Evaluation of Oxygen Therapy Devices by Arterial Oxygen Tensions

Ten different oxygen administration devices were tested on volunteers in order to determine their relative efficiency in raising the arterial oxygen tension. The efficiency of any particular device was directly proportional to the oxygen flow into it. Those devices which utilized reservoir bags were the most effective. The nasal catheter and cannula techniques were also quite effective with the cannula appearing to be somewhat preferable because of its greater comfort, especially at high flow rates of oxygen. The importance of proper baffling in those mask type devices that did not utilize reservoir bags was demonstrated.