decompression chamber (redirected from decompression chambers)

hyperbaric chamber

 or decompression chamber or recompression chamber

Sealed chamber supplying a high-pressure atmosphere primarily for medical therapy. Breathing air or oxygen at typically 1.5–3 times normal pressure increases the oxygen level in tissues. This effect is used, for example, to treat carbon monoxide poisoning or to inhibit growth of anaerobic bacteria (as in gas gangrene). The compressive effect of the elevated pressure causes damaging gas bubbles in tissues (as in air embolism or decompression sickness) to shrink and gradually be absorbed.

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decompression chamber [dē·kəm′presh·ən ‚chām·bər]

(engineering)

A steel chamber fitted with auxiliary equipment to raise its air pressure to a value two to six times atmospheric pressure; used to relieve a diver who has decompressed too quickly in ascending.

Such a chamber in which conditions of high atmospheric pressure can be simulated for experimental purposes.