Comparison of Nasal Cannulas and the OxyArm in Patients Requiring Chronic Domiciliary Oxygen Therapy

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to compare the performance of a new oxygen delivery device, the OxyArm (OA) (Southmedic Inc, Canada), with a standard nasal cannula (NC) (Salter-Style 1600, Salter Labs, USA) for both oxygen delivery and patient preference in patients on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized crossover study conducted in an outpatient setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five clinically stable LTOT patients were randomly assigned to an oxygen device (NC or OA) sequence. The baseline saturation level was determined, and patients were then treated at oxygen flow rates of 2 L/min, 3 L/min, 4 L/min, 5 L/min, 6 L/min and 7 L/min for 10 min each while at rest. Patients were then crossed over to the second device and the procedure was repeated. Oximetry values were then obtained following a 5 min walk test using the same device sequence. Lastly, the patients were sent home for a four-week home OA trial, after which, they filled out a questionnaire. RESULTS: This sample of patients was primarily elderly ex-smokers with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on oxygen therapy for the majority of the day. The primary findings were that the OA and NC were equally effective in delivering oxygen to patients and maintaining their oxygen saturation at both rest (P=0.82) and during a 5 min walk test (P=0.83). A patient's personal experience and comfort were identified as the most important factors in deciding on an oxygen device. Most patients felt that the OA was most suited for oxygen therapy while at rest. CONCLUSIONS: The OA proved to be similar to the NC in delivering oxygen and maintaining saturation in patients on LTOT. The OA is one of the few alternatives to using NCs for these patients and, with its current design, appears to be most suited for resting conditions.

The use of advanced medical technologies at home: a systematic review of the literature

“…Of those articles that focused on this topic, ten reported on the comparison between different types of medical technologies, or their advantages and disadvantages. The comparison of different devices for oxygen therapy was made by two articles [81, 82] and one reported on the comparison of two types of enteral nutrition tubes [83]. Some studies regarding respiratory support considered the process of making a choice between different types of devices [84–86] while one paper considered the conditions for home-based haemo dialysis [87].…”

“…The study investigated how this condition affects mothers and fathers by producing poor sleep quality, high-level diurnal sleepiness, anxiety, and depression.Paul, J., Otvos, T., 2006. [82]CanadaRandomized crossover study;Measurement by oximeter;Questionnaire n = 25 (patients)Oxygen therapyEx-smokers with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseComparison of theperformance of a new oxygen delivery device, the OxyArm (OA)(Southmedic Inc., Canada), with a standard nasal cannula (NC)(Salter-Style 1600, Salter Labs, USA) for both oxygen delivery andpatient preference in patients on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT).Pourrat, M., Neuville, S., 2007. [73]FranceSurvey;questionnaire n = 12 (by law authorized centres) n = 6 (service providers) n = 0 (custom-made makers) n = 0 (laboratories)Home parenteral nutritionNo medical diagnosis mentionedFor Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN), pharmacy had to deliver some medical devices and drugs.…”

The OxyMask™ development and performance in healthy volunteers

“…The design of the OxyArm was aided with the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations that were used to estimate the oxygen concentration fields that emanated from the gas plume 19. The OxyArm was subsequently shown to be equivalent to nasal cannulae in maintaining the saturation levels by pulse oximetry in COPD patients on chronic domiciliary oxygen therapy 20,21. In addition, the OxyArm was shown to provide good quality capnographic monitoring in healthy volunteers and adequate oxygenation for series of 60 consecutive surgical patients for the initial period following endotracheal extubation 22,23…”

Humidification of Inspired Oxygen Is Increased With Pre-nasal Cannula, Compared to Intranasal Cannula

“…Our results are in line with previous data that compared nasal cannulas to a system that delivers oxygen via a larger opening in front of the mouth. 18 In general, humidity describes the amount of water vapor in gases. Humidity can be given as the absolute mass of water per unit of volume, which is the absolute humidity, or as a fraction of full saturation under constant conditions of volume, temperature, and pressure, which is called relative humidity.…”