An oxygen cage, also known as a hyperbaric oxygen chamber or hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chamber, is a medical device that is used to administer pure oxygen at higher than atmospheric pressures to patients in order to treat various medical conditions. The increased air pressure allows patients to absorb more oxygen into their bloodstream and body tissues. This can help treat conditions that are difficult to heal due to lack of oxygen circulation.
What is an oxygen cage used for?
An oxygen cage has a number of medical uses and can be an effective treatment for various conditions. Here are some of the main uses of an oxygen cage:
- Treating carbon monoxide poisoning – Getting carbon monoxide out of the body and replacing it with oxygen can minimize the damaging effects of this toxic gas.
- Healing wounds – The increased oxygen circulation stimulates growth of new blood vessels and tissue. This can help chronic wounds, burns, skin grafts, and injuries heal faster.
- Crush injuries and compartment syndrome – Restoring blood flow and oxygen to tissues that were deprived due to a crush injury or compartment syndrome.
- Bone infections – Oxygen helps fight infection while also supporting healing of damaged bone tissues.
- Air or gas embolism – Using oxygen at high pressure reduces bubbles of air or gas in the bloodstream that can cause embolisms.
- Decompression sickness – Also known as “the bends,” decompression sickness occurs in scuba divers. The oxygen cage recompresses tissues and allows nitrogen bubbles to be slowly released.
- Radiation injuries – By stimulating new blood vessel growth, oxygen can help rebuild skin and soft tissues damaged by radiation treatments.
- Heart attack and stroke recovery – High oxygen levels reduce inflammation and enhance healing in damaged areas of the heart or brain.
The increased oxygen circulation provided by the treatment stimulates wound healing and fights infection across many conditions. It can be an effective therapy when standard treatment alone is not sufficient for recovery.
How does an oxygen cage work?
An oxygen cage is a sealed chamber or enclosure that a patient sits or lies inside. The air pressure within the chamber is then increased to above normal atmospheric pressure. A treatment session typically lasts between 60-120 minutes.
There are a few ways the pressurized oxygen environment is created:
- Pressurizing the entire chamber with pure oxygen – This method rapidly increases the oxygen level.
- Pressurizing the chamber with compressed air – Air is still about 21% oxygen. This increases air pressure while maintaining a normal oxygen percentage.
- A combination approach – Using both oxygen and air compression.
As the pressure rises, more oxygen is dissolved into the fluids of tissues and blood plasma. At 2-3 times normal atmospheric pressure, the amount of oxygen transported in blood plasma can reach 200-300% of normal levels.
Patients breathe normally inside the chamber and may require a mask or ventilation tube depending on the protocol. The ears may need to be equalized to deal with pressure changes. Sessions are supervised by trained personnel.
Monoplace vs multiplace chambers
There are two main types of oxygen cage construction:
- Monoplace chambers – Designed for a single occupant. The patient lies down inside the portable tube chamber alone for treatment. The small enclosure may feel confining for some.
- Multiplace chambers – These larger chambers can accommodate several people at a time. Patients are accompanied by trained technicians to monitor the session. Often used at hospitals.
Common features
Some standard features in oxygen cage design include:
- A sturdy acrylic or metal chamber with an airtight door
- Pressure and oxygen monitors and alarms
- A two-way communication system inside the chamber
- A viewing window so personnel can observe the patient
- Supply of fresh air and/or oxygen tanks to pressurize the chamber
- A waste elimination system or bathroom facilities
- Proper ventilation and cooling systems
- Safety features like fire suppression equipment
What are the benefits of using an oxygen cage?
Compared to no treatment or other therapies, using an oxygen cage has a number of advantages. Potential benefits include:
- Increasing oxygen circulation to all tissues – This boosts the healing process.
- Stimulating new blood vessel growth – Angiogenesis restores circulation to damaged areas.
- Fighting bacteria and reducing risk of infection – Oxygen is toxic to anaerobic bacteria.
- Reducing inflammation and edema – Oxygen helps reduce swelling and fluid buildup.
- Accelerating recovery – Wounds, burns, and injuries can heal up to twice as quickly.
- Preventing tissue death – Restores oxygen to tissues at risk of necrosis.
- No side effects – When protocols are followed correctly, there are minimal side effects.
- Non-invasive treatment – No surgery or implants required.
- Safe for most patients – Oxygen therapy has few health contraindications.
For conditions that are refractory to other treatments, oxygen cages can provide life-saving healing benefits. The treatment is capable of improving outcomes in both chronic and acute health problems.
What conditions are treated with oxygen cages?
Many different medical conditions have been successfully treated with oxygen cages. Here are some of the main conditions that may benefit:
Wound healing problems
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Venous leg ulcers
- Pressure ulcers or bed sores
- Infected surgical wounds
- Radionecrosis or radiation therapy damage
- Compromised skin grafts or flaps
Orthopedic conditions
- Refractory osteomyelitis
- Compartment syndrome
- Crush injuries and trauma
- Fractures that won’t heal
- Severed fingers, toes, or limbs prior to reattachment
- Thermal burns
Other conditions treated
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Air or gas embolism
- Decompression sickness
- Radiation tissue damage
- Brain injury from near drowning
- Anaerobic infections
- Heart attack recovery
- Stroke recovery
- Pre-surgery or pre-dental condition optimization
Most medical specialties have conditions that may benefit from oxygen cage therapy. Protocols can be tailored for many health problems where poor oxygen circulation or difficult-to-heal wounds are involved.
Are there any risks or side effects?
Oxygen cages are considered a very safe modality when protocols are followed properly. However, there are some potential risks and side effects to be aware of. These include:
- Pressure-related injuries – Barotrauma effects like ruptured eardrum, sinus pain, pneumothorax.
- Oxygen toxicity – CNS toxicity or pulmonary toxicity from prolonged exposure to high oxygen levels.
- Confinement anxiety – Some patients may experience anxiety or claustrophobia in an enclosure.
- Fire hazard – Increased oxygen raises fire risks, special protocols must be followed.
- Costs – HBOT is expensive and not always covered by insurance.
- No benefit realized – Not all conditions respond to therapy and some patients see no improvement.
Proper patient screening, supervision by trained personnel, and adherence to operating protocols can help minimize risks. For many patients the potential benefits outweigh the minimal risks involved.
What is the process for using an oxygen cage?
Using an oxygen cage involves the following general process:
- Patient evaluation – Medical history and condition are assessed to ensure treatment is appropriate.
- Pretreatment – Patient may be given fluids or medication prior to entering chamber.
- Pressurization – The chamber pressure is slowly increased to 1.5-3 times normal air pressure.
- Oxygen breathing – Oxygen is administered through a mask, hood, or ventilation tube.
- Treatment session – Typically 60-120 minutes at pressure breathing pure oxygen.
- Descent – Pressure is slowly decreased back to normal over 15-30 minutes.
- Exit and observation – Patient exits chamber and is monitored for 30-60 minutes.
- Follow-up – Additional sessions are scheduled based on the treatment protocol.
Skilled technicians will monitor vital signs, communicate with the patient, and ensure safety through the entire hyperbaric oxygen therapy process.
Conclusion
Oxygen cages, also known as hyperbaric chambers, are medical devices that can be highly effective for treating various medical conditions involving difficult-to-heal wounds and circulatory problems. The pressurized oxygen environment increases oxygen transport and delivery to tissues while also stimulating new blood vessel growth. This provides healing benefits for chronic issues like diabetic ulcers as well as acute problems like crush injuries or carbon monoxide poisoning. Use of oxygen cages is a growing trend due to excellent clinical results with minimal side effects or risks when protocols are followed.