OXERA™ OXYGEN DEVICE
OxERA™ is a simple, efficient, portable and cost-effective device that delivers consistently high levels of oxygen and positive expiratory pressure (PEP). It can be used for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), severe pneumonia, pulmonary oedema and especially in the transport of patients where high flow oxygen therapy or CPAP is not feasible.
The device’s key components are a mask and an adjustable mechanical valve, known as a positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) valve. Oxygen is supplied via a hose and accumulator bag, with the hose connected to an adjustable oxygen source such as a flowmeter.
Key Benefits of OxERA™
Clinically effective
Able to provide superior levels of care compared to standard non-rebreather oxygen masks.
Low oxygen consumption
Up to 15l/min required, as it can operate at any oxygen flow rate by entraining extra room air, as required, through the anti-asphyxiation valve. This is no more than the standard oxygen masks already being used. Can be used on any oxygen source from oxygen concentrators to cylinder and piped ward oxygen.
Efficient oxygen consumption
Through the snug fitting mask and accumulator bag, all the oxygen flowing down the line is available to the patient rather than being wasted when the patient exhales.
Simple to use
All levels of hospital staff and GPs quickly become familiar with using the device, meaning it can be used anywhere.
Cost effective
No medical equipment required to use the device.
Safe to use
Equipped with an anti-asphyxiation safety device in case oxygen supply runs out or is disconnected. Expired air is filtered to keep the environment safe for health care workers.
Portable
Can be used anywhere where a suitable oxygen source is available. Very effective for transporting patients by road or air where CPAP or high flow oxygen therapy is not feasible.
The challenge
Rural areas and developing countries can find themselves with high patient loads but with a lack of skilled staff, ICU and high care facilities and bulk oxygen supplies to be able to effectively manage the treatment of patients.
OxERA™ bridges the gap between the two resource environments and extends the care available at small hospitals and clinics.
The innovative OxERA™ is an all-in-one device using a mask and an adjustable mechanical PEEP valve that is simple, cost effective and oxygen efficient. Tests have shown that not only can consistently high levels of oxygen be delivered with the critical benefit of PEP, but less oxygen is usually needed as the flow rate can be adjusted to the patient’s demand rather than having to be left fully open to compensate for leaks, compared with an open system.
In an oxygen resource constrained environment, this is a game changer. This allows even the most basic facilities that are dependent on cylinder oxygen or small oxygen concentrators to provide a higher level of clinical care than they are currently able to. It also means that the device is suitable for use in transferring patients in ambulances where other options are limited.
*Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) and Positive Expiration Pressure (PEP) assists with oxygenation by preventing atelectasis (collapse) of the small air sacs called alveoli in the lungs.
How does OxERA™ work?
The OxERA™ device assists patients by providing high percentage oxygen plus maintaining slight pressure, to keep their lungs from collapsing during expiration, via an adjustable PEEP* valve. This reduction in atelectasis improves oxygenation, decreases trauma to the alveoli and reduces the work required to re-open the alveoli and hence the work of breathing.
It comprises a custom designed main housing, incorporating an adjustable PEEP valve (5 – 15 cm H2O), anti-asphyxiation valve (for safety) and oxygen supply via tubing and accumulator bag. The oxygen tubing can be connected to any adjustable source of oxygen.
Commercial medical devices such as a mask and viral filter complete the package together with simple but effective elastic head straps.
Key to the device’s efficient use of oxygen is the fact that incoming oxygen is accumulated in the bag during expiration and is, therefore, available during inspiration together with the flow in the line.
In loose fitting masks and especially nasal prongs, high flow nasal canulae and even CPAP units, the lack of any accumulation of oxygen in a sealed system means that large percentages (up to 66%) of the feed oxygen are simply wasted – making them very oxygen inefficient. Under low resource conditions, with many patients requiring oxygen at the same time, this is a major problem.
Find out more about Umoya, the designers and developers of the Oxera device