A Device for Nasal Administration of Oxygen

Early masks and nasal cannulae for the delivery of oxygen

“…14 Shortly afterwards, A. Tudor Edwards reported that the head strap could cause discomfort when worn for any length of time, and occasionally produced 'an intense headache owing to the constriction'. 15 He therefore devised a nasal catheter carrier which he incorporated into a spectacle frame. These were made in sizes suitable for adults and children, and where the patient already wore spectacles, a modification of the device permitted the carrier to be clipped on to them, so that the patient could retain their own lenses.…”

“…These were made in sizes suitable for adults and children, and where the patient already wore spectacles, a modification of the device permitted the carrier to be clipped on to them, so that the patient could retain their own lenses. 15…”

“…Where prolonged administration of oxygen seems desirable, the minimum quantity of oxygen which will remove the cyanosis should be carefully ascertained by observation of the patient'. 1 Cover Photo: Spectacle frame nasal catheter carrier, designed by A. Tudor Edwards, 1938. Image courtesy of the Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History, VGKM133.…”

“…11 Poor patient tolerance of the Haldane facemask during prolonged use resulted in the introduction of a mouth-only mask in 1928, 12 and the widespread adoption of nasal cannulae of various designs. [13][14][15] In 1936, Hugh Marriott and Kenneth Robson modified a laryngologist's head-mirror strap to carry a nickelplated copper tube to which two nasal catheters, made from thin bicycle valve tubing, were attached. Experiments demonstrated that mean alveolar oxygen concentrations of 29%-59% could be achieved with flows of 4-16 L/min.…”