Medical Oxygen Delivery System in Exploration Atmosphere Minimizing the Risk of Fire

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Astronaut’s health is critical to the success of space exploration missions. Hence, onboard medical interventions may require addressing planned and unplanned health issues. NASA’s recent change in Exploration Atmosphere to 8.2 psia and 34% Oxygen (O2) increased the risk of mild hypobaric hypoxia. The primary treatment for hypoxia is the administration of supplementary medical-grade oxygen, most commonly through the means of an oxygen mask. Currently, NASA uses a portable oxygen ventilator to supply medical-grade oxygen which increases the oxygen concentration of the closed vehicle due to oxygen-enriched exhalation by the patient, which increases the likelihood of fire. This research effort aims to design an oxygen delivery system that is able to reversibly absorb the oxygen from the exhaled air of the patient through a chemical reaction. The system is comprising of an airtight, soft-cushioned, transparent, and low breathing resistance mask. The air inlet of the mask is connected to the ventilator, and the outlet is connected to a reservoir bag through a valve which allows the air to flow unidirectional out from the mask. The other end of the reservoir bag is fitted with an electric valve controlled by the signal from an embedded Zirconium oxygen sensor. The valve remains closed when the oxygen concentration inside the bag is higher than room air restricting the oxygen-enriched air to mix with room air. In addition, the inner surface of the reservoir bag is coated with cationic multimetallic crystalline cobalt complexes ([{CO2(bpdp)(O2)}2(bdc)](BF4)4.5H2O.MeOH(2a(BF4)4.5H2O.MeOH)) which reversibly, selectively, and stoichiometrically chemisorb dioxygen from the air exhaled by the patient. Dioxygen absorption by BF4¯ salt is a reversible process where complete desorption takes place when the salt is heated to 120ºC. An indium tin oxide (ITO) coated transparent heater fabricated over the reservoir facilitates the oxygen desorption in case the BF4¯ salt is saturated.

According to NASA’s Human Research Program evidence report titled, “Risk of Hypobaric Hypoxia from the Exploration Atmosphere,” published in November 2015, the future human exploration missions will require a robust, flexible Extravehicular Activity (EVA) architecture not provided with existing approved operational pre-breath protocols. Therefore, it may be met using a reduced-pressure cabin atmosphere, which could result in compromised health and performance to the crewmembers due to exposure to mild hypobaric hypoxia. The primary treatment for hypoxia is the administration of supplementary medical-grade oxygen, most commonly through the means of an oxygen mask. The current medical oxygen requirement aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is met using 100% oxygen from high pressure oxygen tanks. Using 100% oxygen can increase the risk of fire. The addition of oxygen from the oxygen-enriched exhalation into the close vehicle environment quickly violates NASA Flight Rules to not exceed greater than 30% oxygen (or Exploration Atmosphere 34% O2) concentration, increasing the likelihood of a fire on NASA vehicles. Specifically, within 20-30 minutes on the ISS, a localized high-percentage oxygen bubble forms around the patient, and within 12 hours, the entire cabin exceeds NASA Flight Rules regarding oxygen concentration. The proposed technology, if successful, would enable the delivery of medical oxygen to a sick or injured astronaut and simultaneously reduce the spaceflight cabin fire hazard risk, improving NASA's Human Research Program Exploration Medical Capabilities, the ISS Health Maintenance System, and the Commercial Crew Program.

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