Abstract: A mobile chamber apparatus includes a support structure of inflatable support members, and a chamber assembly. The inflatable support members may include transverse and upright sections. The chamber assembly may include a top wall, a bottom wall, and one or more side walls. Connectors may detachably couple the support structure and the chamber assembly. Installed, the support structure supports the chamber assembly to enclose an interior space. Inlets may deliver a supply airflow to the interior space, and outlets may deliver a return airflow from the interior space. An environmental control unit may deliver the supply airflow and receive the return airflow. At least one mechanism may be provided for introducing an allergen into the interior space. Human patients may be exposed to the allergen in the interior space, and therefore the mobile chamber apparatus may be used for clinical trials to study allergy response.

Abstract: A mobile chamber apparatus includes a support structure of inflatable support members, and a chamber assembly. The inflatable support members may include transverse and upright sections. The chamber assembly may include a top wall, a bottom wall, and one or more side walls. Connectors may detachably couple the support structure and the chamber assembly. Installed, the support structure supports the chamber assembly to enclose an interior space. Inlets may deliver a supply airflow to the interior space, and outlets may deliver a return airflow from the interior space. An environmental control unit may deliver the supply airflow and receive the return airflow. At least one mechanism may be provided for introducing an allergen into the interior space. Human patients may be exposed to the allergen in the interior space, and therefore the mobile chamber apparatus may be used for clinical trials to study allergy response.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method, materials and apparatus for investigating asthma in humans using dust mite allergen. The dust mite allergen is prepared to be of a controlled size such that particles are respirable, effectively aerosolized, and deliver a significant amount of allergen. The dust mite allergen is applied in a controlled manner within an environmental exposure chamber to elucidate the etiological links between dust mite allergen concentration and asthma response in humans. The environmental exposure chamber is specially-designed to promote homogeneity of allergen concentration. Preferably, the dust mite allergen preparation comprises particles having an average diameter of less than 25 microns, and more preferably 5-10 microns. Correlation between aerosolized particle count and allergen concentration enables “real-time” allergen concentration estimates without the use of expensive and time-consuming assay techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and chamber for exposure of human subjects to non-allergic rhinitis (“NAR”) trigger environments. The method occurs in a NAR chamber and involves tests that expose subjects to environmental triggers known to induce NAR symptoms. The chamber may be an enclosure capable of housing multiple subjects, constructed to facilitate the NAR tests and/or challenges and operable to create one or more NAR environments within the chamber. A different NAR environment may be required for each test. The chamber may facilitate the creation and containment of a specific NAR environment relating to a NAR test and/or challenge within the chamber for a particular period of time and achieve air-flow therein whereby subjects positioned within the chamber may be exposed to a NAR trigger environment in a virtually consistent manner. NAR tests and challenges may be assessed and the results thereof may be stored, compiled and/or reported.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and chamber for exposure of human subjects to non-allergic rhinitis (“NAR”) trigger environments. The method occurs in a NAR chamber and involves tests that expose subjects to environmental triggers known to induce NAR symptoms. The chamber may be an enclosure capable of housing multiple subjects, constructed to facilitate the NAR tests and/or challenges and operable to create one or more NAR environments within the chamber. A different NAR environment may be required for each test. The chamber may facilitate the creation and containment of a specific NAR environment relating to a NAR test and/or challenge within the chamber for a particular period of time and achieve air-flow therein whereby subjects positioned within the chamber may be exposed to a NAR trigger environment in a virtually consistent manner. NAR tests and challenges may be assessed and the results thereof may be stored, compiled and/or reported.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and chamber for exposure of human subjects to non-allergic rhinitis (“NAR”) trigger environments. The method occurs in a NAR chamber and involves tests that expose subjects to environmental triggers known to induce NAR symptoms. The chamber may be an enclosure capable of housing multiple subjects, constructed to facilitate the NAR tests and/or challenges and operable to create one or more NAR environments within the chamber. A different NAR environment may be required for each test. The chamber may facilitate the creation and containment of a specific NAR environment relating to a NAR test and/or challenge within the chamber for a particular period of time and achieve air-flow therein whereby subjects positioned within the chamber may be exposed to a NAR trigger environment in a virtually consistent manner. NAR tests and challenges may be assessed and the results thereof may be stored, compiled and/or reported.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method, materials and apparatus for investigating asthma in humans using dust mite allergen. The dust mite allergen is prepared to be of a controlled size such that particles are respirable, effectively aerosolized, and deliver a significant amount of allergen. The dust mite allergen is applied in a controlled manner within an environmental exposure chamber to elucidate the etiological links between dust mite allergen concentration and asthma response in humans. The environmental exposure chamber is specially-designed to promote homogeneity of allergen concentration. Preferably, the dust mite allergen preparation comprises particles having an average diameter of less than 25 microns, and more preferably 5-10 microns. Correlation between aerosolized particle count and allergen concentration enables “real-time” allergen concentration estimates without the use of expensive and time-consuming assay techniques.