AnmO2l
ABSTRACT
The surge of COVID-19 cases in India and around the world has resulted in acute oxygen shortage. Oxygen therapy through nasal cannula with flow rates of 1-6 L/min is an effective treatment for many COVID-19 patients in non-critical conditions and may help prevent disease progression. The same treatment is also used in post-acute care for recovering COVID-19 patients. Here we describe a simple, open source, and rapidly manufacturable oxygen conservation device for use with dual-port nasal cannula that can extend the life of current oxygen supply by almost two to three times, which we hope will help towards coping with the ongoing crisis.
BIG QUESTION
“Oxygen delivered during patient exhalation is mostly vented to the air and wasted. Can we produce a simple instrument to conserve oxygen by shutting the flow during exhalation?”
What is AnmO2l?
AnmO2l is an open-source and rapidly manufacturable oxygen conservation device for use with dual-port nasal cannula that can extend the life of current oxygen supply by almost two to three times by sensing and shutting oxygen flow during exhalation. AnmO2l is intended for patients needing 1 to 6L of oxygen per minute; it is NOT intended for patients requiring intensive amounts of oxygen. AmnO2l is designed with a flow sensor to detect whether the patient is inhaling or exhaling as well as a solenoid valve that shuts off the flow of oxygen from the tank only during the exhalation cycle. All parts are standard parts and can be sourced locally.
