Abstract
Oxygen therapy is extensively used in premature infants and adults with respiratory insufficiency. In the premature infant the goal during manual control of the FIO2 is to maintain adequate oxygenation and to minimize the exposure to hypoxemia, hyperoxemia, and oxygen. However, this is frequently not achieved during routine care, which increases the risks of associated side effects affecting the eye, lungs, and central nervous system. In the adult the primary goal is to avoid hypoxemia, but conventional methods of oxygen supplementation may fall short during periods of increased demand. On the other hand, there are growing concerns related to unnecessarily high FIO2 levels that increase the exposure to hyperoxemia and excessive oxygen use in settings where resources are limited. Systems for automated closed loop control of FIO2 have been developed for use in neonates and adults. This paper will give an overview of the rationale for the development of these systems, present the evidence, and discuss important advantages and limitations.
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Nelson Claure MSc PhD, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, PO Box 016960, R-131, Miami FL 33101. E-mail: nclaure{at}miami.edu.
Dr Claure presented a version of this paper at the 50th Respiratory Care Journal Conference, “Oxygen,” held April 13–14, 2012, in San Francisco, California.
The authors have a patent on a closed loop oxygen system discussed herein. The University of Miami is the assignee for that patent and has a licensing agreement with CareFusion, which provided support for studies of the system.
- Copyright © 2013 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.
