Ideas for Blow By Oxygen
Ideas for blow by oxygen are being developed primarily to help individuals with pulmonary hypertension who are not able to use devices that are fastened directly on the patient’s face. Many children and individuals with delayed development are unable to keep a nasal cannula, face mask, or face tent in place during the day or while they are sleeping.
The United States Food and Drug Administration is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, foods, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. Thus, new devices for the delivery of oxygen to patients with pulmonary hypertension need to meet FDA standards before they can be distributed for patient use. However, the FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine. Thus, patients and parents of patients with pulmonary hypertension may use FDA-approved devices for oxygen delivery in a manner that therapy is less annoying and used more consistently. For example, a child might not be willing to keep a face tent under his chin and strapped around the back of the head. However, a face tent could be fastened to the collar of a vest. Thereby, the oxygen would blow up over the face without the device or straps directly touching the patient.
The Blow By Oxygen Foundation is currently developing several options for oxygen delivery to patients with pulmonary hypertension. The following link provides some introductory information about our oxygen hoodie device (oxygen ho:odieTM) and our cap device (o:oreoTM or co:okieTM). The oxygen ho:odie directs the flow of oxygen through tubing with multiple holes pointing toward the nose and mouth. The o:oreo device slides over the brim of a cap or visor and directs the flow of oxygen through multiple holes pointing toward the nose and mouth.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EY-9mEzfOhjwbcIdiLJqDRmqBy9AAsve/view?usp=sharing
The Blow By Oxygen Foundation also provides a forum for individuals and families to share ways they have used FDA approved-devices or oxygen tubing alone to enrich the amount of oxygen they or their child breathes. Some of these methods include the use of tents, canopies, car seat covers, or attachments to clothing.
Using a Car Seat Cover to Enrich the Amount of Oxygen Your Infant or Young Child Breathes
A cover can be placed over a car seat to increase the amount of oxygen an infant or young child might breathe. The figures below demonstrate how this has been done.
- An oxygen concentrator delivered an increased amount of oxygen (approximately 80% to 85%).
- The amount of oxygen was approximately 21% in room air.
- The amount of oxygen near the doll’s face increased to approximately 30% when oxygen was delivered through the top of the cover at a flow of 3 liters per minute.
- The amount of oxygen near the doll’s face increased to approximately 35% when oxygen was delivered through the top of the cover at a flow of 5 liters per minute.
- The amount of oxygen near the doll’s face increased to approximately 38% when oxygen was delivered through the top of the cover at a flow of 10 liters per minute.
Some portable oxygen concentrators can deliver a flow of 3-5 liters per minute. Some home oxygen concentrators deliver a flow of 5-10 liters per minute.
Using a Funnel and Lampshade to Enrich the Amount of Oxygen Your Infant Breathes While Sleeping in a Crib
Guidelines for safe sleep from the American Academy of Pediatrics indicate that infants should sleep on their backs. No objects should be present on the surface of the mattress sheet, including pillows or tents. The amount of inspired oxygen can be enriched by delivering oxygen through a funnel suspended over the head of an infant. The figures below demonstrate how this has been done.
- An oxygen concentrator can deliver an increased amount of oxygen (approximately 80% to 85%).
- The amount of oxygen was approximately 21% in room air.
- The amount of oxygen near the doll’s face increased to approximately 26% when oxygen was delivered through the funnel at a flow of 3 liters per minute.
- The amount of oxygen near the doll’s face increased to approximately 28% when oxygen was delivered through the funnel at a flow of 5 liters per minute or a flow of 10 liters per minute.
- The amount of oxygen near the doll’s face decreased when there was nearby competing flow through a furnace or air conditioner vent. The amount of oxygen near the baby’s face was maintained by partially or completely covering the crib with a sheet or blanket. The amount of oxygen near the baby’s face was only slightly greater when the crib was fully covered with a sheet or blanket than when it was partially covered (30% versus 28%).
Most home oxygen concentrators deliver a flow of 5 liters per minute.
3 Liters per Minute Oxygen
About 26% to 27% Oxygen Crib Partially Covered
5 Liters per Minute Oxygen
About 28% to 29% Oxygen Crib Partially Covered
10 Liters per Minute Oxygen
About 28% to 29% Oxygen Crib Partially Covered
Using a Face Mask or Face Tent Attached to a Vest
A face mask or face tent can be attached to a vest below an individual’s chin instead of attaching the face mask or face tent on the face with straps over the ears and back of the head. Some individuals may refuse to keep a face tent in place if used in this manner. A face mask or face tent can deliver a substantial amount of oxygen over the mouth and nose more comfortably if it is attached to a vest below the chin as shown in the figures below.
- An oxygen concentrator delivered an increased amount of oxygen (approximately 80% to 85%).
- The amount of oxygen was approximately 21% in room air. A subject had an oxygen saturation measuremnt of 93%.
- The amount of oxygen near the subject’s face increased to approximately 30% when oxygen was delivered at a flow of 5 liters per minute through a face tent attached to the collar of his vest. His oxygen saturation measurement subsequently increased to approximately 97%.
- The amount of oxygen near the subject’s face increased to approximately 36% when oxygen was delivered at a flow of 10 liters per minute through a face tent attached to the collar of his vest. His oxygen saturation measurement subsequently increased to approximately 98%.
- Face masks and face tents can be attached to the collar of a vest with simple clips or by threading the mask or tent strap through holes in the vest collar and further securing the strap with Velcro strips. Clips should not be used to attach masks or tents for infants or young children due the risk of a potential choking hazard.
Face Mask Attached to the Collar of a Vest with Velcro
Face Mask Attached to the Collar of a Vest with Velcro
Face Tent Attached to the Collar of a Vest with Clips
Room Air
Oxygen Saturation of 93%
5 Liters per Minute Oxygen
Oxygen Saturation of 97%
10 Liters per Minute Oxygen
Oxygen Saturation of 98%
Other Ideas for Blow By Oxygen
We are aware of two for profit companies who are developing delivery systems for blow by oxygen during sleep. We welcome all efforts to improve the delivery of oxygen to patients who may have difficulty using a nasal cannula or facemask. However, all patients and parents should check with their physician to make sure oxygen delivery is truly adequate, particularly if they are dependent upon oxygen to achieve an adequate amount of oxygen in the blood. Oxygen delivery devices for infants should be designed to follow guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics to provide a safe sleep environment.
Click on the following companies to visit their websites.