| 1.Research BackgroundHigh altitude sickness is an idiopathic disease that appears in the altitude hypoxic environment.The low-pressure hypoxia is the mainly pathogenic factor at high altitude.At present,the measurements and methods of prevention and treatment of acute mountain sickness include: step ascent,medicine and oxygen enrichment,but there are different shortcomings and problems for these pathways.At this stage,there are two kinds of technique to solve the plateau hypoxia: oxygen supplement and pressurization.The process of pressurization is to increase the PO2 by promoting the atmospheric pressure whereas the volume percentage of oxygen is constant.Currently,there are several equipment of pressurization,such as portable hyperbaric chamber(bag),portable light pressurized chamber,portable and single-solider oxygen pressurized chamber,pressurized mask,oxygen-increasing respirator and so on.However,these equipments have displayed some shortcomings such as more complex structure,larger volume,higher cost,professional operation,high usage cost and poor mobility,inconvenient to carry,no flow pressure control device,bad airtight and poor pressurized effect and so on.At high altitude,due to the bad weather,cold,hypoxia,complex terrain,narrow roads rugged,and relatively poor support capacity characteristics,therefore,to develop a small oxygen equipment with small size,light weight,and practicality,safety and convenience,is particularly urgent.2.Research MethodBased on the principle of pressurization and the patent "portable plateau first-aid helmet device" of the early stage,we integrated a series of related knowledge of physics,electronics,machinery and materials to improve the design and develop a new type of “portable plateau pressurized helmet”.And under the simulated hypoxic environment(5000m and 3500m),the changes of Sp O2 and HR were detected during wearing the helmet(the intensity of pressure range of the helmet is(0.4-1.0)KPa、(0.4-1.4)KPa、(0.4-1.6)KPa respectively).At high altitude location(Lhasa,3650m),the symptom score of acute mountain sickness is tested,which is evaluated by scoring AMS according to national military standard of China,and the changes of Sp O2 and HR were detected during wearing the helmet(the intensity of pressure range is(0.4-1.4)KPa).3.Research ResultThe process route of the "portable plateau pressurized helmet" is established,including the structural design of the case and the head cover,the mold machining,material selection and so on.And the trial and operation specification of the "portable plateau First-Aid helmet" is accomplished.Furthermore,we found that the maximum pressure in the head cover of the plateau pressurized helmet was basically similar to that of the 1.0KPa.1.4KPa.1.6KPa,and the better was 1.4KPa.Importantly,in the simulated plateau environment,the helmet could be used to improve the oxygen saturation and decrease the heart rate obviously.At high altitude,the helmet could be used to improve the oxygen saturation and decrease the heart rate significantly.And in the second day of using the helmet at high altitude,the symptom scores of AMS patients were significantly decreased compared with the control group,which showed a significant difference.4.ConclusionWe have developed a kind of oxygen supplement equipment-the portable plateau pressurized helmet with small size,light weight,practicality,safety and convenience,which could relieve human hypoxia,and promote acclimatization in the simula ted plateau environment and high altitude field.Moreover,it provided an effective set for protection,prevention and treatment of AMS,provided the material basis and the technical support for the plateau health service.And this equipment could be regarded as an important preparation for the local emergency where medicine was lack and the oxygen supply facilities were poor and the people got acute mountain sickness easily.The helmet could ameliorate their symptoms and help them of continuous oxygen therapy on the way of medical evacuation.. |
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