Devices for Physiological Simulation of High Altitude. Why and How?

Devices for Physiological Simulation of High Altitude. Why and How?

Mr. Oleg Bassovitch
Managing Director, Biomedtech Australia Pty Ltd

Time: 17 June 2014, 18:00 AEDT (Refreshments from 17:30)

Venue: Engineering House, 21 Bedford St, North Melbourne, VIC 3051

Abstract

Physiological simulation of high altitude interests several markets:

  1. Travellers to altitude can reduce incidence and severity of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
  2. Intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) for athletes has had much attention since the Mexico City Olympic Games (1968). They were held at altitude of 2240 meters. IHT is a proven means of human performance enhancement (drug- and adverse-effects-free).
  3. Hypoxia is the most serious single hazard during flight at altitude, hence aviators need to be educated on the insidious nature of gradually developing hypoxia. Since WWII, worldwide Air forces continue to acknowledge the importance of practical hypoxia demonstration. This form of training has been compulsory.

In the clinical context, hypoxia presence is considered a hazard that needs to be managed, for example by using an oxygen mask. However, hypoxia condition can be part of normal physiology, for example, mountaineers or even passengers in the cabin of a commercial aircraft, are to some extent, subjected to environmental hypoxia (hypobaric hypoxia). An imbalance between demand for oxygen and its supply can also be demonstrated during strenuous physical exercise. Over the last two decades there has been a multifold increase in number of scientific research and publications worldwide, for the research topic “intermittent hypoxia.” However, it remains that for different investigators the term often has different meanings.

Biography

Oleg Bassovitch, MSc. (Biomed.Eng.), has specialised in development and manufacturing of devices and systems for physiological simulation of high altitude for over 25 years. In 2000 he completed his Master’s Thesis: “Hypoxic Simulation in Sports and Medicine – Considerations for Equipment Design,” Monash University. Oleg has been involved in many research collaborations, and is a co-author of “Intermittent Hypoxia: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Applications,” published by Nova Science Publishers in New York, 2009.

Oleg is a founder and the Managing Director of Biomedtech Australia Pty Ltd (since 1998 in Melbourne).