Design of oxygen delivery systems influences both effectiveness and comfort in adult volunteers

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this investigation was to compare the efficiency of four oxygen delivery systems in healthy volunteers. Methods: The subjects received oxygen at flow rates of 3.0 and 5.0 L·min-1 via a face mask, nasal cannulae, and two kinds of new open- and microphone-type oxygen delivery systems (OxyArm™ and Mike Cannula) in a random sequence, and values of partial arterial pressures of oxygen (PaO2) were measured. The comfort of these devices was also evaluated. Results: A significant, oxygen flow dependent increase in PaO2 was obtained with all devices tested. PaO2 was significantly higher when the face mask was used [217.5 ± 19.9 (mean ± SD) mmHg at 5 L·min-1) than when the Mike Cannula was used (177.5 ± 14.8 mmHg). The face mask was the least comfortable and OxyArm was the most comfortable among the devices tested. Conclusion: The results of our evaluation suggest that comfort and clinical performance should be considered when using oxygen delivery devices for patients who require oxygen supplementation.