Behind every great invention lies a story of ingenuity, perseverance, and often personal experience. For the engineers at Oxygen Health Systems, that story began in the hallowed halls of Bell Labs, then part of Lucent Technologies, and was shaped by a profound personal challenge. Co-founded by two innovative engineers, the company has revolutionized the hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) industry with a commitment to safety, comfort, and technological advancement, challenging the complacency they saw in the marketplace.
A Confluence of Engineering and Medicine
Shah Haq and Michael Carroll, both trained as engineers, brought a unique perspective to the hyperbaric industry.
“Michael and I are engineers by trade, and we worked for many years at Bell Labs,” Shah Haq said. “As engineers, we were trained to be innovative.”
The company was born out of a vision from Michael Carroll, who later brought Shah on board, reuniting the two Bell Labs engineers who were getting back into their innovative mode and generating new product ideas and designs. This reunion of talent was a powerful catalyst for a company that would challenge the status quo.
Michael Carroll’s journey into the health industry was a deeply personal one. He was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, leading him to explore natural medicine and ultimately, hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
“My diagnosis prompted me to transfer my skills in engineering to this new territory of holistic wellness through therapies like hyperbaric oxygen,” Carroll explained.
He quickly saw an opportunity to improve upon the existing technology in the HBOT marketplace. He described the industry as having become very complacent in what feature sets they were offering. He felt that, while competitors had strong brand recognition, they were falling behind on innovation.
Haq echoed this sentiment, adding that he and Carroll saw the product lines as “remaining stagnant.” He explained, “What they discovered and what they’ve added to the technology has remained pretty much identical for the past 20 years.”
This led to their company’s core philosophy: to “leapfrog” the competition by incorporating newer technology. As Haq put it, they decided to forget all the old standard technology and instead “make it available with multiple different models and options.”
Unparalleled Safety and Design
The engineers at Oxygen Health Systems have focused on three main selling points that distinguish them from their competition: safety, comfort, and customization.
Safety is their top priority, and they have implemented features that are virtually unheard of in the industry.
“We take safety extremely seriously, and have incorporated in-depth safety measures in all of our designs,” Haq said.
He described their “backup of a backup of a backup” philosophy, where they design a primary, secondary, and tertiary safety system for every component. One example is the “penta-seam welding” on their soft-shell chambers, which involves five welds instead of one, dramatically reducing the risk of a window rupture.
“Under normal use, a softshell window failure would be a near mathematical impossibility,” Haq asserted.
They offer a 20-year warranty on their soft chamber windows due to this innovative design, a testament to their confidence in the product’s durability.
The company also broke away from the traditional, claustrophobic “legacy tubular design” that only allows a person to lie down. Their semi-vertical and vertical models offer a “multi-functional usable space” that will enable patients to sit comfortably in a zero-gravity chair. This design is particularly beneficial for elderly patients or those with mobility issues, such as those with hip and knee replacements, who may have difficulty entering a top-entry chamber. The company’s focus on patient comfort is so thorough that they’ve even incorporated high-end English luxury car headliners in their chambers to reduce any anxiety for patients. The inclusion of a TV was also noted, catering to those who wish to stay connected or entertained during their session.
Customization and a Growing Reach
While safety and comfort are key, the company’s ability to customize its chambers is perhaps its most significant differentiator. By working directly with doctors, surgeons, and clinicians, they can create chambers tailored to the specific needs of individual patients.
“This is where we shine and our strength shows,” Haq said. “We’ve created a perfect marriage between medicine and engineering.”
This collaboration allows them to address specific applications, such as post-surgical recovery or cognitive decline, that may not be covered by standard models.
The applications for their technology are vast, extending beyond the 13 FDA-approved indications. Patients and practitioners are exploring HBOT for a wide range of emerging applications, from chronic fatigue and pain relief to anti-aging and cognitive decline. Michael Carroll specifically mentioned how the therapy can be supportive of stem cell therapy.
According to Shah Haq, their chambers are now a go-to for top athletes and entertainers, from the New York Yankees and U.S. soccer teams to Lady Gaga and Kelly Clarkson. The company sells its units globally, with a primary market in the United States, and also has clients in Dubai, Australia, and other regions. This global reach demonstrates the universal appeal of their innovative and high-quality products.
A Vision for the Future
The company’s vision for the future is just as ambitious as its past.
“We move very quickly,” Michael Carroll declared. “We’re not gonna stop.”
Shah Haq added, “We have quite a bit up our sleeve. You might think you’ve seen it all, but we have even more ideas and new technologies.”
The founders revealed they are constantly working on “about 20 different projects at once” and have already made over 175 enhancements to their existing product line in the last three years alone. This relentless drive for innovation ensures that they are not only keeping pace with the industry but actively shaping its future. The company’s ability to bring new products to market quickly is a significant competitive advantage.
Oxygen Health Systems’ success is a testament to the power of combining technical expertise with a genuine desire to help others. Michael Carroll’s personal health struggle gave him a unique empathy for people who are sick and struggling, both physically and financially, and this perspective is woven into the fabric of the company’s mission. The company’s team is dedicated to creating equipment that is not only highly functional but also beautiful, comfortable, and safe. They’ve made their products both aesthetically pleasing and price-competitive, offering a high-end experience at a fraction of the cost. As they continue to innovate, they remain committed to making advanced hyperbaric oxygen therapy accessible and effective for a wider range of people, solidifying their position as a true leader in the health and wellness space.
Experience the future of recovery, at home or in your clinic, with premium hyperbaric oxygen chambers designed for wellness, healing, and performance.
To learn more about Oxygen Health Systems and their founders, visit https://www.oxygenhealthsystems.com/.
