Medical Grade Plastics for Oxygen Delivery

[Bobalony]

Hi everyone,

I have a question about regulations for medical materials.
I want to know if there are any sort of restrictions on what kinds of plastics and or other materials you can use for oxygen delivery.

A bit of background on the question.
My grandmother is in a nursing home and every day my mother goes to visit her. My grandmother is on oxygen (3 L/m), and recently there has been an issue with them not replacing her tank when it's empty. I know they are busy and there are hundreds of residents and each tank runs out at different times so I'm not surprised it happens. But my mother asked me if there was anything I could think of to fix the problem. Being more of an electronics guy I thought an oxygen sensor or a pressure sensor with a controller and a buzzer should do it. And so as not to have to redesign the wheel I thought something in-line after the tank regulator/conservator and before the cannula would be best. Ill attach a terrible mspaint picture of what I mean.

but the question is housing for the sensor and the fittings I want to know if there are certain materials that cannot be used. Or if somewhere there is a list of approved materials.

Or maybe someone knows of just such a device that I didn't find in my google-ing.

Any direction at all would be appreciated

Thanks

 

[berkeman]

Another solution for 3L/m is to generate the O2 with a machine at her bedside. I will look for some links...

 

[berkeman]

I'm thinking of units like these: http://www.vitalitymedical.com/home-oxygen-concentrator.html

Will one of those work?

 

[Bobalony]

I'm thinking of units like these: http://www.vitalitymedical.com/home-oxygen-concentrator.html

Will one of those work?

Hi Berkeman,
She does have one of those machines in her room by her bed which she uses when she's in the room, but she spends most of her time "out and about" in the activity rooms. So she's mostly getting air from the tank on the back of her wheelchair. I would venture a guess at size D or JD, they aren't very big.
she doesn't use a conservator (nurses said she was a mouth breather so it wasn't getting the suction to start delivery) so she runs the tanks down a bit faster than others. probably part of why they aren't always on top of her empty tanks.
but it wasn't a bad thought so thanks

 

[LudusRex]

I can provide some insight into the regulations and materials used for oxygen delivery in the medical field. First and foremost, all materials used for medical purposes, including oxygen delivery, must meet strict regulations and standards set by organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. These regulations ensure that the materials used are safe for human use and will not cause harm or contamination.

In terms of plastics specifically, medical grade plastics are used for oxygen delivery due to their durability, flexibility, and ability to withstand sterilization processes. These plastics must be free of any toxins or impurities, and must also be able to maintain their integrity and not degrade when exposed to oxygen or other medical gases.

There are also specific types of plastics that are commonly used for oxygen delivery, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE). These materials have been extensively tested and approved for use in medical devices.

In addition to regulations on materials, there are also regulations on the design and manufacturing of medical devices, including oxygen delivery systems. These regulations ensure that the devices are safe, effective, and reliable for patient use.

In regards to the device you mentioned, it is possible that there may already be a similar device on the market. However, it is important to note that any new medical device must go through a rigorous approval process before it can be used in clinical settings.

I hope this information is helpful in understanding the regulations and materials used for oxygen delivery in the medical field. It is always important to consult with healthcare professionals and follow proper procedures when modifying or creating medical devices.