For Diallo M. Watts, Sr., founder of RxAir360, the journey into healthcare innovation began with a deeply personal experience. When his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and began experiencing cognitive decline, Watts found himself searching for answers. According to him, that search involved countless hours reviewing research, exploring emerging therapies, and looking for ways to support a parent whose condition was affecting every aspect of family life.
The experience ultimately led him to learn more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment that delivers oxygen in a pressurized environment to increase oxygen availability throughout the body. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for several conditions, including decompression sickness, certain nonhealing wounds, tissue damage from radiation therapy, and other approved medical indications.
Although Watts was unable to pursue the path he had hoped might help his father, he explains that the research opened his eyes to broader questions about access. "If I can help even one family avoid some of the challenges we experienced, then this journey will have been worthwhile," he says.
That perspective eventually led to the creation of RxAir360, a medical technology company focused on developing a physician-integrated hyperbaric oxygen therapy platform. The company is currently developing a patented vertical monoplace chamber designed specifically for outpatient physician offices and is pursuing FDA 510(k) clearance.
Watts explains that one of the challenges he observed during his research was that hyperbaric oxygen therapy has traditionally been concentrated in larger healthcare environments. From his perspective, expanding access begins with making the technology easier to integrate into everyday clinical settings.
According to the company, fewer than 1,400 hyperbaric treatment facilities currently serve thousands of physician practices across the United States, highlighting a significant difference between existing demand and available infrastructure.
To address that challenge, RxAir360 developed a vertical chamber design intended for standard physician examination rooms. Company materials indicate that the system is designed to fit within typical outpatient office footprints while adhering to established engineering and safety standards. The chamber incorporates a seated configuration, a compact design, and safety systems intended for physician-directed clinical environments.
"We looked at how many healthcare services started inside hospitals and eventually moved closer to communities," Watts explains. "Our vision is to help make hyperbaric oxygen therapy more accessible by creating infrastructure that allows physicians to integrate it into their practices when appropriate."
Watts argues that healthcare innovation often becomes more widely available when services move closer to where patients live and receive care. He points to developments such as dialysis, outpatient imaging, and ambulatory surgery centers, which expanded beyond hospital settings over time and became more accessible in community-based environments. From his perspective, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may follow a similar path as healthcare providers continue exploring ways to bring specialized treatments into a broader range of clinical settings.
Beyond the technology itself, Watts continues to emphasize education and awareness. He notes that research into hyperbaric oxygen therapy continues across a wide range of medical areas, while physicians and researchers remain responsible for determining where evidence supports future applications.
His commitment to service also predates the founding of RxAir360. Throughout his career, Watts has been involved in mentoring students, coaching youth sports, and supporting community development efforts. According to him, those experiences shaped his belief that innovation carries a responsibility to serve others and create opportunities that extend beyond business objectives.
That same philosophy is reflected in his upcoming book, Locked Out of Healing, which explores the personal experiences and discoveries that ultimately led him into the hyperbaric medicine space.
Looking ahead, Watts remains focused on the goal that first inspired the company. "This started because of someone I love," he says. "If this technology can help even one person or one family gain access to care that might otherwise be difficult to reach, then that would mean we accomplished something meaningful."
