Oxygen Therapy Delivery

Project Description: This project was an element to a module titled “Design of Medical Devices and Implants” at The University of Sheffield. This project walked through the biodesign principles starting with observing the topic in which you wish to improve and how to spot problems and developing need statements. This shifted our focus from bias solutions to true problems. This project also included a review of bioethics and classification of devices.

Project Overview: This project began by understanding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), how widespread COPD is, varying degrees of the condition and current treatment/management options. From there the focus shifted to the efficacy of such interventions, and through this exploration it was uncovered that oxygen therapy through nasal cannulas wastes a significant amount of oxygen. This is then outworked in the need to replace oxygen tanks more frequently. This project considered manufacturing, the healthcare system, private and public sector contributions and patient comfort.

To increase the efficiency in the delivery of oxygen therapy, in which case the use could be more widespread than just COPD patients, this project designed a hypothetical novel regulation system. This system would adapt to patients breathing cadence and predict the times when the patient inhales so there is a readily available amount of oxygen, in comparison to when the patient exhales so there is no need for oxygen flow. This device combines not only a traditional nasal cannula, an oxygen tank, a novel valve regulator system and a complementary app that educates patients on usability, treatment plans and other educational tools.