OBJECTIVE: Compare the performance of the OxyArm to that of nasal cannulae in the delivery of supplemental oxygen to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: We tested various oxygen flows with 10 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients who were receiving prescribed supplemental oxygen. Blood oxygen saturation (measured via pulse oximetry [S(pO2)]), was measured with each device, and mean data were compared with paired, 2-sample tests. RESULTS: Mean S(pO2) was equivalent with OxyArm and nasal cannulae for 7 of the 10 subjects, over a range of oxygen flows (2-5 L/min). Mean S(pO2) was higher with the OxyArm with 2 subjects and lower with 1 subject (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The OxyArm maintained stable S(pO2) over the range of oxygen flows studied and at levels equivalent to those maintained by nasal cannulae in 9 of the 10 subjects. The OxyArm does not contact the face and may be ideal for patients on long-term home oxygen therapy.
OBJECTIVE: Compare the performance of the OxyArm to that of nasal cannulae in the delivery of supplemental oxygen to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: We tested various oxygen flows with 10 chronic obstructive pulmonary diseasepatients who were receiving prescribed supplemental oxygen. Blood oxygen saturation (measured via pulse oximetry [S(pO2)]), was measured with each device, and mean data were compared with paired, 2-sample tests. RESULTS: Mean S(pO2) was equivalent with OxyArm and nasal cannulae for 7 of the 10 subjects, over a range of oxygen flows (2-5 L/min). Mean S(pO2) was higher with the OxyArm with 2 subjects and lower with 1 subject (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The OxyArm maintained stable S(pO2) over the range of oxygen flows studied and at levels equivalent to those maintained by nasal cannulae in 9 of the 10 subjects. The OxyArm does not contact the face and may be ideal for patients on long-term home oxygen therapy.