Development of a Normobaric Hypoxia Chamber for Studies in Human Physiology

Abstract

One of the great challenges faced by aviators is to realize the individual physiological effects caused by hypoxia. Hypoxia is the condition that the human body faces when it does not receive an adequate supplement of oxygen in the body tissues and cells. Deprivation of appropriate oxygenation leads to reduced cognitive and visual capacity, thereby leading to unconsciousness and even death in extreme cases. It is therefore required that aviators receive training to recognize such symptoms to ensure flight safety. This paper describes the development of a portable and low cost Normobaric Hypoxia Chamber (NHC). The NHC provides training in situations of hypoxia for aviators. To be portable and cost-effective, the NHC was constructed using a PVC pipe structure, coated with transparent vinyl canvas and fitted with latches to access and seal the internal atmosphere of the chamber from the rest of the environment. The NHC control system was designed to acquire signals from O2 and CO2 sensors, to process and control the hardware of the gas mixture actuators, which allow the oxygen concentration within the NHC to be changed, and to homogenize the air within the NHC and carry out the exhaustion of the interior of the chamber. The results show that the development of the CHN has fulfilled the prerequisites established in the project. The NHC can be used to train aviators under controlled conditions and to carry out research on human physiology related to hypoxia.