Abstract An elongate, flexible, inelastic sleeve is sized to contain a diver suffering a decompression sickness, such as a gas embolism, and terminates in one end in a control panel provided with gas inlet and outlet fittings for transferring pressurized gas to and from the interior. Gauges and additional fittings are optionally provided to facilitate treatment. The opposite end of the flexible sleeve is formed with a large flexible opening closed by a clamp traversing the sleeve''s lateral dimensions. Being constructed of a lightweight plasticlike material, which for aiding diagnosis and treatment is transparent, renders the instant invention completely portable and transportable by divers to on-the-job work sites. If a diver suffers an embolism caused by too rapid an ascent, or insufficient decompression, he is immediately placed into the sleeve through the large flexible open end which is then quickly closed by the clamp. Pressurized gas from any of many suitable sources is fed to the interior via the gas inlet fittings, immediately recompressing the diver, such immediate treatment being of the greatest importance to avoid death or permanent injury arising from delayed treatment.
In portable recompressing apparatuses having a rigid end panel carrying gas transfer fittings secured to a substantially inelastic, transparent, flexible body member sized to form a pressure chamber for containing a diver suffering an embolism, an improvement therefor is provided comprising: a substantially inelastic, transparent, flexible sleeve continuously extending from said body member provided with an opening remote from said rigid end panel configured for presenting a minimal access restriction for said diver, said sleeve having a flexibility to allow its being gathered adjacent the panel and pulled down around the diver to envelop him; and means for sealing said flexible sleeve externally carried thereon including, an elongate bar about which the portion of said flexible sleeve near said opening is wrapped, a pair of hinged clamping members having inwardly extending and elements spaced to receive said elongate bar and the wrapped opening portion of said flexible sleeve, a bearing bar disposed on an inner surface of one of said hinged clamping members, and means carried on said hinged clamping members for pivotally closing them to tightly compress said wrapped opening portion between said elongate bar and said bearing bar thereby ensuring the rapid sealing of said pressure chamber for the immediate recompression of said diver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
In portable recompressing apparatuses having a rigid end panel carrying gas transfer fittings secured to a substantially inelastic, transparent, flexible body member sized to form a pressure chamber for containing a diver suffering an embolism, an improvement therefor is provided comprising: a substantially inelastic, transparent, flexible sleeve continuously extending from said body member provided with an opening remote from said rigid end panel configured for presenting a minimal access restriction for said diver, said sleeve having a flexibility to allow its being gathered adjacent the panel and pulled down around the diver to envelop him; and means for sealing said flexible sleeve externally carried thereon including, an elongate bar about which the portion of said flexible sleeve near said opening is wrapped, a pair of hinged clamping members having inwardly extending and elements spaced to receive said elongate bar and the wrapped opening portion of said flexible sleeve, a bearing bar disposed on an inner surface of one of said hinged clamping members, and means carried on said hinged clamping members for pivotally closing them to tightly compress said wrapped opening portion between said elongate bar and said bearing bar thereby ensuring the rapid sealing of said pressure chamber for the immediate recompression of said diver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the pivotally closing means is a plurality of crossbolts each reaching through the pair of hinged clamping members and a wingnut carried on each crossbolt, upon the tightening thereof, securely sealing said pressure chamber.