is greater than the quotient of 23.45 divided by the square root of the total pressure in atmospheres. Having an oxygenenriched atmosphere under pressure within a hyperbaric chamber presented enhanced risks of fire. Any spark source such as static electricity or arcing within monitoring devices found within such hyperbaric chambers could ignite the pressurized oxygen within the chamber and cause a catastrophic fire. To avoid the potential of combustion within a hyperbaric chamber, prior art devices had to eliminate all spark producing devices or instruments from the chamber interior or in the alternative purge all the instrument enclosures with an inert gas to prevent ignition. These additional precautions greatly increased the cost of such devices and were not in all cases fail-safe in design. A control system for a hyperbaric chamber and method of doing same which provides for an initial purging of a portion of the oxygen contained in the air within the chamber until an analyzer detects that the oxygen concentration has been reduced below the oxygen concentration of air at one atmosphere absolute pressure. Having reduced the oxygen concentration within the chamber using a pressurized inert gas, valves are operated to pressurize the chamber at a desired rate to a desired value. The patient within the chamber is connected to an independent breathing system where breathing gases are delivered to the patient at substantially the same pressure as the pressure in the hyperbaric chamber. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04633859__
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Low pressure hyperbaric chamber Inventor(s): Fischer; Boguslav H. (251 E. 32nd St., New York, NY 10016) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 4,003,371 Date filed: January 28, 1976
Patents 29
Abstract: A portable chamber for enclosing a portion of the body, such as the lower leg, for treatment with oxygen or other gas at pressures above atmospheric, the chamber having a closed end and a limb-receiving sleeve in its entrance end, the sleeve being inflatable to ensure effective closing off of the chamber from ambient air, for maintaining desired pressure in the chamber and preventing uncontrolled escape of the gas while eliminating the danger of too tight binding of the limb. Simple means for controlling pressure and humidity may be provided. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to a portable hyperbaric chamber for enclosing a portion of the body such as the lower leg, for treatment with oxygen or other gas at somewhat elevated pressures, the chamber having a closed end and an open, limbreceiving end, the latter being provided with an entrance sleeve and means, preferably inflatable, to hold the sleeve sealingly but resiliently against the limb. The treatment gas may conveniently be used also for inflation and humidification. This chamber is an improvement over the chamber disclosed in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,491, July 10, 1973, which patent sets forth the background of the invention. It is an object of the invention to provide a chamber with simple and effective means for sealing the entrance sleeve against the skin surface of the limb during treatment. It is another object of the invention to provide a sectional chamber having adequate sealing means at all points to prevent the leakage of gas from the chamber, thus ensuring maintenance of the described pressure. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04003371__ •
Method and apparatus for hyperbaric chamber gas discharge and pressure management Inventor(s): Capria; Michael (11706 Plumosa Rd., Tampa, FL 33618) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 6,050,132 Date filed: June 15, 1998 Abstract: Method for regulating hyperbaric chamber pressure at a prescribed level while a continuous supply of fresh gas flows into the hyperbaric chamber. Apparatus consists of a hermetically sealed pressure vessel plenum with a cavity that contains a gas regulating device. Sealed pressure piping means connects the gas regulating device intake to a hyperbaric chamber port. Sealed pressure piping means connects the gas regulating device vent though the plenum housing to the atmosphere. The plenum cavity has a port with a valve through which sealed piping means receives gas pressure from the hyperbaric chamber. Convenient management of hyperbaric chamber pressure at a determined pressure level can occur with closure of plenum valve during hyperbaric chamber pressurization. After closure of plenum valve any additional gas flow into hyperbaric chamber will vent through the gas regulating apparatus. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to gas pressure regulation of a hyperbaric chamber. More specifically, it relates to improvements venting of gas pressure from a hyperbaric chamber to regulate flow of fresh gas into and through the hyperbaric chamber while maintaining constant gas pressure in the hyperbaric chamber. Patient comfort and health in a hyperbaric chamber depends, among other factors, on good management of the chamber gas quality and pressure. Human occupancy in a pressure vessel alters the gas environment and requires constant monitoring to correct any rise in carbon dioxide levels or other unwanted gases. In the past this required an attendant monitoring the
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chamber to adjust an array of regulators and valves while observing meters to provide a flow of fresh gas into the chamber without a pressure drop. Despite operator diligence the addition or discharge of gas into a hyperbaric chamber often changes the chamber pressure. The present invention makes it easier to add fresh gas into a hyperbaric chamber while maintaining a measurable steady gas pressure in the chamber environment. Breathable gas pressure regulators often use a diaphragm held between a sealed housing on one side, the gas conduit side, and a perforated housing on the other side, the ambient air pressure side. Any relative increase or decrease in gas pressure in the gas conduit side causes the diaphragm to deflect and pull or push a connected lever to open a spring loaded vent valve. The deflected vent valve thus delivers or vents breathable gas to or from a person through the gas conduit side. People in diverse environments such as scuba divers, aircraft pilots or hyperbaric chamber patients have used these gas regulating devices to deliver or exhaust breathing gas to or from their lungs. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06050132__ •
Method and apparatus for using readily available heat to compress air for supply to a collapsible and portable hyperbaric chamber Inventor(s): Moseley; Thomas Stillman (2501 Briggs Cheney Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20905) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 6,247,472 Date filed: March 8, 1999 Abstract: Method and Apparatus for compressing ambient air to a pressure above ambient, directing the compressed air into a portable hyperbaric chamber in which a exothermal chemical reactor is located whereby the air is heated and changed in chemical composition and passing the heated product gas through an expansion motor wherein the work output of the expansion motor is used to help drive the compressor. The exothermal chemical reactor may support combustion or be a person. Excerpt(s): Several underlying principles are key to an understanding of the present invention. It is theoretically possible to pump a volume of fluid such as ambient air into a chamber containing fluid at a second pressure such as a compressed gas chamber with the investment of a certain amount of work which work will be exactly equal to the amount of work which is produced by taking the same volume of fluid and reversing the process, that is, expanding that same quantity of gas from the second pressure to the first pressure. As is known from thermodynamics, adding heat to the gas such as while it is in the pressurized chamber will produce an increment of increased work during the expansion with the amount of work produced during the expansion being a function of the amount of heat added, the pressure ratio, etc. The difference between the expansion work and the compression work may be used to overcome friction and provide a net work output if desired (expansion work less compression work less friction work). The friction work is the friction force times the distance moved by a mass experiencing that friction force. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06247472__
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Method for reduction of neurosurgical edema, hemorrhage, and respiration-induced tissue movement Inventor(s): DiLorenzo; Daniel J. (148 Allston St., Cambridge, MA 02139) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 5,797,403 Date filed: December 29, 1995 Abstract: An intraoperative and perioperative method and several representative apparatus designs therefor for the reduction of fluid and tissue movement, where said fluid includes but is not limited to plasma, extracellular fluid, intracellular fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood; and said tissue includes but is not limited to central nervous system tissue. An application of particular import in neurosurgical procedures is the intraoperative control of cerebral and spinal cord edema and the reduction of respiration-induced tissue movement. The method of the present invention, as applied to neurosurgical edema reduction, involves control of the pressure gradient between the central nervous system (CNS) and the ambient pressure. The physiologic pressure gradient between the CNS and the ambient pressure is termed the intracranial pressure (ICP) and is normally maintained at approximately 14 mmHg. The ICP may be decreased, normal, or increased as a result of any of various pathologic conditions which may indicate neurosurgical intervention. A significant complication of neurosurgical procedures is edema of the exposed nervous tissue. Control, including reduction and/or reversal, of the CNS-ambient pressure gradient eliminates the hydrostatic contribution to the generation of cerebral edema. By appropriate modulation of the applied pressure gradient, the dynamic component of the intracranial-ambient pressure gradient associated with respiration is canceled, reducing or eliminating intraoperative tissue movement. This is of particular utility in microneurosurgical procedures and in neurosurgical procedures involving placement of electrodes. The apparatus facilitates the control of the pressure gradient between the CNS and the ambient pressure and may be implemented as any of numerous possible equivalent designs, two representative embodiments including (1) a hypobaric chamber applied to a section of the unopened portion of the calvarum and extending to include the entire caudal portion of the body and (2) a hyperbaric chamber affixed to the head to apply pressure to the exposed cerebral surface. The method and apparatus of the present invention are additionally efficacious in the control of edema in other surgical procedures. Furthermore, the method and apparatus of the present invention are effective in the control of hemorrhage. Excerpt(s): The present invention has relation generally to method and apparatus for intraoperative and perioperative pressure gradient regulation, and more particularly to control of pressure gradients across operatively exposed tissues, fluids or other natural or artificial components, including but not limited to the dura and blood vessels, for the reduction of at least one of edema, hemorrhage, and tissue movement. This invention relates to several intraoperative and perioperative conditions and complications which may be amenable to treatment or prevention by the controlled application of a pressure gradient across the operatively exposed tissue or structures. This invention has application to neurosurgical procedures, general surgical procedures, orthopedic surgical procedures, and other major and minor surgical procedures in the control of at least one of edema (excessive accumulation of watery fluids is cells, tissues, or serious cavities), hemorrhage, and tissue movement. Edema commonly occurs during and following surgical procedures. Edema in central nervous system (CNS) structures is of particular concern because negligible room for expansion is permitted by the virtually
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inelastic dura which envelopes the CNS and the bony calvarum to which the dura is attached. For simplicity, "cerebral edema" will be understood to refer to and encompass edema of any and all parts of the CNS and peripheral nervous system (PNS), including but not limited to the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, spinal cord, nerve roots, dorsal root ganglia, spinal nerves, cranial nerves, and peripheral nerves. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05797403__ •
Modular hyperbaric chamber Inventor(s): Maison; Jack Robert (3307 Hunters Sound, San Antonio, TX 78230) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 6,347,628 Date filed: August 23, 1999 Abstract: A modular hyperbaric chamber for treatment of at least one patient that includes at least one spacer module having a first flange and a second flange. The spacer module may be formed from a plurality of sections, with each section including opposing lip portions to form air-tight junctions. A first half cylinder module includes a first peripheral contact edge for releasable sealed connection to the first flange of the spacer module. Similarly, a second half cylinder module includes a second peripheral contact edge, for releasable sealed connection to the second flange of the spacer module. An access door, formed in at least one of the half cylinder modules provides access to the interior of the chamber. The overall size of a hyperbaric chamber may be conveniently increased by inserting additional spacer modules between the half cylinder modules. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to medical treatment involving pressurized oxygen, and more specifically to hyperbaric pressure chambers for patient accommodation. In particular, the invention provides chambers of modular construction, capable of size adjustment to meet specified requirements. This allows treatment facilities some flexibility to respond to fluctuating demand, both increasing and decreasing, for hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Traditional hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO) requires a patient to breathe 100% oxygen while at a pressure greater than ambient, i.e. >1 atmosphere absolute (ATA). HBO is an established technology to help resolve certain chronic, recalcitrant, expensive, or otherwise challenging medical problems. Treatment can be carried out in either a monoplace or multiplace chamber. The former accommodates a single patient and the entire chamber is pressurized with 100% oxygen which the patient breathes directly. A multiplace chamber may hold two or more patients, observers, and support personnel. It is pressurized with compressed air and the patients breathe 100% oxygen via a mask, head tent, or endotracheal tube. According to the Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society, breathing 100% oxygen at 1 ATA of pressure or exposing isolated parts of the body to 100% oxygen does not constitute HBO therapy; the patient must inhale the oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Current research indicates that pressurization should be to 1.4 ATA, or higher, for HBO to be most effective. The elevated pressure promotes super saturation of oxygen in blood plasma and tissue fluids. As a result, the body utilizes oxygen more efficiently and promotes healing functions. Monoplace or single patient hyperbaric chambers are commonly fabricated from a transparent acrylic plastic tube with machined metal end plates or caps. The patient usually lies inside the confined space of the acrylic tubular compartment and breathes 100% oxygen for the duration of the treatment. Monoplace chambers are now available in different diameters for enhanced patient comfort. Other
Patents 33
design variations on the traditional monoplace concept include chambers made of welded stainless steel with a medical attendant pod to provide "hands-on" care during treatment and very large acrylic tubes for treatment of two patients simultaneously. As an alternative to fabrication of monoplace chambers from relatively rigid materials, a variety of inflatable chambers provide individuals with on-site treatment for such situations as rescue operations and severe oxygen deprivation. As an example, inflatable HBO chambers constructed from flexible fabrics are carried by divers as a precaution against the bends which is caused by a too rapid ascent from deep diving activities. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06347628__ •
Observation window of a hyperbaric chamber Inventor(s): Cheng; Kuo-Chung (No. 9, Lane 12, Guang Feng 1st Street, Ba-De City, Tao Yuan County, TW) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 6,639,745 Date filed: June 25, 2002 Abstract: An observation window of a hyperbaric oxygen chamber includes a frame, and a transparent member. The frame is fixedly joined to a wall of the chamber. The frame includes an outer annular connecting portion, and an inner annular holding portion, which is encircled by the outer portion, and which defines a central observation hole; an annular space is formed between the connecting portion and the holding portion to help reduce effects of deformation of the connecting portion on the holding portion so that the transparent member can still be fitted into the holding portion with precision after solder welding is used to secure the frame in position. An O-shaped ring is fitted between the transparent member and the holding portion to prevent compressed gas inside the chamber from leaking and to prevent the transparent member from falling off the frame. Excerpt(s): The present invention relate to all observation window of a hyperbaric chamber, and more particularly to an observation window, which has a frame less likely to be deformed due to high temperature caused by solder welding, and which is constructed in such a manner as to provide the users with widened view angle. Hyperbaric oxygen chambers have been provided to treat divers with the bends, a serious illness caused by ascending from deep water too fast. This treatment overcomes oxygen starvation in the tissues, by flooding the body's fluids with life-giving oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment has many other applications now, including treatment of a variety of illnesses and revitalization of athletes. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a conventional observation window 2 of a hyperbaric chamber includes a frame 22, a transparent member 24, and a securing member 26 having a central hole 261. The frame 22 is secured to a holed portion 21 of the hyperbaric chamber by means of solder welding; the chamber is usually made of strengthened metal so that it can stand high air pressure inside. The frame 22 has a central observation hole 221, a holding room 23, and several bolt holes around the holding room 23. A first ringed leak-prevention pad 242 is disposed in the holding room 23. The transparent member 24 is fitted into the holding room 23. A second ringed leak-prevention pad 241 is disposed on the transparent member 24. And, the securing member 26 is disposed on the outer side of the transparent member 24, and is joined to the frame 22 with bolts 25 screwed through connecting holes thereof as well as the bolt holes of the frame 22. Thus, the transparent
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member 24 is secured to the frame 22 without possibility of falling off, and the pads 241, 242 are tightly pressed against it to prevent leakage of gas through the joints. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06639745__ •
Portable and collapsible hyperbaric chamber assembly Inventor(s): Lasley; Robert A. (508 Sentinel Rd., Moorestown, NJ 08057) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 4,509,513 Date filed: September 29, 1982 Abstract: A portable and collapsible hyperbaric chamber assembly adapted to accomodate the major portion of a patient's body and adapted for connection to a pressurized source of oxygen or other suitable gas. The chamber assembly includes a circular frame which is U-shaped in cross section wherein the closed end of the U is the frame base and the depending portions form the inner and outer frame walls. A flexible tubular chamber member is secured to the outer frame wall and extends downwardly therefrom while a sealing sleeve is connected to the inner wall of the frame. The frame base has connections for receiving pressurized oxygen or other suitable gas. A patient is positioned within the tubular chamber member with the sealing sleeve sealingly contacting the upper portion of his body after which the tubular chamber member is folded below the patient's feet to form an airtight seal whereby an airtight chamber is provided between the tubular chamber member and the sealing sleeve to receive the pressurized oxygen or other suitable gas as required for treatment. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to hyperbaric chambers and more particularly to an improved hyperbaric chamber of a universal nature wherein the chamber itself is flexible and adjustable. The therapeutic value of hyberbaric chambers is well known particularly with regard to certain types of wounds. Therefore such will not be further elaborated upon herein. A large number of hyperbaric chambers are made of rigid heavy materials and thus constitute rather heavy and clumsy units. The need for a more or less universal type of hyperbaric chamber is quite evident yet no one has come up with such a unit. In addition, it would be desirable to have a unit which is inexpensive so that it may become a throw-away item and thus obviate the need for sterilization after use. In view of the foregoing it is an object of this invention to provide a hyperbaric chamber assembly wherein the chamber itself is collapsible and adjustable. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04509513__
•
Portable hyperbaric chamber Inventor(s): De La Fuente; Horacio M (Friendswood, TX), Locke; James P. (Houston, TX), Schneider; William C (Houston, TX) Assignee(s): The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the (Washington, DC) Patent Number: 6,321,746 Date filed: May 17, 2000 Abstract: A portable, collapsible hyperbaric chamber. A toroidal inflatable skeleton provides initial structural support for the chamber, allowing the attendant and/or
Patents 35
patient to enter the chamber. Oval hatches mate against bulkhead rings, and the hyperbaric chamber is pressurized. The hatches seal against an o-ring, and the internal pressure of the chamber provides the required pressure against the hatch to maintain an airtight seal. In the preferred embodiment, the hyperbaric chamber has an airlock to allow the attendant to enter and exit the patient chamber during treatment. Visual communication is provided through portholes in the patient and/or airlock chamber. Life monitoring and support systems are in communication with the interior of the hyperbaric chamber and/or airlock chamber through conduits and/or sealed feedthrough connectors into the hyperbaric chamber. Excerpt(s): The invention described herein was made by employees of the United States Government and may be manufactured and used by or for the government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. This invention relates to a hyperbaric chamber. Specifically, the invention describes a human hyperbaric chamber and airlock system that is lightweight, portable, stowable and collapsible. It provides the atmospheric pressures (over two atmospheres) required for standard hyperbaric medical treatments, including both hypobaric and hyperbaric decompression sickness. The device can be sized to contain at least one patient and attending medic(s). Humans can experience altered atmospheric pressures in several environments (aviation, submarine operations, spacecraft, extravehicular space activities, scuba diving, etc.) Decompression sickness can develop under these conditions, occasionally leading to serious or fatal injury. Hyperbaric chambers are successfully used to treat decompression sickness. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06321746__ •
Pressure chamber Inventor(s): Reneau; Raymond Paul (701 N. St. Marys, San Antonio, TX 78205) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 5,678,722 Date filed: March 15, 1996 Abstract: There is disclosed a hyperbaric chamber in which access may be had to the interior of a pressure vessel in which a patient is received through a door releasably locked to an open end of the vessel to close same. Excerpt(s): This invention relates generally to a pressure chamber, such as a hyperbaric chamber in which a patient may be treated medically at pressures greater than normal. More particularly, it relates to improvements in such chambers in which access may be had to the interior of a vessel in which the patient is received through a door releasably locked to an opening in the vessel to close same. As shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,334, the vessel may comprise a cylinder and end walls held against its ends of the cylinder, and the door is adapted to be releasably locked to the vessel to close the access opening by means of locking plates mounted on the vessel about the periphery of the opening. Thus, as shown, the locking plates are moved generally radially into and out of locking positions opposite an outwardly facing bearing surface on the door by means of a ring rotatably mounted on the vessel for manipulation from outside of the chamber. When in locking position, the plates are held in locking position by pressure within the vessel. Upon relief of the pressure, the plates may be moved to unlocked position to permit the door to be opened. The end edges of the plates are confined on opposite sides by end surfaces on the vessel over which they must slide as they are moved guidably
36
Hyperbaric Chamber
into and out of locking position by means of pins on the vessel slidable in slots in the plates. These require very close tolerances between the sliding surfaces which, if not mentioned, may cause the parts to bind and thus interfere with opening and closing of door and/or damage to the parts. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05678722__ •
Self-contained hyperbaric chamber Inventor(s): Volberg; Randall (#304 - 14981 101A Avenue, Surrey, British Columbia, CA), Volberg; Walter (#304 - 14981 101A Avenue, Surrey, British Columbia, CA) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 6,016,803 Date filed: July 21, 1998 Excerpt(s): This invention relates to a novel self-contained hyperbaric chamber. More particularly, this invention pertains to a hyperbaric chamber which contains all necessary gas processing equipment, conserves gas pressures and recovers oxygen from the waste gas. A hyperbaric chamber is conventionally used in the treatment of a variety of medical ailments by creating a high pressure environment in which a patient breathes a high concentration of oxygen. Hyperbaric chambers are used for a variety of medical purposes, including treating gangrene, decompression sickness and skin grafts. Since the patient is breathing a high concentration of oxygen, the healing process and healing times are purportedly improved. Conventional hyperbaric chambers usually include a pressure type compartment large enough to accommodate at least one person and a system for pressurizing the chamber. Typically, a patient in a hyperbaric chamber will breathe the same oxygen used to pressurize the chamber, or air is used to pressurize the chamber and oxygen is provided to the patient via a mask or hood assembly. Exhaled air which contains oxygen is exhausted from the hyperbaric chamber and is wasted. The oxygen is usually provided from a bank of high pressure oxygen cylinders located outside of the hyperbaric chamber. The oxygen is brought into the chamber through one or more tubes which penetrate the pressure containing wall of the hyperbaric chamber. Conventional high pressure medical oxygen concentrators are usually limited to commercial installations where substantial floor space must be dedicated to supply a hospital's oxygen needs. Conventional high-pressure oxygen concentrators, cryogenic oxygen systems or banks of pressurized bottles are expensive, physically large and cumbersome, non-portable and require considerable maintenance. Conventional high-pressure oxygen concentrators are not suitable for domestic home market use because of their bulk, lack of portability and expense. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06016803__
•
Transportable hyperbaric life support chamber Inventor(s): Bryant; W. Robert (Houston, TX), Saxon; Ross E. (Spring, TX) Assignee(s): Nautilus Environmentals, Inc. (Houston, TX) Patent Number: 4,467,798 Date filed: December 14, 1981
Patents 37
Abstract: A transportable hyperbaric chamber which is generally cylindrical in configuration and has a manway opening at one end, the chamber being of sufficient length and diameter to receive an injured person. The chamber is adapted to be temporarily connected to a deck chamber or other emergency chamber to receive an injured person and to subsequently be connected to a hospital or other more permanent chamber wherein such person may be treated over a longer period. The chamber is mounted on a support platform which is vertically adjustable at various points in order to align the chamber with such deck and hospital chambers. A pressure safe chamber door is mounted interiorly of the chamber and is movable between a closed, sealed position and an open position wherein the door is fully out of the path of the manway so that an injured person may be transferred without obstacle. Excerpt(s): The field of this invention relates to hyperbaric chambers. Hyperbaric or high pressure chambers are known to have important medical uses. Perhaps the most vivid example of the use of hyperbaric chambers is in the treatment of divers who are suffering from "bends" or nitrogen narcosis. It is well known that isolation of such injured diver in a high pressure atmosphere is one of the few known treatments for this often fatal or crippling malady. Even as well known as hyperbaric treatment is in situations where a diver has surfaced too quickly and begins to suffer from bends, too few hyperbaric treatment centers are available for such divers. Oftentimes, diving vessels have no hyperbaric treatment center or chambers at all. And, even if a vessel or offshore platform has some type of hyperbaric chamber on it, it is generally insufficient for any type of long term treatment. The only available chambers for long term treatment are located at hospitals and medical centers often far away from the scene of a diving accident. And, a diver may be already permanently injured if not dead by the time he is transported to such a suitable hyperbaric chamber facility. For even if a diver receives some temporary treatment on a vessel or offshore platform, the benefits of that temporary treatment may be lost in a period of transfer of the diver to a more permanent treatment area. In addition to the diver bend treatment, medical researchers are experimenting with hyperbaric pressure treatments and it is generally felt that new uses for hyperbaric chambers are in the offing. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04467798__
Patent Applications on Hyperbaric Chamber As of December 2000, U.S. patent applications are open to public viewing.5 Applications are patent requests which have yet to be granted. (The process to achieve a patent can take several years.) The following patent applications have been filed since December 2000 relating to hyperbaric chamber: •
Low pressure hyperbaric chamber and method of using the same Inventor(s): Parker Risley, Hollis; (Destin, FL), Parks, Maurice Ernest; (Destin, FL) Correspondence: Michael J. Dehaemer, JR.; Winstead Sechrest & Minick; 5400 Renaissance Tower; 1201 Elm Street; Dallas; TX; 75270; US Patent Application Number: 20040154616 Date filed: February 10, 2003
5
This has been a common practice outside the United States prior to December 2000.
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Hyperbaric Chamber
Abstract: A low pressure hyperbaric chambers and methods of using same are disclosed. The present invention provides means for designing, building, and using low pressure chambers suitable for use in managing pain associated with medical conditions. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to the construction and use of low pressure hyperbaric chambers, and more specifically, to the construction of chambers to provide an air pressure of greater than approximately 30.1 in. Hg, and the use of such chambers in the treatment of pain and other symptoms of chronic disease. Many people suffer from pain and other symptoms of chronic conditions. For example, diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and other similar diseases often cause severe, debilitating, chronic pain. Often the only treatment is through the use of expensive medications with undesirable side effects. It would therefore be desirable to provide methods and apparatus for treating the pain and other symptoms associated with chronic diseases. Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html
Keeping Current In order to stay informed about patents and patent applications dealing with hyperbaric chamber, you can access the U.S. Patent Office archive via the Internet at the following Web address: http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html. You will see two broad options: (1) Issued Patent, and (2) Published Applications. To see a list of issued patents, perform the following steps: Under “Issued Patents,” click “Quick Search.” Then, type “hyperbaric chamber” (or synonyms) into the “Term 1” box. After clicking on the search button, scroll down to see the various patents which have been granted to date on hyperbaric chamber. You can also use this procedure to view pending patent applications concerning hyperbaric chamber. Simply go back to http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html. Select “Quick Search” under “Published Applications.” Then proceed with the steps listed above.
39
APPENDICES
41
APPENDIX A. PHYSICIAN RESOURCES Overview In this chapter, we focus on databases and Internet-based guidelines and information resources created or written for a professional audience.
NIH Guidelines Commonly referred to as “clinical” or “professional” guidelines, the National Institutes of Health publish physician guidelines for the most common diseases. Publications are available at the following by relevant Institute6: •
Office of the Director (OD); guidelines consolidated across agencies available at http://www.nih.gov/health/consumer/conkey.htm
•
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS); fact sheets available at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/news/facts/
•
National Library of Medicine (NLM); extensive encyclopedia (A.D.A.M., Inc.) with guidelines: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html
•
National Cancer Institute (NCI); guidelines available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/list.aspx?viewid=5f35036e-5497-4d86-8c2c714a9f7c8d25
•
National Eye Institute (NEI); guidelines available at http://www.nei.nih.gov/order/index.htm
•
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); guidelines available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/index.htm
•
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI); research available at http://www.genome.gov/page.cfm?pageID=10000375
•
National Institute on Aging (NIA); guidelines available at http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/
6
These publications are typically written by one or more of the various NIH Institutes.
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Hyperbaric Chamber
•
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA); guidelines available at http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/publications.htm
•
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); guidelines available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/
•
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS); fact sheets and guidelines available at http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/index.htm
•
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD); guidelines available at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubskey.cfm
•
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD); fact sheets and guidelines at http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/
•
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR); guidelines available at http://www.nidr.nih.gov/health/
•
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); guidelines available at http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/health.htm
•
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA); guidelines available at http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugAbuse.html
•
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); environmental health information available at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/facts.htm
•
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); guidelines available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/practitioners/index.cfm
•
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS); neurological disorder information pages available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorder_index.htm
•
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR); publications on selected illnesses at http://www.nih.gov/ninr/news-info/publications.html
•
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; general information at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/becon/becon_info.htm
•
Center for Information Technology (CIT); referrals to other agencies based on keyword searches available at http://kb.nih.gov/www_query_main.asp
•
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM); health information available at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/
•
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR); various information directories available at http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/publications.asp
•
Office of Rare Diseases; various fact sheets available at http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/html/resources/rep_pubs.html
•
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; various fact sheets on infectious diseases available at http://www.cdc.gov/publications.htm
Physician Resources
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NIH Databases In addition to the various Institutes of Health that publish professional guidelines, the NIH has designed a number of databases for professionals.7 Physician-oriented resources provide a wide variety of information related to the biomedical and health sciences, both past and present. The format of these resources varies. Searchable databases, bibliographic citations, full-text articles (when available), archival collections, and images are all available. The following are referenced by the National Library of Medicine:8 •
Bioethics: Access to published literature on the ethical, legal, and public policy issues surrounding healthcare and biomedical research. This information is provided in conjunction with the Kennedy Institute of Ethics located at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_bioethics.html
•
HIV/AIDS Resources: Describes various links and databases dedicated to HIV/AIDS research: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/aidsinfs.html
•
NLM Online Exhibitions: Describes “Exhibitions in the History of Medicine”: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/exhibition.html. Additional resources for historical scholarship in medicine: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/hmd.html
•
Biotechnology Information: Access to public databases. The National Center for Biotechnology Information conducts research in computational biology, develops software tools for analyzing genome data, and disseminates biomedical information for the better understanding of molecular processes affecting human health and disease: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
•
Population Information: The National Library of Medicine provides access to worldwide coverage of population, family planning, and related health issues, including family planning technology and programs, fertility, and population law and policy: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_population.html
•
Cancer Information: Access to cancer-oriented databases: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_cancer.html
•
Profiles in Science: Offering the archival collections of prominent twentieth-century biomedical scientists to the public through modern digital technology: http://www.profiles.nlm.nih.gov/
•
Chemical Information: Provides links to various chemical databases and references: http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/Chem/ChemMain.html
•
Clinical Alerts: Reports the release of findings from the NIH-funded clinical trials where such release could significantly affect morbidity and mortality: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/alerts/clinical_alerts.html
•
Space Life Sciences: Provides links and information to space-based research (including NASA): http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_space.html
•
MEDLINE: Bibliographic database covering the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the healthcare system, and the pre-clinical sciences: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_medline.html
7
Remember, for the general public, the National Library of Medicine recommends the databases referenced in MEDLINEplus (http://medlineplus.gov/ or http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/databases.html). 8 See http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases.html.
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•
Toxicology and Environmental Health Information (TOXNET): Databases covering toxicology and environmental health: http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/Tox/ToxMain.html
•
Visible Human Interface: Anatomically detailed, three-dimensional representations of normal male and female human bodies: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/visible/visible_human.html
The NLM Gateway9 The NLM (National Library of Medicine) Gateway is a Web-based system that lets users search simultaneously in multiple retrieval systems at the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). It allows users of NLM services to initiate searches from one Web interface, providing one-stop searching for many of NLM’s information resources or databases.10 To use the NLM Gateway, simply go to the search site at http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/gw/Cmd. Type “hyperbaric chamber” (or synonyms) into the search box and click “Search.” The results will be presented in a tabular form, indicating the number of references in each database category. Results Summary Category Journal Articles Books / Periodicals / Audio Visual Consumer Health Meeting Abstracts Other Collections Total
Items Found 924 16 70 1 42 1053
HSTAT11 HSTAT is a free, Web-based resource that provides access to full-text documents used in healthcare decision-making.12 These documents include clinical practice guidelines, quickreference guides for clinicians, consumer health brochures, evidence reports and technology assessments from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), as well as AHRQ’s Put Prevention Into Practice.13 Simply search by “hyperbaric chamber” (or synonyms) at the following Web site: http://text.nlm.nih.gov.
9
Adapted from NLM: http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/gw/Cmd?Overview.x.
10
The NLM Gateway is currently being developed by the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 11 Adapted from HSTAT: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/hstat.html. 12 13
The HSTAT URL is http://hstat.nlm.nih.gov/.
Other important documents in HSTAT include: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference Reports and Technology Assessment Reports; the HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service (ATIS) resource documents; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA/CSAT) Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIP) and Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMHSA/CSAP) Prevention Enhancement Protocols System (PEPS); the Public Health Service (PHS) Preventive Services Task Force's Guide to Clinical Preventive Services; the independent, nonfederal Task Force on Community Services’ Guide to Community Preventive Services; and the Health Technology Advisory Committee (HTAC) of the Minnesota Health Care Commission (MHCC) health technology evaluations.
Physician Resources
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Coffee Break: Tutorials for Biologists14 Coffee Break is a general healthcare site that takes a scientific view of the news and covers recent breakthroughs in biology that may one day assist physicians in developing treatments. Here you will find a collection of short reports on recent biological discoveries. Each report incorporates interactive tutorials that demonstrate how bioinformatics tools are used as a part of the research process. Currently, all Coffee Breaks are written by NCBI staff.15 Each report is about 400 words and is usually based on a discovery reported in one or more articles from recently published, peer-reviewed literature.16 This site has new articles every few weeks, so it can be considered an online magazine of sorts. It is intended for general background information. You can access the Coffee Break Web site at the following hyperlink: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Coffeebreak/.
Other Commercial Databases In addition to resources maintained by official agencies, other databases exist that are commercial ventures addressing medical professionals. Here are some examples that may interest you: •
CliniWeb International: Index and table of contents to selected clinical information on the Internet; see http://www.ohsu.edu/cliniweb/.
•
Medical World Search: Searches full text from thousands of selected medical sites on the Internet; see http://www.mwsearch.com/.
14 Adapted 15
from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Coffeebreak/Archive/FAQ.html.
The figure that accompanies each article is frequently supplied by an expert external to NCBI, in which case the source of the figure is cited. The result is an interactive tutorial that tells a biological story. 16 After a brief introduction that sets the work described into a broader context, the report focuses on how a molecular understanding can provide explanations of observed biology and lead to therapies for diseases. Each vignette is accompanied by a figure and hypertext links that lead to a series of pages that interactively show how NCBI tools and resources are used in the research process.
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APPENDIX B. PATIENT RESOURCES Overview Official agencies, as well as federally funded institutions supported by national grants, frequently publish a variety of guidelines written with the patient in mind. These are typically called “Fact Sheets” or “Guidelines.” They can take the form of a brochure, information kit, pamphlet, or flyer. Often they are only a few pages in length. Since new guidelines on hyperbaric chamber can appear at any moment and be published by a number of sources, the best approach to finding guidelines is to systematically scan the Internetbased services that post them.
Patient Guideline Sources The remainder of this chapter directs you to sources which either publish or can help you find additional guidelines on topics related to hyperbaric chamber. Due to space limitations, these sources are listed in a concise manner. Do not hesitate to consult the following sources by either using the Internet hyperlink provided, or, in cases where the contact information is provided, contacting the publisher or author directly. The National Institutes of Health The NIH gateway to patients is located at http://health.nih.gov/. From this site, you can search across various sources and institutes, a number of which are summarized below. Topic Pages: MEDLINEplus The National Library of Medicine has created a vast and patient-oriented healthcare information portal called MEDLINEplus. Within this Internet-based system are “health topic pages” which list links to available materials relevant to hyperbaric chamber. To access this system, log on to http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html. From there you can either search using the alphabetical index or browse by broad topic areas. Recently, MEDLINEplus listed the following when searched for “hyperbaric chamber”:
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Hyperbaric Chamber
Arrhythmia http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/arrhythmia.html Congenital Heart Disease http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/congenitalheartdisease.html Dizziness and Vertigo http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dizzinessandvertigo.html Heart Valve Diseases http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/heartvalvediseases.html Water Safety http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/watersafetyrecreational.html You may also choose to use the search utility provided by MEDLINEplus at the following Web address: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/. Simply type a keyword into the search box and click “Search.” This utility is similar to the NIH search utility, with the exception that it only includes materials that are linked within the MEDLINEplus system (mostly patient-oriented information). It also has the disadvantage of generating unstructured results. We recommend, therefore, that you use this method only if you have a very targeted search. The NIH Search Utility The NIH search utility allows you to search for documents on over 100 selected Web sites that comprise the NIH-WEB-SPACE. Each of these servers is “crawled” and indexed on an ongoing basis. Your search will produce a list of various documents, all of which will relate in some way to hyperbaric chamber. The drawbacks of this approach are that the information is not organized by theme and that the references are often a mix of information for professionals and patients. Nevertheless, a large number of the listed Web sites provide useful background information. We can only recommend this route, therefore, for relatively rare or specific disorders, or when using highly targeted searches. To use the NIH search utility, visit the following Web page: http://search.nih.gov/index.html. Additional Web Sources A number of Web sites are available to the public that often link to government sites. These can also point you in the direction of essential information. The following is a representative sample: •
AOL: http://search.aol.com/cat.adp?id=168&layer=&from=subcats
•
Family Village: http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/specific.htm
•
Google: http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/
•
Med Help International: http://www.medhelp.org/HealthTopics/A.html
•
Open Directory Project: http://dmoz.org/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/
•
Yahoo.com: http://dir.yahoo.com/Health/Diseases_and_Conditions/
•
WebMDHealth: http://my.webmd.com/health_topics
Patient Resources
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Finding Associations There are several Internet directories that provide lists of medical associations with information on or resources relating to hyperbaric chamber. By consulting all of associations listed in this chapter, you will have nearly exhausted all sources for patient associations concerned with hyperbaric chamber. The National Health Information Center (NHIC) The National Health Information Center (NHIC) offers a free referral service to help people find organizations that provide information about hyperbaric chamber. For more information, see the NHIC’s Web site at http://www.health.gov/NHIC/ or contact an information specialist by calling 1-800-336-4797. Directory of Health Organizations The Directory of Health Organizations, provided by the National Library of Medicine Specialized Information Services, is a comprehensive source of information on associations. The Directory of Health Organizations database can be accessed via the Internet at http://www.sis.nlm.nih.gov/Dir/DirMain.html. It is composed of two parts: DIRLINE and Health Hotlines. The DIRLINE database comprises some 10,000 records of organizations, research centers, and government institutes and associations that primarily focus on health and biomedicine. To access DIRLINE directly, go to the following Web site: http://dirline.nlm.nih.gov/. Simply type in “hyperbaric chamber” (or a synonym), and you will receive information on all relevant organizations listed in the database. Health Hotlines directs you to toll-free numbers to over 300 organizations. You can access this database directly at http://www.sis.nlm.nih.gov/hotlines/. On this page, you are given the option to search by keyword or by browsing the subject list. When you have received your search results, click on the name of the organization for its description and contact information. The Combined Health Information Database Another comprehensive source of information on healthcare associations is the Combined Health Information Database. Using the “Detailed Search” option, you will need to limit your search to “Organizations” and “hyperbaric chamber”. Type the following hyperlink into your Web browser: http://chid.nih.gov/detail/detail.html. To find associations, use the drop boxes at the bottom of the search page where “You may refine your search by.” For publication date, select “All Years.” Then, select your preferred language and the format option “Organization Resource Sheet.” Type “hyperbaric chamber” (or synonyms) into the “For these words:” box. You should check back periodically with this database since it is updated every three months.
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Hyperbaric Chamber
The National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. The National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. has prepared a Web site that provides, at no charge, lists of associations organized by health topic. You can access this database at the following Web site: http://www.rarediseases.org/search/orgsearch.html. Type “hyperbaric chamber” (or a synonym) into the search box, and click “Submit Query.”
51
APPENDIX C. FINDING MEDICAL LIBRARIES Overview In this Appendix, we show you how to quickly find a medical library in your area.
Preparation Your local public library and medical libraries have interlibrary loan programs with the National Library of Medicine (NLM), one of the largest medical collections in the world. According to the NLM, most of the literature in the general and historical collections of the National Library of Medicine is available on interlibrary loan to any library. If you would like to access NLM medical literature, then visit a library in your area that can request the publications for you.17
Finding a Local Medical Library The quickest method to locate medical libraries is to use the Internet-based directory published by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM). This network includes 4626 members and affiliates that provide many services to librarians, health professionals, and the public. To find a library in your area, simply visit http://nnlm.gov/members/adv.html or call 1-800-338-7657.
Medical Libraries in the U.S. and Canada In addition to the NN/LM, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) lists a number of libraries with reference facilities that are open to the public. The following is the NLM’s list and includes hyperlinks to each library’s Web site. These Web pages can provide information on hours of operation and other restrictions. The list below is a small sample of
17
Adapted from the NLM: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/psd/cas/interlibrary.html.
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libraries recommended by the National Library of Medicine (sorted alphabetically by name of the U.S. state or Canadian province where the library is located)18: •
Alabama: Health InfoNet of Jefferson County (Jefferson County Library Cooperative, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences), http://www.uab.edu/infonet/
•
Alabama: Richard M. Scrushy Library (American Sports Medicine Institute)
•
Arizona: Samaritan Regional Medical Center: The Learning Center (Samaritan Health System, Phoenix, Arizona), http://www.samaritan.edu/library/bannerlibs.htm
•
California: Kris Kelly Health Information Center (St. Joseph Health System, Humboldt), http://www.humboldt1.com/~kkhic/index.html
•
California: Community Health Library of Los Gatos, http://www.healthlib.org/orgresources.html
•
California: Consumer Health Program and Services (CHIPS) (County of Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Library) - Carson, CA, http://www.colapublib.org/services/chips.html
•
California: Gateway Health Library (Sutter Gould Medical Foundation)
•
California: Health Library (Stanford University Medical Center), http://wwwmed.stanford.edu/healthlibrary/
•
California: Patient Education Resource Center - Health Information and Resources (University of California, San Francisco), http://sfghdean.ucsf.edu/barnett/PERC/default.asp
•
California: Redwood Health Library (Petaluma Health Care District), http://www.phcd.org/rdwdlib.html
•
California: Los Gatos PlaneTree Health Library, http://planetreesanjose.org/
•
California: Sutter Resource Library (Sutter Hospitals Foundation, Sacramento), http://suttermedicalcenter.org/library/
•
California: Health Sciences Libraries (University of California, Davis), http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/healthsci/
•
California: ValleyCare Health Library & Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center (ValleyCare Health System, Pleasanton), http://gaelnet.stmarysca.edu/other.libs/gbal/east/vchl.html
•
California: Washington Community Health Resource Library (Fremont), http://www.healthlibrary.org/
•
Colorado: William V. Gervasini Memorial Library (Exempla Healthcare), http://www.saintjosephdenver.org/yourhealth/libraries/
•
Connecticut: Hartford Hospital Health Science Libraries (Hartford Hospital), http://www.harthosp.org/library/
•
Connecticut: Healthnet: Connecticut Consumer Health Information Center (University of Connecticut Health Center, Lyman Maynard Stowe Library), http://library.uchc.edu/departm/hnet/
18
Abstracted from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/libraries.html.
Finding Medical Libraries
53
•
Connecticut: Waterbury Hospital Health Center Library (Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury), http://www.waterburyhospital.com/library/consumer.shtml
•
Delaware: Consumer Health Library (Christiana Care Health System, Eugene du Pont Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Institute, Wilmington), http://www.christianacare.org/health_guide/health_guide_pmri_health_info.cfm
•
Delaware: Lewis B. Flinn Library (Delaware Academy of Medicine, Wilmington), http://www.delamed.org/chls.html
•
Georgia: Family Resource Library (Medical College of Georgia, Augusta), http://cmc.mcg.edu/kids_families/fam_resources/fam_res_lib/frl.htm
•
Georgia: Health Resource Center (Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon), http://www.mccg.org/hrc/hrchome.asp
•
Hawaii: Hawaii Medical Library: Consumer Health Information Service (Hawaii Medical Library, Honolulu), http://hml.org/CHIS/
•
Idaho: DeArmond Consumer Health Library (Kootenai Medical Center, Coeur d’Alene), http://www.nicon.org/DeArmond/index.htm
•
Illinois: Health Learning Center of Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago), http://www.nmh.org/health_info/hlc.html
•
Illinois: Medical Library (OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria), http://www.osfsaintfrancis.org/general/library/
•
Kentucky: Medical Library - Services for Patients, Families, Students & the Public (Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington), http://www.centralbap.com/education/community/library.cfm
•
Kentucky: University of Kentucky - Health Information Library (Chandler Medical Center, Lexington), http://www.mc.uky.edu/PatientEd/
•
Louisiana: Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation Library (Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, New Orleans), http://www.ochsner.org/library/
•
Louisiana: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Medical LibraryShreveport, http://lib-sh.lsuhsc.edu/
•
Maine: Franklin Memorial Hospital Medical Library (Franklin Memorial Hospital, Farmington), http://www.fchn.org/fmh/lib.htm
•
Maine: Gerrish-True Health Sciences Library (Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston), http://www.cmmc.org/library/library.html
•
Maine: Hadley Parrot Health Science Library (Eastern Maine Healthcare, Bangor), http://www.emh.org/hll/hpl/guide.htm
•
Maine: Maine Medical Center Library (Maine Medical Center, Portland), http://www.mmc.org/library/
•
Maine: Parkview Hospital (Brunswick), http://www.parkviewhospital.org/
•
Maine: Southern Maine Medical Center Health Sciences Library (Southern Maine Medical Center, Biddeford), http://www.smmc.org/services/service.php3?choice=10
•
Maine: Stephens Memorial Hospital’s Health Information Library (Western Maine Health, Norway), http://www.wmhcc.org/Library/
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•
Manitoba, Canada: Consumer & Patient Health Information Service (University of Manitoba Libraries), http://www.umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/health/reference/chis.html
•
Manitoba, Canada: J.W. Crane Memorial Library (Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg), http://www.deerlodge.mb.ca/crane_library/about.asp
•
Maryland: Health Information Center at the Wheaton Regional Library (Montgomery County, Dept. of Public Libraries, Wheaton Regional Library), http://www.mont.lib.md.us/healthinfo/hic.asp
•
Massachusetts: Baystate Medical Center Library (Baystate Health System), http://www.baystatehealth.com/1024/
•
Massachusetts: Boston University Medical Center Alumni Medical Library (Boston University Medical Center), http://med-libwww.bu.edu/library/lib.html
•
Massachusetts: Lowell General Hospital Health Sciences Library (Lowell General Hospital, Lowell), http://www.lowellgeneral.org/library/HomePageLinks/WWW.htm
•
Massachusetts: Paul E. Woodard Health Sciences Library (New England Baptist Hospital, Boston), http://www.nebh.org/health_lib.asp
•
Massachusetts: St. Luke’s Hospital Health Sciences Library (St. Luke’s Hospital, Southcoast Health System, New Bedford), http://www.southcoast.org/library/
•
Massachusetts: Treadwell Library Consumer Health Reference Center (Massachusetts General Hospital), http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/library/chrcindex.html
•
Massachusetts: UMass HealthNet (University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worchester), http://healthnet.umassmed.edu/
•
Michigan: Botsford General Hospital Library - Consumer Health (Botsford General Hospital, Library & Internet Services), http://www.botsfordlibrary.org/consumer.htm
•
Michigan: Helen DeRoy Medical Library (Providence Hospital and Medical Centers), http://www.providence-hospital.org/library/
•
Michigan: Marquette General Hospital - Consumer Health Library (Marquette General Hospital, Health Information Center), http://www.mgh.org/center.html
•
Michigan: Patient Education Resouce Center - University of Michigan Cancer Center (University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor), http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/learn/leares.htm
•
Michigan: Sladen Library & Center for Health Information Resources - Consumer Health Information (Detroit), http://www.henryford.com/body.cfm?id=39330
•
Montana: Center for Health Information (St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Missoula)
•
National: Consumer Health Library Directory (Medical Library Association, Consumer and Patient Health Information Section), http://caphis.mlanet.org/directory/index.html
•
National: National Network of Libraries of Medicine (National Library of Medicine) provides library services for health professionals in the United States who do not have access to a medical library, http://nnlm.gov/
•
National: NN/LM List of Libraries Serving the Public (National Network of Libraries of Medicine), http://nnlm.gov/members/
Finding Medical Libraries
55
•
Nevada: Health Science Library, West Charleston Library (Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Las Vegas), http://www.lvccld.org/special_collections/medical/index.htm
•
New Hampshire: Dartmouth Biomedical Libraries (Dartmouth College Library, Hanover), http://www.dartmouth.edu/~biomed/resources.htmld/conshealth.htmld/
•
New Jersey: Consumer Health Library (Rahway Hospital, Rahway), http://www.rahwayhospital.com/library.htm
•
New Jersey: Dr. Walter Phillips Health Sciences Library (Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood), http://www.englewoodhospital.com/links/index.htm
•
New Jersey: Meland Foundation (Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood), http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/9360/
•
New York: Choices in Health Information (New York Public Library) - NLM Consumer Pilot Project participant, http://www.nypl.org/branch/health/links.html
•
New York: Health Information Center (Upstate Medical University, State University of New York, Syracuse), http://www.upstate.edu/library/hic/
•
New York: Health Sciences Library (Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park), http://www.lij.edu/library/library.html
•
New York: ViaHealth Medical Library (Rochester General Hospital), http://www.nyam.org/library/
•
Ohio: Consumer Health Library (Akron General Medical Center, Medical & Consumer Health Library), http://www.akrongeneral.org/hwlibrary.htm
•
Oklahoma: The Health Information Center at Saint Francis Hospital (Saint Francis Health System, Tulsa), http://www.sfh-tulsa.com/services/healthinfo.asp
•
Oregon: Planetree Health Resource Center (Mid-Columbia Medical Center, The Dalles), http://www.mcmc.net/phrc/
•
Pennsylvania: Community Health Information Library (Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey), http://www.hmc.psu.edu/commhealth/
•
Pennsylvania: Community Health Resource Library (Geisinger Medical Center, Danville), http://www.geisinger.edu/education/commlib.shtml
•
Pennsylvania: HealthInfo Library (Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton), http://www.mth.org/healthwellness.html
•
Pennsylvania: Hopwood Library (University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System, Pittsburgh), http://www.hsls.pitt.edu/guides/chi/hopwood/index_html
•
Pennsylvania: Koop Community Health Information Center (College of Physicians of Philadelphia), http://www.collphyphil.org/kooppg1.shtml
•
Pennsylvania: Learning Resources Center - Medical Library (Susquehanna Health System, Williamsport), http://www.shscares.org/services/lrc/index.asp
•
Pennsylvania: Medical Library (UPMC Health System, Pittsburgh), http://www.upmc.edu/passavant/library.htm
•
Quebec, Canada: Medical Library (Montreal General Hospital), http://www.mghlib.mcgill.ca/
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•
South Dakota: Rapid City Regional Hospital Medical Library (Rapid City Regional Hospital), http://www.rcrh.org/Services/Library/Default.asp
•
Texas: Houston HealthWays (Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library), http://hhw.library.tmc.edu/
•
Washington: Community Health Library (Kittitas Valley Community Hospital), http://www.kvch.com/
•
Washington: Southwest Washington Medical Center Library (Southwest Washington Medical Center, Vancouver), http://www.swmedicalcenter.com/body.cfm?id=72
57
ONLINE GLOSSARIES The Internet provides access to a number of free-to-use medical dictionaries. The National Library of Medicine has compiled the following list of online dictionaries: •
ADAM Medical Encyclopedia (A.D.A.M., Inc.), comprehensive medical reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html
•
MedicineNet.com Medical Dictionary (MedicineNet, Inc.): http://www.medterms.com/Script/Main/hp.asp
•
Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary (Inteli-Health, Inc.): http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/
•
Multilingual Glossary of Technical and Popular Medical Terms in Eight European Languages (European Commission) - Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish: http://allserv.rug.ac.be/~rvdstich/eugloss/welcome.html
•
On-line Medical Dictionary (CancerWEB): http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/omd/
•
Rare Diseases Terms (Office of Rare Diseases): http://ord.aspensys.com/asp/diseases/diseases.asp
•
Technology Glossary (National Library of Medicine) - Health Care Technology: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nichsr/ta101/ta10108.htm
Beyond these, MEDLINEplus contains a very patient-friendly encyclopedia covering every aspect of medicine (licensed from A.D.A.M., Inc.). The ADAM Medical Encyclopedia can be accessed at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html. ADAM is also available on commercial Web sites such as drkoop.com (http://www.drkoop.com/) and Web MD (http://my.webmd.com/adam/asset/adam_disease_articles/a_to_z/a).
Online Dictionary Directories The following are additional online directories compiled by the National Library of Medicine, including a number of specialized medical dictionaries: •
Medical Dictionaries: Medical & Biological (World Health Organization): http://www.who.int/hlt/virtuallibrary/English/diction.htm#Medical
•
MEL-Michigan Electronic Library List of Online Health and Medical Dictionaries (Michigan Electronic Library): http://mel.lib.mi.us/health/health-dictionaries.html
•
Patient Education: Glossaries (DMOZ Open Directory Project): http://dmoz.org/Health/Education/Patient_Education/Glossaries/
•
Web of Online Dictionaries (Bucknell University): http://www.yourdictionary.com/diction5.html#medicine
59
HYPERBARIC CHAMBER DICTIONARY The definitions below are derived from official public sources, including the National Institutes of Health [NIH] and the European Union [EU]. Accommodation: Adjustment, especially that of the eye for various distances. [EU] Adjustment: The dynamic process wherein the thoughts, feelings, behavior, and biophysiological mechanisms of the individual continually change to adjust to the environment. [NIH] Adverse Effect: An unwanted side effect of treatment. [NIH] Aerosol: A solution of a drug which can be atomized into a fine mist for inhalation therapy. [EU]
Afferent: Concerned with the transmission of neural impulse toward the central part of the nervous system. [NIH] Air Embolism: Occurs when the lungs over expand to the point that air bubbles are forced through the air sacs of the lungs into the circulatory system. [NIH] Air Pressure: The force per unit area that the air exerts on any surface in contact with it. Primarily used for articles pertaining to air pressure within a closed environment. [NIH] Air Sacs: Thin-walled sacs or spaces which function as a part of the respiratory system in birds, fishes, insects, and mammals. [NIH] Algorithms: A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task. [NIH] Alpha Particles: Positively charged particles composed of two protons and two neutrons, i.e., helium nuclei, emitted during disintegration of very heavy isotopes; a beam of alpha particles or an alpha ray has very strong ionizing power, but weak penetrability. [NIH] Alternative medicine: Practices not generally recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches and used instead of standard treatments. Alternative medicine includes the taking of dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, and herbal preparations; the drinking of special teas; and practices such as massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH] Alveoli: Tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles in the lungs. [NIH] Amino acid: Any organic compound containing an amino (-NH2 and a carboxyl (- COOH) group. The 20 a-amino acids listed in the accompanying table are the amino acids from which proteins are synthesized by formation of peptide bonds during ribosomal translation of messenger RNA; all except glycine, which is not optically active, have the L configuration. Other amino acids occurring in proteins, such as hydroxyproline in collagen, are formed by posttranslational enzymatic modification of amino acids residues in polypeptide chains. There are also several important amino acids, such as the neurotransmitter y-aminobutyric acid, that have no relation to proteins. Abbreviated AA. [EU] Analgesic: An agent that alleviates pain without causing loss of consciousness. [EU] Anatomical: Pertaining to anatomy, or to the structure of the organism. [EU] Anesthesia: A state characterized by loss of feeling or sensation. This depression of nerve function is usually the result of pharmacologic action and is induced to allow performance of surgery or other painful procedures. [NIH]
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Anesthetics: Agents that are capable of inducing a total or partial loss of sensation, especially tactile sensation and pain. They may act to induce general anesthesia, in which an unconscious state is achieved, or may act locally to induce numbness or lack of sensation at a targeted site. [NIH] Ankle: That part of the lower limb directly above the foot. [NIH] Antagonism: Interference with, or inhibition of, the growth of a living organism by another living organism, due either to creation of unfavorable conditions (e. g. exhaustion of food supplies) or to production of a specific antibiotic substance (e. g. penicillin). [NIH] Antibacterial: A substance that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or reproduction. [EU] Antibiotic: A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. [NIH]
Antibody: A type of protein made by certain white blood cells in response to a foreign substance (antigen). Each antibody can bind to only a specific antigen. The purpose of this binding is to help destroy the antigen. Antibodies can work in several ways, depending on the nature of the antigen. Some antibodies destroy antigens directly. Others make it easier for white blood cells to destroy the antigen. [NIH] Antigen: Any substance which is capable, under appropriate conditions, of inducing a specific immune response and of reacting with the products of that response, that is, with specific antibody or specifically sensitized T-lymphocytes, or both. Antigens may be soluble substances, such as toxins and foreign proteins, or particulate, such as bacteria and tissue cells; however, only the portion of the protein or polysaccharide molecule known as the antigenic determinant (q.v.) combines with antibody or a specific receptor on a lymphocyte. Abbreviated Ag. [EU] Anus: The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body. [NIH] Anxiety: Persistent feeling of dread, apprehension, and impending disaster. [NIH] Arrhythmia: Any variation from the normal rhythm or rate of the heart beat. [NIH] Arterial: Pertaining to an artery or to the arteries. [EU] Arteries: The vessels carrying blood away from the heart. [NIH] Arterioles: The smallest divisions of the arteries located between the muscular arteries and the capillaries. [NIH] Artery: Vessel-carrying blood from the heart to various parts of the body. [NIH] Aspartate: A synthetic amino acid. [NIH] Asphyxia: A pathological condition caused by lack of oxygen, manifested in impending or actual cessation of life. [NIH] Asymptomatic: Having no signs or symptoms of disease. [NIH] Atmospheric Pressure: The pressure at any point in an atmosphere due solely to the weight of the atmospheric gases above the point concerned. [NIH] Atrial: Pertaining to an atrium. [EU] Atrial Natriuretic Factor: A potent natriuretic and vasodilatory peptide or mixture of different-sized low molecular weight peptides derived from a common precursor and secreted by the heart atria. All these peptides share a sequence of about 20 amino acids. [NIH] Atrium: A chamber; used in anatomical nomenclature to designate a chamber affording entrance to another structure or organ. Usually used alone to designate an atrium of the heart. [EU]
Dictionary 61
Autonomic: Self-controlling; functionally independent. [EU] Autonomic Nervous System: The enteric, parasympathetic, and sympathetic nervous systems taken together. Generally speaking, the autonomic nervous system regulates the internal environment during both peaceful activity and physical or emotional stress. Autonomic activity is controlled and integrated by the central nervous system, especially the hypothalamus and the solitary nucleus, which receive information relayed from visceral afferents; these and related central and sensory structures are sometimes (but not here) considered to be part of the autonomic nervous system itself. [NIH] Axons: Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body. [NIH] Bacteria: Unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms which generally possess rigid cell walls, multiply by cell division, and exhibit three principal forms: round or coccal, rodlike or bacillary, and spiral or spirochetal. [NIH] Bactericidal: Substance lethal to bacteria; substance capable of killing bacteria. [NIH] Barotrauma: Injury following pressure changes; includes injury to the eustachian tube, ear drum, lung and stomach. [NIH] Benign: Not cancerous; does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. [NIH]
Bewilderment: Impairment or loss of will power. [NIH] Biochemical: Relating to biochemistry; characterized by, produced by, or involving chemical reactions in living organisms. [EU] Biological therapy: Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease. Also used to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also known as immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy. [NIH] Biotechnology: Body of knowledge related to the use of organisms, cells or cell-derived constituents for the purpose of developing products which are technically, scientifically and clinically useful. Alteration of biologic function at the molecular level (i.e., genetic engineering) is a central focus; laboratory methods used include transfection and cloning technologies, sequence and structure analysis algorithms, computer databases, and gene and protein structure function analysis and prediction. [NIH] Bladder: The organ that stores urine. [NIH] Blood pressure: The pressure of blood against the walls of a blood vessel or heart chamber. Unless there is reference to another location, such as the pulmonary artery or one of the heart chambers, it refers to the pressure in the systemic arteries, as measured, for example, in the forearm. [NIH] Blood vessel: A tube in the body through which blood circulates. Blood vessels include a network of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins. [NIH] Blood Volume: Volume of circulating blood. It is the sum of the plasma volume and erythrocyte volume. [NIH] Body Fluids: Liquid components of living organisms. [NIH] Brachytherapy: A collective term for interstitial, intracavity, and surface radiotherapy. It uses small sealed or partly-sealed sources that may be placed on or near the body surface or within a natural body cavity or implanted directly into the tissues. [NIH] Brain Stem: The part of the brain that connects the cerebral hemispheres with the spinal cord. It consists of the mesencephalon, pons, and medulla oblongata. [NIH]
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Breeding: The science or art of changing the constitution of a population of plants or animals through sexual reproduction. [NIH] Bronchioles: The tiny branches of air tubes in the lungs. [NIH] Buccal: Pertaining to or directed toward the cheek. In dental anatomy, used to refer to the buccal surface of a tooth. [EU] Burns: Injuries to tissues caused by contact with heat, steam, chemicals (burns, chemical), electricity (burns, electric), or the like. [NIH] Burns, Electric: Burns produced by contact with electric current or from a sudden discharge of electricity. [NIH] Bypass: A surgical procedure in which the doctor creates a new pathway for the flow of body fluids. [NIH] Capillary: Any one of the minute vessels that connect the arterioles and venules, forming a network in nearly all parts of the body. Their walls act as semipermeable membranes for the interchange of various substances, including fluids, between the blood and tissue fluid; called also vas capillare. [EU] Carbon Dioxide: A colorless, odorless gas that can be formed by the body and is necessary for the respiration cycle of plants and animals. [NIH] Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Toxic asphyxiation due to the displacement of oxygen from oxyhemoglobin by carbon monoxide. [NIH] Cardiac: Having to do with the heart. [NIH] Cardiomyopathy: A general diagnostic term designating primary myocardial disease, often of obscure or unknown etiology. [EU] Cardiopulmonary: Having to do with the heart and lungs. [NIH] Catheter: A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into or withdraw fluids from the body. [NIH] Catheterization: Use or insertion of a tubular device into a duct, blood vessel, hollow organ, or body cavity for injecting or withdrawing fluids for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. It differs from intubation in that the tube here is used to restore or maintain patency in obstructions. [NIH] Caudal: Denoting a position more toward the cauda, or tail, than some specified point of reference; same as inferior, in human anatomy. [EU] Cell: The individual unit that makes up all of the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells. [NIH] Cell Division: The fission of a cell. [NIH] Cell Respiration: The metabolic process of all living cells (animal and plant) in which oxygen is used to provide a source of energy for the cell. [NIH] Cell Size: The physical dimensions of a cell. It refers mainly to changes in dimensions correlated with physiological or pathological changes in cells. [NIH] Cell Survival: The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability. [NIH] Central Nervous System: The main information-processing organs of the nervous system, consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges. [NIH] Central Nervous System Infections: Pathogenic infections of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges. DNA virus infections; RNA virus infections; bacterial infections; mycoplasma infections; Spirochaetales infections; fungal infections; protozoan infections; helminthiasis;
Dictionary 63
and prion diseases may involve the central nervous system as a primary or secondary process. [NIH] Cerebellum: Part of the metencephalon that lies in the posterior cranial fossa behind the brain stem. It is concerned with the coordination of movement. [NIH] Cerebral: Of or pertaining of the cerebrum or the brain. [EU] Cerebral hemispheres: The two halves of the cerebrum, the part of the brain that controls muscle functions of the body and also controls speech, emotions, reading, writing, and learning. The right hemisphere controls muscle movement on the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere controls muscle movement on the right side of the body. [NIH] Cerebrospinal: Pertaining to the brain and spinal cord. [EU] Cerebrospinal fluid: CSF. The fluid flowing around the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in the ventricles in the brain. [NIH] Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres, or halves, called the cerebral hemispheres. The cerebrum controls muscle functions of the body and also controls speech, emotions, reading, writing, and learning. [NIH] Chin: The anatomical frontal portion of the mandible, also known as the mentum, that contains the line of fusion of the two separate halves of the mandible (symphysis menti). This line of fusion divides inferiorly to enclose a triangular area called the mental protuberance. On each side, inferior to the second premolar tooth, is the mental foramen for the passage of blood vessels and a nerve. [NIH] Chronic: A disease or condition that persists or progresses over a long period of time. [NIH] Chronic Disease: Disease or ailment of long duration. [NIH] Circulatory system: The system that contains the heart and the blood vessels and moves blood throughout the body. This system helps tissues get enough oxygen and nutrients, and it helps them get rid of waste products. The lymph system, which connects with the blood system, is often considered part of the circulatory system. [NIH] Clamp: A u-shaped steel rod used with a pin or wire for skeletal traction in the treatment of certain fractures. [NIH] Clinical trial: A research study that tests how well new medical treatments or other interventions work in people. Each study is designed to test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. [NIH] Cloning: The production of a number of genetically identical individuals; in genetic engineering, a process for the efficient replication of a great number of identical DNA molecules. [NIH] Collagen: A polypeptide substance comprising about one third of the total protein in mammalian organisms. It is the main constituent of skin, connective tissue, and the organic substance of bones and teeth. Different forms of collagen are produced in the body but all consist of three alpha-polypeptide chains arranged in a triple helix. Collagen is differentiated from other fibrous proteins, such as elastin, by the content of proline, hydroxyproline, and hydroxylysine; by the absence of tryptophan; and particularly by the high content of polar groups which are responsible for its swelling properties. [NIH] Colloidal: Of the nature of a colloid. [EU] Complement: A term originally used to refer to the heat-labile factor in serum that causes immune cytolysis, the lysis of antibody-coated cells, and now referring to the entire functionally related system comprising at least 20 distinct serum proteins that is the effector not only of immune cytolysis but also of other biologic functions. Complement activation
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occurs by two different sequences, the classic and alternative pathways. The proteins of the classic pathway are termed 'components of complement' and are designated by the symbols C1 through C9. C1 is a calcium-dependent complex of three distinct proteins C1q, C1r and C1s. The proteins of the alternative pathway (collectively referred to as the properdin system) and complement regulatory proteins are known by semisystematic or trivial names. Fragments resulting from proteolytic cleavage of complement proteins are designated with lower-case letter suffixes, e.g., C3a. Inactivated fragments may be designated with the suffix 'i', e.g. C3bi. Activated components or complexes with biological activity are designated by a bar over the symbol e.g. C1 or C4b,2a. The classic pathway is activated by the binding of C1 to classic pathway activators, primarily antigen-antibody complexes containing IgM, IgG1, IgG3; C1q binds to a single IgM molecule or two adjacent IgG molecules. The alternative pathway can be activated by IgA immune complexes and also by nonimmunologic materials including bacterial endotoxins, microbial polysaccharides, and cell walls. Activation of the classic pathway triggers an enzymatic cascade involving C1, C4, C2 and C3; activation of the alternative pathway triggers a cascade involving C3 and factors B, D and P. Both result in the cleavage of C5 and the formation of the membrane attack complex. Complement activation also results in the formation of many biologically active complement fragments that act as anaphylatoxins, opsonins, or chemotactic factors. [EU] Complementary and alternative medicine: CAM. Forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments. These practices are not considered standard medical approaches. CAM includes dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH] Complementary medicine: Practices not generally recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches and used to enhance or complement the standard treatments. Complementary medicine includes the taking of dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, and herbal preparations; the drinking of special teas; and practices such as massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH] Compress: A plug used to occludate an orifice in the control of bleeding, or to mop up secretions; an absorbent pad. [NIH] Computational Biology: A field of biology concerned with the development of techniques for the collection and manipulation of biological data, and the use of such data to make biological discoveries or predictions. This field encompasses all computational methods and theories applicable to molecular biology and areas of computer-based techniques for solving biological problems including manipulation of models and datasets. [NIH] Concomitant: Accompanying; accessory; joined with another. [EU] Confusion: A mental state characterized by bewilderment, emotional disturbance, lack of clear thinking, and perceptual disorientation. [NIH] Conjunctiva: The mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and the anterior part of the sclera. [NIH] Connective Tissue: Tissue that supports and binds other tissues. It consists of connective tissue cells embedded in a large amount of extracellular matrix. [NIH] Connective Tissue: Tissue that supports and binds other tissues. It consists of connective tissue cells embedded in a large amount of extracellular matrix. [NIH] Consciousness: Sense of awareness of self and of the environment. [NIH] Constriction: The act of constricting. [NIH] Contraindications: Any factor or sign that it is unwise to pursue a certain kind of action or treatment, e. g. giving a general anesthetic to a person with pneumonia. [NIH]
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Conventional therapy: A currently accepted and widely used treatment for a certain type of disease, based on the results of past research. Also called conventional treatment. [NIH] Conventional treatment: A currently accepted and widely used treatment for a certain type of disease, based on the results of past research. Also called conventional therapy. [NIH] Convulsions: A general term referring to sudden and often violent motor activity of cerebral or brainstem origin. Convulsions may also occur in the absence of an electrical cerebral discharge (e.g., in response to hypotension). [NIH] Coordination: Muscular or motor regulation or the harmonious cooperation of muscles or groups of muscles, in a complex action or series of actions. [NIH] Coronary: Encircling in the manner of a crown; a term applied to vessels; nerves, ligaments, etc. The term usually denotes the arteries that supply the heart muscle and, by extension, a pathologic involvement of them. [EU] Coronary Thrombosis: Presence of a thrombus in a coronary artery, often causing a myocardial infarction. [NIH] Cortex: The outer layer of an organ or other body structure, as distinguished from the internal substance. [EU] Cortical: Pertaining to or of the nature of a cortex or bark. [EU] Cranial: Pertaining to the cranium, or to the anterior (in animals) or superior (in humans) end of the body. [EU] Cranial Nerves: Twelve pairs of nerves that carry general afferent, visceral afferent, special afferent, somatic efferent, and autonomic efferent fibers. [NIH] Craniocerebral Trauma: Traumatic injuries involving the cranium and intracranial structures (i.e., brain; cranial nerves; meninges; and other structures). Injuries may be classified by whether or not the skull is penetrated (i.e., penetrating vs. nonpenetrating) or whether there is an associated hemorrhage. [NIH] Critical Care: Health care provided to a critically ill patient during a medical emergency or crisis. [NIH] Cultured cells: Animal or human cells that are grown in the laboratory. [NIH] Cutaneous: Having to do with the skin. [NIH] Cyanide: An extremely toxic class of compounds that can be lethal on inhaling of ingesting in minute quantities. [NIH] Decompression: Decompression external to the body, most often the slow lessening of external pressure on the whole body (especially in caisson workers, deep sea divers, and persons who ascend to great heights) to prevent decompression sickness. It includes also sudden accidental decompression, but not surgical (local) decompression or decompression applied through body openings. [NIH] Decompression Sickness: A condition occurring as a result of exposure to a rapid fall in ambient pressure. Gases, nitrogen in particular, come out of solution and form bubbles in body fluid and blood. These gas bubbles accumulate in joint spaces and the peripheral circulation impairing tissue oxygenation causing disorientation, severe pain, and potentially death. [NIH] Delusions: A false belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that persists despite the facts, and is not considered tenable by one's associates. [NIH] Dendrites: Extensions of the nerve cell body. They are short and branched and receive stimuli from other neurons. [NIH] Density: The logarithm to the base 10 of the opacity of an exposed and processed film. [NIH]
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Deprivation: Loss or absence of parts, organs, powers, or things that are needed. [EU] Dermal: Pertaining to or coming from the skin. [NIH] Diagnostic procedure: A method used to identify a disease. [NIH] Diaphragm: The musculofibrous partition that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. Contraction of the diaphragm increases the volume of the thoracic cavity aiding inspiration. [NIH] Diastolic: Of or pertaining to the diastole. [EU] Direct: 1. Straight; in a straight line. 2. Performed immediately and without the intervention of subsidiary means. [EU] Discrete: Made up of separate parts or characterized by lesions which do not become blended; not running together; separate. [NIH] Disinfectant: An agent that disinfects; applied particularly to agents used on inanimate objects. [EU] Disorientation: The loss of proper bearings, or a state of mental confusion as to time, place, or identity. [EU] Distal: Remote; farther from any point of reference; opposed to proximal. In dentistry, used to designate a position on the dental arch farther from the median line of the jaw. [EU] Dorsal: 1. Pertaining to the back or to any dorsum. 2. Denoting a position more toward the back surface than some other object of reference; same as posterior in human anatomy; superior in the anatomy of quadrupeds. [EU] Dorsum: A plate of bone which forms the posterior boundary of the sella turcica. [NIH] Drive: A state of internal activity of an organism that is a necessary condition before a given stimulus will elicit a class of responses; e.g., a certain level of hunger (drive) must be present before food will elicit an eating response. [NIH] Edema: Excessive amount of watery fluid accumulated in the intercellular spaces, most commonly present in subcutaneous tissue. [NIH] Efferent: Nerve fibers which conduct impulses from the central nervous system to muscles and glands. [NIH] Electrode: Component of the pacing system which is at the distal end of the lead. It is the interface with living cardiac tissue across which the stimulus is transmitted. [NIH] Electrolyte: A substance that dissociates into ions when fused or in solution, and thus becomes capable of conducting electricity; an ionic solute. [EU] Electrons: Stable elementary particles having the smallest known negative charge, present in all elements; also called negatrons. Positively charged electrons are called positrons. The numbers, energies and arrangement of electrons around atomic nuclei determine the chemical identities of elements. Beams of electrons are called cathode rays or beta rays, the latter being a high-energy biproduct of nuclear decay. [NIH] Electrophysiological: Pertaining to electrophysiology, that is a branch of physiology that is concerned with the electric phenomena associated with living bodies and involved in their functional activity. [EU] Embolism: Blocking of a blood vessel by a blood clot or foreign matter that has been transported from a distant site by the blood stream. [NIH] Emergency Medicine: A branch of medicine concerned with an individual's resuscitation, transportation and care from the point of injury or beginning of illness through the hospital or other emergency treatment facility. [NIH]
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Emergency Treatment: First aid or other immediate intervention for accidents or medical conditions requiring immediate care and treatment before definitive medical and surgical management can be procured. [NIH] Environmental Health: The science of controlling or modifying those conditions, influences, or forces surrounding man which relate to promoting, establishing, and maintaining health. [NIH]
Erythrocyte Volume: Volume of circulating erythrocytes. It is usually measured by radioisotope dilution technique. [NIH] Ethanol: A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in alcoholic beverages. [NIH] Eustachian tube: The middle ear cavity is in communication with the back of the nose through the Eustachian tube, which is normally closed, but opens on swallowing, in order to maintain equal air pressure. [NIH] Excitability: Property of a cardiac cell whereby, when the cell is depolarized to a critical level (called threshold), the membrane becomes permeable and a regenerative inward current causes an action potential. [NIH] Excitation: An act of irritation or stimulation or of responding to a stimulus; the addition of energy, as the excitation of a molecule by absorption of photons. [EU] Exhaustion: The feeling of weariness of mind and body. [NIH] Expiration: The act of breathing out, or expelling air from the lungs. [EU] External-beam radiation: Radiation therapy that uses a machine to aim high-energy rays at the cancer. Also called external radiation. [NIH] Extracellular: Outside a cell or cells. [EU] Extracellular Matrix: A meshwork-like substance found within the extracellular space and in association with the basement membrane of the cell surface. It promotes cellular proliferation and provides a supporting structure to which cells or cell lysates in culture dishes adhere. [NIH] Family Planning: Programs or services designed to assist the family in controlling reproduction by either improving or diminishing fertility. [NIH] Fatigue: The state of weariness following a period of exertion, mental or physical, characterized by a decreased capacity for work and reduced efficiency to respond to stimuli. [NIH]
Fibroblasts: Connective tissue cells which secrete an extracellular matrix rich in collagen and other macromolecules. [NIH] Fibronectin: An adhesive glycoprotein. One form circulates in plasma, acting as an opsonin; another is a cell-surface protein which mediates cellular adhesive interactions. [NIH] Flatus: Gas passed through the rectum. [NIH] Flow Cytometry: Technique using an instrument system for making, processing, and displaying one or more measurements on individual cells obtained from a cell suspension. Cells are usually stained with one or more fluorescent dyes specific to cell components of interest, e.g., DNA, and fluorescence of each cell is measured as it rapidly transverses the excitation beam (laser or mercury arc lamp). Fluorescence provides a quantitative measure of various biochemical and biophysical properties of the cell, as well as a basis for cell sorting. Other measurable optical parameters include light absorption and light scattering, the latter being applicable to the measurement of cell size, shape, density, granularity, and
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stain uptake. [NIH] Fluorescence: The property of emitting radiation while being irradiated. The radiation emitted is usually of longer wavelength than that incident or absorbed, e.g., a substance can be irradiated with invisible radiation and emit visible light. X-ray fluorescence is used in diagnosis. [NIH] Fluorescent Dyes: Dyes that emit light when exposed to light. The wave length of the emitted light is usually longer than that of the incident light. Fluorochromes are substances that cause fluorescence in other substances, i.e., dyes used to mark or label other compounds with fluorescent tags. They are used as markers in biochemistry and immunology. [NIH] Forearm: The part between the elbow and the wrist. [NIH] Fossa: A cavity, depression, or pit. [NIH] Friction: Surface resistance to the relative motion of one body against the rubbing, sliding, rolling, or flowing of another with which it is in contact. [NIH] Frostbite: Damage to tissues as the result of low environmental temperatures. [NIH] Gamma Rays: Very powerful and penetrating, high-energy electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength than that of x-rays. They are emitted by a decaying nucleus, usually between 0.01 and 10 MeV. They are also called nuclear x-rays. [NIH] Ganglia: Clusters of multipolar neurons surrounded by a capsule of loosely organized connective tissue located outside the central nervous system. [NIH] Ganglia, Spinal: Sensory ganglia located on the dorsal spinal roots within the vertebral column. The spinal ganglion cells are pseudounipolar. The single primary branch bifurcates sending a peripheral process to carry sensory information from the periphery and a central branch which relays that information to the spinal cord or brain. [NIH] Ganglion: 1. A knot, or knotlike mass. 2. A general term for a group of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system; occasionally applied to certain nuclear groups within the brain or spinal cord, e.g. basal ganglia. 3. A benign cystic tumour occurring on a aponeurosis or tendon, as in the wrist or dorsum of the foot; it consists of a thin fibrous capsule enclosing a clear mucinous fluid. [EU] Gangrene: Death and putrefaction of tissue usually due to a loss of blood supply. [NIH] Gas: Air that comes from normal breakdown of food. The gases are passed out of the body through the rectum (flatus) or the mouth (burp). [NIH] Gas exchange: Primary function of the lungs; transfer of oxygen from inhaled air into the blood and of carbon dioxide from the blood into the lungs. [NIH] Gas Gangrene: A severe condition resulting from bacteria invading healthy muscle from adjacent traumatized muscle or soft tissue. The infection originates in a wound contaminated with bacteria of the genus Clostridium. C. perfringens accounts for the majority of cases (over eighty percent), while C. noyvi, C. septicum, and C. histolyticum cause most of the other cases. [NIH] Gastrin: A hormone released after eating. Gastrin causes the stomach to produce more acid. [NIH]
Gastrointestinal: Refers to the stomach and intestines. [NIH] Gastrointestinal tract: The stomach and intestines. [NIH] Gene: The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein. [NIH]
Geriatric: Pertaining to the treatment of the aged. [EU]
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Germ Cells: The reproductive cells in multicellular organisms. [NIH] Gland: An organ that produces and releases one or more substances for use in the body. Some glands produce fluids that affect tissues or organs. Others produce hormones or participate in blood production. [NIH] Glucose: D-Glucose. A primary source of energy for living organisms. It is naturally occurring and is found in fruits and other parts of plants in its free state. It is used therapeutically in fluid and nutrient replacement. [NIH] Glutamate: Excitatory neurotransmitter of the brain. [NIH] Glycoprotein: A protein that has sugar molecules attached to it. [NIH] Governing Board: The group in which legal authority is vested for the control of healthrelated institutions and organizations. [NIH] Graft: Healthy skin, bone, or other tissue taken from one part of the body and used to replace diseased or injured tissue removed from another part of the body. [NIH] Growth factors: Substances made by the body that function to regulate cell division and cell survival. Some growth factors are also produced in the laboratory and used in biological therapy. [NIH] Habitat: An area considered in terms of its environment, particularly as this determines the type and quality of the vegetation the area can carry. [NIH] Headache: Pain in the cranial region that may occur as an isolated and benign symptom or as a manifestation of a wide variety of conditions including subarachnoid hemorrhage; craniocerebral trauma; central nervous system infections; intracranial hypertension; and other disorders. In general, recurrent headaches that are not associated with a primary disease process are referred to as headache disorders (e.g., migraine). [NIH] Headache Disorders: Common conditions characterized by persistent or recurrent headaches. Headache syndrome classification systems may be based on etiology (e.g., vascular headache, post-traumatic headaches, etc.), temporal pattern (e.g., cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, etc.), and precipitating factors (e.g., cough headache). [NIH] Hemorrhage: Bleeding or escape of blood from a vessel. [NIH] Hormone: A substance in the body that regulates certain organs. Hormones such as gastrin help in breaking down food. Some hormones come from cells in the stomach and small intestine. [NIH] Hyperbaric: Characterized by greater than normal pressure or weight; applied to gases under greater than atmospheric pressure, as hyperbaric oxygen, or to a solution of greater specific gravity than another taken as a standard of reference. [EU] Hyperbaric oxygen: Oxygen that is at an atmospheric pressure higher than the pressure at sea level. Breathing hyperbaric oxygen to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy is being studied. [NIH] Hypersensitivity: Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen. [NIH] Hypertension: Persistently high arterial blood pressure. Currently accepted threshold levels are 140 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. [NIH] Hypotension: Abnormally low blood pressure. [NIH] Impairment: In the context of health experience, an impairment is any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function. [NIH] Implant radiation: A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near the tumor. Also called [NIH]
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In situ: In the natural or normal place; confined to the site of origin without invasion of neighbouring tissues. [EU] In vitro: In the laboratory (outside the body). The opposite of in vivo (in the body). [NIH] In vivo: In the body. The opposite of in vitro (outside the body or in the laboratory). [NIH] Incision: A cut made in the body during surgery. [NIH] Incubator: Consists of a transparent plastic cubicle, electrical heating equipment, safety and warning devices, and oxygen and air filtering and regulating apparatus; an enclosed transparent boxlike apparatus for housing prematurely born babies under optimum conditions. [NIH] Indolent: A type of cancer that grows slowly. [NIH] Induction: The act or process of inducing or causing to occur, especially the production of a specific morphogenetic effect in the developing embryo through the influence of evocators or organizers, or the production of anaesthesia or unconsciousness by use of appropriate agents. [EU] Infarction: A pathological process consisting of a sudden insufficient blood supply to an area, which results in necrosis of that area. It is usually caused by a thrombus, an embolus, or a vascular torsion. [NIH] Infection: 1. Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues, which may be clinically unapparent or result in local cellular injury due to competitive metabolism, toxins, intracellular replication, or antigen-antibody response. The infection may remain localized, subclinical, and temporary if the body's defensive mechanisms are effective. A local infection may persist and spread by extension to become an acute, subacute, or chronic clinical infection or disease state. A local infection may also become systemic when the microorganisms gain access to the lymphatic or vascular system. 2. An infectious disease. [EU]
Infection Control: Programs of disease surveillance, generally within health care facilities, designed to investigate, prevent, and control the spread of infections and their causative microorganisms. [NIH] Inflammation: A pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cytologic and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. [NIH] Ingestion: Taking into the body by mouth [NIH] Inhalation: The drawing of air or other substances into the lungs. [EU] Insight: The capacity to understand one's own motives, to be aware of one's own psychodynamics, to appreciate the meaning of symbolic behavior. [NIH] Internal radiation: A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near the tumor. Also called brachytherapy, implant radiation, or interstitial radiation therapy. [NIH] Intoxication: Poisoning, the state of being poisoned. [EU] Intracellular: Inside a cell. [NIH] Intracranial Pressure: Pressure within the cranial cavity. It is influenced by brain mass, the circulatory system, CSF dynamics, and skull rigidity. [NIH] Intubation: Introduction of a tube into a hollow organ to restore or maintain patency if obstructed. It is differentiated from catheterization in that the insertion of a catheter is usually performed for the introducing or withdrawing of fluids from the body. [NIH] Invasive: 1. Having the quality of invasiveness. 2. Involving puncture or incision of the skin
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or insertion of an instrument or foreign material into the body; said of diagnostic techniques. [EU]
Ion Channels: Gated, ion-selective glycoproteins that traverse membranes. The stimulus for channel gating can be a membrane potential, drug, transmitter, cytoplasmic messenger, or a mechanical deformation. Ion channels which are integral parts of ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors are not included. [NIH] Ions: An atom or group of atoms that have a positive or negative electric charge due to a gain (negative charge) or loss (positive charge) of one or more electrons. Atoms with a positive charge are known as cations; those with a negative charge are anions. [NIH] Ischemia: Deficiency of blood in a part, due to functional constriction or actual obstruction of a blood vessel. [EU] Kb: A measure of the length of DNA fragments, 1 Kb = 1000 base pairs. The largest DNA fragments are up to 50 kilobases long. [NIH] Ketamine: A cyclohexanone derivative used for induction of anesthesia. Its mechanism of action is not well understood, but ketamine can block NMDA receptors (receptors, NMethyl-D-Aspartate) and may interact with sigma receptors. [NIH] Lacrimal: Pertaining to the tears. [EU] Lacrimal gland: The small almond-shaped structure that produces tears; located just above the outer corner of the eye. [NIH] Large Intestine: The part of the intestine that goes from the cecum to the rectum. The large intestine absorbs water from stool and changes it from a liquid to a solid form. The large intestine is 5 feet long and includes the appendix, cecum, colon, and rectum. Also called colon. [NIH] Lethal: Deadly, fatal. [EU] Ligament: A band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilages, serving to support and strengthen joints. [EU] Lip: Either of the two fleshy, full-blooded margins of the mouth. [NIH] Localized: Cancer which has not metastasized yet. [NIH] Lupus: A form of cutaneous tuberculosis. It is seen predominantly in women and typically involves the nasal, buccal, and conjunctival mucosa. [NIH] Lymph: The almost colorless fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infection and disease. [NIH] Lymph node: A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Also known as a lymph gland. Lymph nodes are spread out along lymphatic vessels and contain many lymphocytes, which filter the lymphatic fluid (lymph). [NIH]
Lymphatic: The tissues and organs, including the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes, that produce and store cells that fight infection and disease. [NIH] Mechanical ventilation: Use of a machine called a ventilator or respirator to improve the exchange of air between the lungs and the atmosphere. [NIH] MEDLINE: An online database of MEDLARS, the computerized bibliographic Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System of the National Library of Medicine. [NIH] Membrane: A very thin layer of tissue that covers a surface. [NIH] Memory: Complex mental function having four distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning, (2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is usually subdivided into immediate, recent, and remote memory. [NIH]
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Meninges: The three membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. [NIH] Mental: Pertaining to the mind; psychic. 2. (L. mentum chin) pertaining to the chin. [EU] Mental Health: The state wherein the person is well adjusted. [NIH] Mercury: A silver metallic element that exists as a liquid at room temperature. It has the atomic symbol Hg (from hydrargyrum, liquid silver), atomic number 80, and atomic weight 200.59. Mercury is used in many industrial applications and its salts have been employed therapeutically as purgatives, antisyphilitics, disinfectants, and astringents. It can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes which leads to mercury poisoning. Because of its toxicity, the clinical use of mercury and mercurials is diminishing. [NIH] MI: Myocardial infarction. Gross necrosis of the myocardium as a result of interruption of the blood supply to the area; it is almost always caused by atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, upon which coronary thrombosis is usually superimposed. [NIH] Microbe: An organism which cannot be observed with the naked eye; e. g. unicellular animals, lower algae, lower fungi, bacteria. [NIH] Mitosis: A method of indirect cell division by means of which the two daughter nuclei normally receive identical complements of the number of chromosomes of the somatic cells of the species. [NIH] Molecular: Of, pertaining to, or composed of molecules : a very small mass of matter. [EU] Monitor: An apparatus which automatically records such physiological signs as respiration, pulse, and blood pressure in an anesthetized patient or one undergoing surgical or other procedures. [NIH] Monoclonal: An antibody produced by culturing a single type of cell. It therefore consists of a single species of immunoglobulin molecules. [NIH] Motion Sickness: Sickness caused by motion, as sea sickness, train sickness, car sickness, and air sickness. [NIH] Motor Activity: The physical activity of an organism as a behavioral phenomenon. [NIH] Mucosa: A mucous membrane, or tunica mucosa. [EU] Myocardial infarction: Gross necrosis of the myocardium as a result of interruption of the blood supply to the area; it is almost always caused by atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, upon which coronary thrombosis is usually superimposed. [NIH] Myocardium: The muscle tissue of the heart composed of striated, involuntary muscle known as cardiac muscle. [NIH] Narcosis: A general and nonspecific reversible depression of neuronal excitability, produced by a number of physical and chemical aspects, usually resulting in stupor. [NIH] Narcotic: 1. Pertaining to or producing narcosis. 2. An agent that produces insensibility or stupor, applied especially to the opioids, i.e. to any natural or synthetic drug that has morphine-like actions. [EU] Nausea: An unpleasant sensation in the stomach usually accompanied by the urge to vomit. Common causes are early pregnancy, sea and motion sickness, emotional stress, intense pain, food poisoning, and various enteroviruses. [NIH] Necrosis: A pathological process caused by the progressive degradative action of enzymes that is generally associated with severe cellular trauma. It is characterized by mitochondrial swelling, nuclear flocculation, uncontrolled cell lysis, and ultimately cell death. [NIH] Neonatal: Pertaining to the first four weeks after birth. [EU] Nerve: A cordlike structure of nervous tissue that connects parts of the nervous system with
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other tissues of the body and conveys nervous impulses to, or away from, these tissues. [NIH] Nervous System: The entire nerve apparatus composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and ganglia. [NIH] Neurology: A medical specialty concerned with the study of the structures, functions, and diseases of the nervous system. [NIH] Neuronal: Pertaining to a neuron or neurons (= conducting cells of the nervous system). [EU] Neurons: The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the nervous system. [NIH] Neurosurgical Procedures: Surgery performed on the nervous system or its parts. [NIH] Neurotoxic: Poisonous or destructive to nerve tissue. [EU] Neurotoxicity: The tendency of some treatments to cause damage to the nervous system. [NIH]
Neurotransmitter: Any of a group of substances that are released on excitation from the axon terminal of a presynaptic neuron of the central or peripheral nervous system and travel across the synaptic cleft to either excite or inhibit the target cell. Among the many substances that have the properties of a neurotransmitter are acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, glycine, y-aminobutyrate, glutamic acid, substance P, enkephalins, endorphins, and serotonin. [EU] Neutrons: Electrically neutral elementary particles found in all atomic nuclei except light hydrogen; the mass is equal to that of the proton and electron combined and they are unstable when isolated from the nucleus, undergoing beta decay. Slow, thermal, epithermal, and fast neutrons refer to the energy levels with which the neutrons are ejected from heavier nuclei during their decay. [NIH] Nitrogen: An element with the atomic symbol N, atomic number 7, and atomic weight 14. Nitrogen exists as a diatomic gas and makes up about 78% of the earth's atmosphere by volume. It is a constituent of proteins and nucleic acids and found in all living cells. [NIH] Nitrous Oxide: Nitrogen oxide (N2O). A colorless, odorless gas that is used as an anesthetic and analgesic. High concentrations cause a narcotic effect and may replace oxygen, causing death by asphyxia. It is also used as a food aerosol in the preparation of whipping cream. [NIH]
Nuclei: A body of specialized protoplasm found in nearly all cells and containing the chromosomes. [NIH] Nucleic acid: Either of two types of macromolecule (DNA or RNA) formed by polymerization of nucleotides. Nucleic acids are found in all living cells and contain the information (genetic code) for the transfer of genetic information from one generation to the next. [NIH] Oocytes: Female germ cells in stages between the prophase of the first maturation division and the completion of the second maturation division. [NIH] Organ Preservation: The process by which organs are kept viable outside of the organism from which they were removed (i.e., kept from decay by means of a chemical agent, cooling, or a fluid substitute that mimics the natural state within the organism). [NIH] Osteomyelitis: Inflammation of bone caused by a pyogenic organism. It may remain localized or may spread through the bone to involve the marrow, cortex, cancellous tissue, and periosteum. [EU] Outpatient: A patient who is not an inmate of a hospital but receives diagnosis or treatment in a clinic or dispensary connected with the hospital. [NIH]
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Oxygen Consumption: The oxygen consumption is determined by calculating the difference between the amount of oxygen inhaled and exhaled. [NIH] Oxygenation: The process of supplying, treating, or mixing with oxygen. No:1245 oxygenation the process of supplying, treating, or mixing with oxygen. [EU] Oxygenator: An apparatus by which oxygen is introduced into the blood during circulation outside the body, as during open heart surgery. [NIH] Pathologic: 1. Indicative of or caused by a morbid condition. 2. Pertaining to pathology (= branch of medicine that treats the essential nature of the disease, especially the structural and functional changes in tissues and organs of the body caused by the disease). [EU] Pelvic: Pertaining to the pelvis. [EU] Penicillin: An antibiotic drug used to treat infection. [NIH] Peptide: Any compound consisting of two or more amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Peptides are combined to make proteins. [NIH] Perioperative: Around the time of surgery; usually lasts from the time of going into the hospital or doctor's office for surgery until the time the patient goes home. [NIH] Peripheral Nerves: The nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, including the autonomic, cranial, and spinal nerves. Peripheral nerves contain non-neuronal cells and connective tissue as well as axons. The connective tissue layers include, from the outside to the inside, the epineurium, the perineurium, and the endoneurium. [NIH] Peripheral Nervous System: The nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system has autonomic and somatic divisions. The autonomic nervous system includes the enteric, parasympathetic, and sympathetic subdivisions. The somatic nervous system includes the cranial and spinal nerves and their ganglia and the peripheral sensory receptors. [NIH] Pharmacologic: Pertaining to pharmacology or to the properties and reactions of drugs. [EU] Photoreceptors: Cells specialized to detect and transduce light. [NIH] Physiologic: Having to do with the functions of the body. When used in the phrase "physiologic age," it refers to an age assigned by general health, as opposed to calendar age. [NIH]
Physiology: The science that deals with the life processes and functions of organismus, their cells, tissues, and organs. [NIH] Plants: Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of the kingdom Plantae. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (meristems); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absense of nervous and sensory systems; and an alteration of haploid and diploid generations. [NIH] Plasma: The clear, yellowish, fluid part of the blood that carries the blood cells. The proteins that form blood clots are in plasma. [NIH] Plasma Volume: Volume of plasma in the circulation. It is usually measured by indicator dilution techniques. [NIH] Pneumonia: Inflammation of the lungs. [NIH] Poisoning: A condition or physical state produced by the ingestion, injection or inhalation of, or exposure to a deleterious agent. [NIH] Port: An implanted device through which blood may be withdrawn and drugs may be infused without repeated needle sticks. Also called a port-a-cath. [NIH]
Dictionary 75
Port-a-cath: An implanted device through which blood may be withdrawn and drugs may be infused without repeated needle sticks. Also called a port. [NIH] Posterior: Situated in back of, or in the back part of, or affecting the back or dorsal surface of the body. In lower animals, it refers to the caudal end of the body. [EU] Potentiate: A degree of synergism which causes the exposure of the organism to a harmful substance to worsen a disease already contracted. [NIH] Practice Guidelines: Directions or principles presenting current or future rules of policy for the health care practitioner to assist him in patient care decisions regarding diagnosis, therapy, or related clinical circumstances. The guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing boards, or by the convening of expert panels. The guidelines form a basis for the evaluation of all aspects of health care and delivery. [NIH] Precursor: Something that precedes. In biological processes, a substance from which another, usually more active or mature substance is formed. In clinical medicine, a sign or symptom that heralds another. [EU] Prophase: The first phase of cell division, in which the chromosomes become visible, the nucleus starts to lose its identity, the spindle appears, and the centrioles migrate toward opposite poles. [NIH] Prostate: A gland in males that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra. It secretes a substance that liquifies coagulated semen. It is situated in the pelvic cavity behind the lower part of the pubic symphysis, above the deep layer of the triangular ligament, and rests upon the rectum. [NIH] Protein S: The vitamin K-dependent cofactor of activated protein C. Together with protein C, it inhibits the action of factors VIIIa and Va. A deficiency in protein S can lead to recurrent venous and arterial thrombosis. [NIH] Proteins: Polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. The specific sequence of amino acids determines the shape and function of the protein. [NIH] Protons: Stable elementary particles having the smallest known positive charge, found in the nuclei of all elements. The proton mass is less than that of a neutron. A proton is the nucleus of the light hydrogen atom, i.e., the hydrogen ion. [NIH] Psychiatry: The medical science that deals with the origin, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders. [NIH] Psychic: Pertaining to the psyche or to the mind; mental. [EU] Public Policy: A course or method of action selected, usually by a government, from among alternatives to guide and determine present and future decisions. [NIH] Pulmonary: Relating to the lungs. [NIH] Pulmonary Artery: The short wide vessel arising from the conus arteriosus of the right ventricle and conveying unaerated blood to the lungs. [NIH] Pulmonary Edema: An accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in the lungs, may be caused by acute exposure to dangerous concentrations of irritant gasses. [NIH] Pulmonary Emphysema: Condition of the lungs characterized by increase beyond normal in the size of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, either from dilatation of the alveoli or from destruction of their walls. [NIH] Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: A disease of unknown etiology characterized by tuberclelike, granulomatous nodules which may affect the skin, the lungs, the lymph nodes, the bones of the distal extremities, the conjunctiva, the lacrimal gland, the retina and the uveal tract. [NIH]
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Pulse: The rhythmical expansion and contraction of an artery produced by waves of pressure caused by the ejection of blood from the left ventricle of the heart as it contracts. [NIH]
Putrefaction: The process of decomposition of animal and vegetable matter by living organisms. [NIH] Pyogenic: Producing pus; pyopoietic (= liquid inflammation product made up of cells and a thin fluid called liquor puris). [EU] Radiation: Emission or propagation of electromagnetic energy (waves/rays), or the waves/rays themselves; a stream of electromagnetic particles (electrons, neutrons, protons, alpha particles) or a mixture of these. The most common source is the sun. [NIH] Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body in the area near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, or brachytherapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that circulates throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy. [NIH] Radioactive: Giving off radiation. [NIH] Radiolabeled: Any compound that has been joined with a radioactive substance. [NIH] Radiotherapy: The use of ionizing radiation to treat malignant neoplasms and other benign conditions. The most common forms of ionizing radiation used as therapy are x-rays, gamma rays, and electrons. A special form of radiotherapy, targeted radiotherapy, links a cytotoxic radionuclide to a molecule that targets the tumor. When this molecule is an antibody or other immunologic molecule, the technique is called radioimmunotherapy. [NIH] Reabsorption: 1. The act or process of absorbing again, as the selective absorption by the kidneys of substances (glucose, proteins, sodium, etc.) already secreted into the renal tubules, and their return to the circulating blood. 2. Resorption. [EU] Recombinant: A cell or an individual with a new combination of genes not found together in either parent; usually applied to linked genes. [EU] Rectal: By or having to do with the rectum. The rectum is the last 8 to 10 inches of the large intestine and ends at the anus. [NIH] Rectum: The last 8 to 10 inches of the large intestine. [NIH] Recur: To occur again. Recurrence is the return of cancer, at the same site as the original (primary) tumor or in another location, after the tumor had disappeared. [NIH] Refer: To send or direct for treatment, aid, information, de decision. [NIH] Refraction: A test to determine the best eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct a refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism). [NIH] Refractory: Not readily yielding to treatment. [EU] Regimen: A treatment plan that specifies the dosage, the schedule, and the duration of treatment. [NIH] Respiration: The act of breathing with the lungs, consisting of inspiration, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of expiration, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more carbon dioxide than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration (= oxygen consumption) or cell respiration (= cell respiration). [NIH] Respirator: A mechanical device that helps a patient breathe; a mechanical ventilator. [NIH]
Dictionary 77
Respiratory Physiology: Functions and activities of the respiratory tract as a whole or of any of its parts. [NIH] Resuscitation: The restoration to life or consciousness of one apparently dead; it includes such measures as artificial respiration and cardiac massage. [EU] Retina: The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the optic nerve and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the choroid and the inner surface with the vitreous body. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent. [NIH] Rheumatism: A group of disorders marked by inflammation or pain in the connective tissue structures of the body. These structures include bone, cartilage, and fat. [NIH] Rheumatoid: Resembling rheumatism. [EU] Rheumatoid arthritis: A form of arthritis, the cause of which is unknown, although infection, hypersensitivity, hormone imbalance and psychologic stress have been suggested as possible causes. [NIH] Rod: A reception for vision, located in the retina. [NIH] Screening: Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. [NIH] Semen: The thick, yellowish-white, viscid fluid secretion of male reproductive organs discharged upon ejaculation. In addition to reproductive organ secretions, it contains spermatozoa and their nutrient plasma. [NIH] Senescence: The bodily and mental state associated with advancing age. [NIH] Side effect: A consequence other than the one(s) for which an agent or measure is used, as the adverse effects produced by a drug, especially on a tissue or organ system other than the one sought to be benefited by its administration. [EU] Skeletal: Having to do with the skeleton (boney part of the body). [NIH] Skeleton: The framework that supports the soft tissues of vertebrate animals and protects many of their internal organs. The skeletons of vertebrates are made of bone and/or cartilage. [NIH] Skin graft: Skin that is moved from one part of the body to another. [NIH] Skull: The skeleton of the head including the bones of the face and the bones enclosing the brain. [NIH] Small intestine: The part of the digestive tract that is located between the stomach and the large intestine. [NIH] Social Problems: Situations affecting a significant number of people, that are believed to be sources of difficulty or threaten the stability of the community, and that require programs of amelioration. [NIH] Sodium: An element that is a member of the alkali group of metals. It has the atomic symbol Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23. With a valence of 1, it has a strong affinity for oxygen and other nonmetallic elements. Sodium provides the chief cation of the extracellular body fluids. Its salts are the most widely used in medicine. (From Dorland, 27th ed) Physiologically the sodium ion plays a major role in blood pressure regulation, maintenance of fluid volume, and electrolyte balance. [NIH] Soft tissue: Refers to muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue of the body. [NIH] Solvent: 1. Dissolving; effecting a solution. 2. A liquid that dissolves or that is capable of dissolving; the component of a solution that is present in greater amount. [EU]
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Somatic: 1. Pertaining to or characteristic of the soma or body. 2. Pertaining to the body wall in contrast to the viscera. [EU] Somatic cells: All the body cells except the reproductive (germ) cells. [NIH] Specialist: In medicine, one who concentrates on 1 special branch of medical science. [NIH] Species: A taxonomic category subordinate to a genus (or subgenus) and superior to a subspecies or variety, composed of individuals possessing common characters distinguishing them from other categories of individuals of the same taxonomic level. In taxonomic nomenclature, species are designated by the genus name followed by a Latin or Latinized adjective or noun. [EU] Spectrometer: An apparatus for determining spectra; measures quantities such as wavelengths and relative amplitudes of components. [NIH] Spectrum: A charted band of wavelengths of electromagnetic vibrations obtained by refraction and diffraction. By extension, a measurable range of activity, such as the range of bacteria affected by an antibiotic (antibacterial s.) or the complete range of manifestations of a disease. [EU] Spinal cord: The main trunk or bundle of nerves running down the spine through holes in the spinal bone (the vertebrae) from the brain to the level of the lower back. [NIH] Spinal Nerves: The 31 paired peripheral nerves formed by the union of the dorsal and ventral spinal roots from each spinal cord segment. The spinal nerve plexuses and the spinal roots are also included. [NIH] Stasis: A word termination indicating the maintenance of (or maintaining) a constant level; preventing increase or multiplication. [EU] Steel: A tough, malleable, iron-based alloy containing up to, but no more than, two percent carbon and often other metals. It is used in medicine and dentistry in implants and instrumentation. [NIH] Sterilization: The destroying of all forms of life, especially microorganisms, by heat, chemical, or other means. [NIH] Steroids: Drugs used to relieve swelling and inflammation. [NIH] Stimulus: That which can elicit or evoke action (response) in a muscle, nerve, gland or other excitable issue, or cause an augmenting action upon any function or metabolic process. [NIH] Stomach: An organ of digestion situated in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen between the termination of the esophagus and the beginning of the duodenum. [NIH] Stress: Forcibly exerted influence; pressure. Any condition or situation that causes strain or tension. Stress may be either physical or psychologic, or both. [NIH] Stupor: Partial or nearly complete unconsciousness, manifested by the subject's responding only to vigorous stimulation. Also, in psychiatry, a disorder marked by reduced responsiveness. [EU] Subacute: Somewhat acute; between acute and chronic. [EU] Subarachnoid: Situated or occurring between the arachnoid and the pia mater. [EU] Subclinical: Without clinical manifestations; said of the early stage(s) of an infection or other disease or abnormality before symptoms and signs become apparent or detectable by clinical examination or laboratory tests, or of a very mild form of an infection or other disease or abnormality. [EU] Subcutaneous: Beneath the skin. [NIH] Suction: The removal of secretions, gas or fluid from hollow or tubular organs or cavities by
Dictionary 79
means of a tube and a device that acts on negative pressure. [NIH] Suspensions: Colloids with liquid continuous phase and solid dispersed phase; the term is used loosely also for solid-in-gas (aerosol) and other colloidal systems; water-insoluble drugs may be given as suspensions. [NIH] Symphysis: A secondary cartilaginous joint. [NIH] Symptomatic: Having to do with symptoms, which are signs of a condition or disease. [NIH] Systemic: Affecting the entire body. [NIH] Systolic: Indicating the maximum arterial pressure during contraction of the left ventricle of the heart. [EU] Thermal: Pertaining to or characterized by heat. [EU] Thoracic: Having to do with the chest. [NIH] Threshold: For a specified sensory modality (e. g. light, sound, vibration), the lowest level (absolute threshold) or smallest difference (difference threshold, difference limen) or intensity of the stimulus discernible in prescribed conditions of stimulation. [NIH] Tissue: A group or layer of cells that are alike in type and work together to perform a specific function. [NIH] Topical: On the surface of the body. [NIH] Toxic: Having to do with poison or something harmful to the body. Toxic substances usually cause unwanted side effects. [NIH] Toxicity: The quality of being poisonous, especially the degree of virulence of a toxic microbe or of a poison. [EU] Toxicology: The science concerned with the detection, chemical composition, and pharmacologic action of toxic substances or poisons and the treatment and prevention of toxic manifestations. [NIH] Toxins: Specific, characterizable, poisonous chemicals, often proteins, with specific biological properties, including immunogenicity, produced by microbes, higher plants, or animals. [NIH] Traction: The act of pulling. [NIH] Transfection: The uptake of naked or purified DNA into cells, usually eukaryotic. It is analogous to bacterial transformation. [NIH] Transmitter: A chemical substance which effects the passage of nerve impulses from one cell to the other at the synapse. [NIH] Transplantation: Transference of a tissue or organ, alive or dead, within an individual, between individuals of the same species, or between individuals of different species. [NIH] Tuberculosis: Any of the infectious diseases of man and other animals caused by species of Mycobacterium. [NIH] Ulcer: A localized necrotic lesion of the skin or a mucous surface. [NIH] Ulceration: 1. The formation or development of an ulcer. 2. An ulcer. [EU] Unconscious: Experience which was once conscious, but was subsequently rejected, as the "personal unconscious". [NIH] Urethra: The tube through which urine leaves the body. It empties urine from the bladder. [NIH]
Urine: Fluid containing water and waste products. Urine is made by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and leaves the body through the urethra. [NIH]
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Uveal tract: The middle coat of the eyeball, consisting of the choroid in the back of the eye and the ciliary body and iris in the front of the eye. [NIH] Valves: Flap-like structures that control the direction of blood flow through the heart. [NIH] Vascular: Pertaining to blood vessels or indicative of a copious blood supply. [EU] Veins: The vessels carrying blood toward the heart. [NIH] Venous: Of or pertaining to the veins. [EU] Venous Insufficiency: Inadequacy of the venous valves and impairment of venous return (venous stasis) usually from the legs, often with edema and sometimes with stasis ulcers at the ankle. [NIH] Ventilation: 1. In respiratory physiology, the process of exchange of air between the lungs and the ambient air. Pulmonary ventilation (usually measured in litres per minute) refers to the total exchange, whereas alveolar ventilation refers to the effective ventilation of the alveoli, in which gas exchange with the blood takes place. 2. In psychiatry, verbalization of one's emotional problems. [EU] Ventricles: Fluid-filled cavities in the heart or brain. [NIH] Venules: The minute vessels that collect blood from the capillary plexuses and join together to form veins. [NIH] Vertebrae: A bony unit of the segmented spinal column. [NIH] Vertebral: Of or pertaining to a vertebra. [EU] Veterinary Medicine: The medical science concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in animals. [NIH] Virulence: The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of microorganisms or viruses as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host. [NIH] Visceral: , from viscus a viscus) pertaining to a viscus. [EU] Vitro: Descriptive of an event or enzyme reaction under experimental investigation occurring outside a living organism. Parts of an organism or microorganism are used together with artificial substrates and/or conditions. [NIH] Vivo: Outside of or removed from the body of a living organism. [NIH] X-ray: High-energy radiation used in low doses to diagnose diseases and in high doses to treat cancer. [NIH]
81
INDEX A Accommodation, 32, 59 Adjustment, 24, 32, 59 Adverse Effect, 59, 77 Aerosol, 59, 73, 79 Afferent, 59, 65 Air Embolism, 13, 59 Air Pressure, 23, 30, 33, 38, 59, 67 Air Sacs, 59 Algorithms, 59, 61 Alpha Particles, 59, 76 Alternative medicine, 59 Alveoli, 59, 75, 80 Amino acid, 59, 60, 74, 75 Analgesic, 59, 73 Anatomical, 59, 60, 63, 69 Anesthesia, 6, 9, 59, 60, 71 Anesthetics, 6, 60 Ankle, 60, 80 Antagonism, 5, 60 Antibacterial, 60, 78 Antibiotic, 60, 74, 78 Antibody, 60, 63, 70, 72, 76 Antigen, 60, 64, 69, 70 Anus, 60, 76 Anxiety, 9, 12, 60 Arrhythmia, 48, 60 Arterial, 13, 60, 69, 75, 79 Arteries, 60, 61, 65, 72 Arterioles, 60, 61, 62 Artery, 60, 65, 76 Aspartate, 6, 60, 71 Asphyxia, 9, 14, 60, 73 Asymptomatic, 8, 60 Atmospheric Pressure, 4, 5, 18, 21, 22, 26, 35, 60, 69 Atrial, 8, 9, 60 Atrial Natriuretic Factor, 8, 9, 60 Atrium, 60 Autonomic, 61, 65, 74 Autonomic Nervous System, 61, 74 Axons, 61, 74 B Bacteria, 26, 60, 61, 68, 72, 78 Bactericidal, 61, 67 Barotrauma, 9, 12, 61 Benign, 61, 68, 69, 76 Bewilderment, 61, 64
Biochemical, 61, 67 Biological therapy, 61, 69 Biotechnology, 7, 43, 61 Bladder, 22, 61, 75, 79 Blood pressure, 7, 14, 18, 61, 69, 72, 77 Blood vessel, 31, 61, 62, 63, 66, 71, 77, 80 Blood Volume, 7, 61 Body Fluids, 61, 62, 77 Brachytherapy, 61, 70, 76 Brain Stem, 61, 63 Breeding, 4, 5, 62 Bronchioles, 59, 62, 75 Buccal, 62, 71 Burns, 25, 62 Burns, Electric, 62 Bypass, 25, 62 C Capillary, 24, 62, 80 Carbon Dioxide, 15, 22, 29, 62, 68, 76 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, 20, 26, 62 Cardiac, 13, 19, 62, 66, 67, 72, 77 Cardiomyopathy, 12, 62 Cardiopulmonary, 6, 27, 62 Catheter, 62, 70 Catheterization, 62, 70 Caudal, 31, 62, 75 Cell, 12, 61, 62, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 79 Cell Division, 61, 62, 69, 72, 74, 75 Cell Respiration, 62, 76 Cell Size, 62, 67 Cell Survival, 62, 69 Central Nervous System, 31, 61, 62, 66, 68, 69 Central Nervous System Infections, 62, 69 Cerebellum, 32, 63 Cerebral, 27, 31, 32, 61, 63, 65 Cerebral hemispheres, 61, 63 Cerebrospinal, 31, 63 Cerebrospinal fluid, 31, 63 Cerebrum, 32, 63 Chin, 63, 72 Chronic, 4, 21, 32, 38, 63, 70, 78 Chronic Disease, 38, 63 Circulatory system, 21, 59, 63, 70 Clamp, 6, 63 Clinical trial, 3, 43, 63 Cloning, 61, 63
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Collagen, 59, 63, 67 Colloidal, 63, 79 Complement, 63, 64 Complementary and alternative medicine, 11, 16, 64 Complementary medicine, 11, 64 Compress, 30, 64 Computational Biology, 43, 64 Concomitant, 26, 64 Confusion, 7, 64, 66 Conjunctiva, 64, 75 Connective Tissue, 63, 64, 68, 71, 74, 77 Consciousness, 59, 64, 77 Constriction, 64, 71 Contraindications, ii, 64 Conventional therapy, 65 Conventional treatment, 21, 65 Convulsions, 10, 65 Coordination, 4, 63, 65 Coronary, 65, 72 Coronary Thrombosis, 65, 72 Cortex, 65, 73 Cortical, 27, 65 Cranial, 32, 63, 65, 69, 70, 74 Cranial Nerves, 32, 65 Craniocerebral Trauma, 65, 69 Critical Care, 16, 18, 27, 65 Cultured cells, 4, 65 Cutaneous, 65, 71 Cyanide, 25, 65 D Decompression, 8, 10, 18, 20, 21, 23, 26, 35, 36, 65 Decompression Sickness, 21, 23, 26, 35, 36, 65 Delusions, 7, 65 Dendrites, 65, 73 Density, 65, 67 Deprivation, 33, 66 Dermal, 4, 66 Diagnostic procedure, 17, 66 Diaphragm, 30, 66 Diastolic, 66, 69 Direct, iii, 4, 5, 10, 27, 66, 76 Discrete, 20, 66 Disinfectant, 66, 67 Disorientation, 7, 64, 65, 66 Distal, 66, 75 Dorsal, 32, 66, 68, 75, 78 Dorsum, 66, 68 Drive, ii, vi, 30, 66
E Edema, 24, 31, 66, 80 Efferent, 65, 66 Electrode, 6, 66 Electrolyte, 7, 66, 77 Electrons, 66, 71, 76 Electrophysiological, 5, 66 Embolism, 14, 25, 66 Emergency Medicine, 14, 66 Emergency Treatment, 66, 67 Environmental Health, 42, 44, 67 Erythrocyte Volume, 61, 67 Ethanol, 5, 67 Eustachian tube, 61, 67 Excitability, 67, 72 Excitation, 67, 73 Exhaustion, 60, 67 Expiration, 67, 76 External-beam radiation, 67, 76 Extracellular, 31, 64, 67, 77 Extracellular Matrix, 64, 67 F Family Planning, 43, 67 Fatigue, 19, 67 Fibroblasts, 4, 67 Fibronectin, 4, 67 Flatus, 67, 68 Flow Cytometry, 4, 67 Fluorescence, 67, 68 Fluorescent Dyes, 67, 68 Forearm, 61, 68 Fossa, 63, 68 Friction, 30, 68 Frostbite, 25, 68 G Gamma Rays, 68, 76 Ganglia, 32, 68, 73, 74 Ganglia, Spinal, 32, 68 Ganglion, 68 Gangrene, 21, 36, 68 Gas, 6, 10, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34, 36, 62, 65, 67, 68, 73, 78, 79, 80 Gas exchange, 68, 80 Gas Gangrene, 25, 68 Gastrin, 68, 69 Gastrointestinal, 67, 68 Gastrointestinal tract, 67, 68 Gene, 61, 68 Geriatric, 6, 68 Germ Cells, 69, 73 Gland, 69, 71, 75, 78 Glucose, 12, 69, 76
83
Glutamate, 6, 69 Glycoprotein, 67, 69 Governing Board, 69, 75 Graft, 69 Growth factors, 4, 69 H Habitat, 8, 22, 69 Headache, 15, 22, 69 Headache Disorders, 69 Hemorrhage, 31, 65, 69 Hormone, 7, 68, 69, 77 Hyperbaric oxygen, 13, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33, 69 Hypersensitivity, 69, 77 Hypertension, 4, 69 Hypotension, 65, 69 I Impairment, 7, 61, 69, 80 Implant radiation, 69, 70, 76 In situ, 37, 70 In vitro, 4, 70 In vivo, 4, 5, 70 Incision, 70 Incubator, 4, 70 Indolent, 4, 70 Induction, 70, 71 Infarction, 70 Infection, 26, 61, 68, 70, 71, 74, 77, 78 Infection Control, 26, 70 Inflammation, 70, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78 Ingestion, 70, 74 Inhalation, 21, 25, 59, 70, 74 Insight, 6, 70 Internal radiation, 70, 76 Intoxication, 21, 70 Intracellular, 13, 31, 70 Intracranial Pressure, 31, 70 Intubation, 15, 62, 70 Invasive, 27, 70 Ion Channels, 5, 71 Ions, 66, 71 Ischemia, 27, 71 K Kb, 42, 71 Ketamine, 6, 71 L Lacrimal, 71, 75 Lacrimal gland, 71, 75 Large Intestine, 71, 76, 77 Lethal, 61, 65, 71 Ligament, 71, 75 Lip, 32, 71
Localized, 70, 71, 73, 74, 79 Lupus, 38, 71 Lymph, 63, 71, 75 Lymph node, 71, 75 Lymphatic, 70, 71 M Mechanical ventilation, 16, 71 MEDLINE, 43, 71 Membrane, 9, 14, 64, 67, 71, 72, 77 Memory, 7, 71 Meninges, 62, 65, 72 Mental, iv, 3, 27, 42, 44, 63, 64, 66, 67, 71, 72, 75, 77 Mental Health, iv, 3, 27, 42, 44, 72 Mercury, 67, 72 MI, 57, 72 Microbe, 72, 79 Mitosis, 4, 72 Molecular, 5, 43, 45, 60, 61, 64, 72 Monitor, 16, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, 72 Monoclonal, 72, 76 Motion Sickness, 72 Motor Activity, 65, 72 Mucosa, 71, 72 Myocardial infarction, 27, 65, 72 Myocardium, 72 N Narcosis, 37, 72 Narcotic, 72, 73 Nausea, 22, 72 Necrosis, 70, 72 Neonatal, 4, 72 Nerve, 32, 59, 61, 63, 65, 66, 68, 72, 73, 77, 78, 79 Nervous System, 31, 59, 61, 62, 63, 72, 73, 74 Neurology, 13, 27, 73 Neuronal, 72, 73, 74 Neurons, 6, 27, 65, 68, 73 Neurosurgical Procedures, 31, 73 Neurotoxic, 6, 73 Neurotoxicity, 6, 73 Neurotransmitter, 59, 69, 71, 73 Neutrons, 59, 73, 76 Nitrogen, 21, 37, 65, 73 Nitrous Oxide, 6, 28, 73 Nuclei, 59, 66, 72, 73, 75 Nucleic acid, 73 O Oocytes, 6, 73 Organ Preservation, 25, 73 Osteomyelitis, 21, 73
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Hyperbaric Chamber
Outpatient, 4, 73 Oxygen Consumption, 74, 76 Oxygenation, 25, 27, 65, 74 Oxygenator, 9, 14, 74 P Pathologic, 15, 31, 65, 69, 74 Pelvic, 74, 75 Penicillin, 26, 60, 74 Peptide, 59, 60, 74, 75 Perioperative, 31, 74 Peripheral Nerves, 32, 74, 78 Peripheral Nervous System, 32, 73, 74 Pharmacologic, 59, 74, 79 Photoreceptors, 74 Physiologic, 31, 74 Physiology, 13, 66, 74 Plants, 62, 69, 74, 79 Plasma, 26, 31, 32, 61, 67, 74, 77 Plasma Volume, 61, 74 Pneumonia, 64, 74 Poisoning, 23, 25, 26, 70, 72, 74 Port, 29, 74, 75 Port-a-cath, 74, 75 Posterior, 63, 66, 75 Potentiate, 6, 75 Practice Guidelines, 44, 75 Precursor, 60, 75 Prophase, 73, 75 Prostate, 12, 75 Protein S, 61, 75 Proteins, 59, 60, 63, 73, 74, 75, 76, 79 Protons, 59, 75, 76 Psychiatry, 75, 78, 80 Psychic, 72, 75 Public Policy, 43, 75 Pulmonary, 4, 5, 8, 12, 14, 15, 22, 61, 75, 80 Pulmonary Artery, 61, 75 Pulmonary Edema, 22, 75 Pulmonary Emphysema, 15, 75 Pulmonary Sarcoidosis, 8, 75 Pulse, 72, 76 Putrefaction, 68, 76 Pyogenic, 73, 76 R Radiation, 19, 21, 67, 68, 69, 70, 76, 80 Radiation therapy, 21, 67, 69, 70, 76 Radioactive, 69, 70, 76 Radiolabeled, 76 Radiotherapy, 61, 76 Reabsorption, 21, 76 Recombinant, 5, 76 Rectal, 19, 76
Rectum, 60, 67, 68, 71, 75, 76 Recur, 4, 76 Refer, 1, 32, 62, 63, 73, 76 Refraction, 76, 78 Refractory, 21, 76 Regimen, 26, 76 Respiration, 31, 62, 72, 76, 77 Respirator, 71, 76 Respiratory Physiology, 77, 80 Resuscitation, 27, 66, 77 Retina, 75, 77 Rheumatism, 77 Rheumatoid, 38, 77 Rheumatoid arthritis, 38, 77 Rod, 63, 77 S Screening, 63, 77 Semen, 75, 77 Senescence, 4, 77 Side effect, 7, 38, 59, 61, 77, 79 Skeletal, 63, 77 Skeleton, 34, 77 Skin graft, 18, 21, 25, 26, 36, 77 Skull, 65, 70, 77 Small intestine, 69, 77 Social Problems, 6, 77 Sodium, 76, 77 Soft tissue, 68, 77 Solvent, 67, 77 Somatic, 65, 72, 74, 78 Somatic cells, 72, 78 Specialist, 49, 78 Species, 72, 78, 79, 80 Spectrometer, 10, 78 Spectrum, 8, 78 Spinal cord, 31, 32, 61, 62, 63, 68, 72, 73, 74, 78 Spinal Nerves, 74, 78 Stasis, 78, 80 Steel, 33, 63, 78 Sterilization, 34, 78 Steroids, 26, 78 Stimulus, 66, 67, 71, 78, 79 Stomach, 61, 68, 69, 72, 77, 78 Stress, 61, 72, 77, 78 Stupor, 72, 78 Subacute, 70, 78 Subarachnoid, 69, 78 Subclinical, 70, 78 Subcutaneous, 66, 78 Suction, 18, 19, 78 Suspensions, 12, 79
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Symphysis, 63, 75, 79 Symptomatic, 9, 79 Systemic, 5, 61, 70, 76, 79 Systolic, 69, 79 T Thermal, 20, 73, 79 Thoracic, 13, 14, 66, 79 Threshold, 67, 69, 79 Tissue, 4, 26, 27, 31, 32, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 77, 79 Topical, 25, 67, 79 Toxic, iv, 62, 65, 79 Toxicity, 6, 15, 72, 79 Toxicology, 5, 44, 79 Toxins, 60, 70, 79 Traction, 63, 79 Transfection, 61, 79 Transmitter, 71, 79 Transplantation, 25, 79 Tuberculosis, 71, 79 U Ulcer, 79 Ulceration, 4, 79
Unconscious, 60, 79 Urethra, 75, 79 Urine, 61, 79 Uveal tract, 75, 80 V Valves, 25, 28, 30, 80 Vascular, 69, 70, 80 Veins, 61, 80 Venous, 4, 75, 80 Venous Insufficiency, 4, 80 Ventilation, 19, 80 Ventricles, 63, 80 Venules, 61, 62, 80 Vertebrae, 78, 80 Vertebral, 68, 80 Veterinary Medicine, 43, 80 Virulence, 79, 80 Visceral, 61, 65, 80 Vitro, 80 Vivo, 4, 80 X X-ray, 68, 76, 80
86
Hyperbaric Chamber
87
88
Hyperbaric Chamber
