Jim DuCanto and I discuss the Oxylator series and delve into the novel features and advantages they offer for EMS folk and prehospital doctors
Prehospital pointers:
1.Manual BVM has issues as we discuss. Gastric overinflation and hyperventilation with abnormal CO2 are two major problems. Scott Weingart recommends using the ventilator as your smart BVM. Could not agree more but its a major culture change for most of us to do this. Many of us prehospital folk do not have ventilators. But the Oxylator does the same job, is pressure and flow limited for safety and costs $2000 per device. Its small and light, very portable.
2. Gas driven so not reliant on batteries or electricity. Safer in hazardous, flammable gas filled environments where an electrical spark may kill everyone during the rescue. Problem is carrying enough pressurised gas. Jim talks of a work around solution of using an air compressor he bought from a local hardware store! Novel solution but not ready for prime time! More on role of gas compressors in a future episode!
Episode show notes:
Use of Oxylator by first responders and maintaining normocapnia
OXYGEN-POWERED FLOW-LIMITED RESUSCITATOR VERSUS MANUAL VENTILATION
Automated high frequence ventilation during experimental CPR – a new approach to resuscitation
Stay safe and enjoy the podcast!
Minh
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Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine - THE PHARM dedicated to the memory of Dr John Hinds 
Hey Jim & Minh,
Nice demonstration. The vent rate seems quite fast and varies only a bit with the PIP setting. Any reports of adverse outcomes.
Seems like a reasonable device where there is only one or two rescuers as it would potentially free up a pair of hands. Would be worried that this might take a rescuers eye off the airway and vent until the SpO2 alarm starts sounding.
You say that the max flow rate reaches 30l/min (or 45L/min depending on which device you’re using) on max settings. What’s the average rate and how long have you managed to get out of the various cylinder sizes?
Thanks
Matthew
just did some benchmark and field testing of this last week
take note . the oxylator is not available in Australia.
Nearest distributor is Singapore.
For prehospital work this is a handy device. My testing, I got it nicely ventilating the test lung on 6L/min flow set at PIP 30cm H2o at a rep rate of 6/min. I was able to increase the resp rate by increasing the flow rate.
At that rate and flow, our kevlar CD cylinders hold 680 L and so two of them would last around 3.5 hrs.
I tested this along with the SureVent2 portable ventilator which had trouble ventilating the test lung at a flow rate of 6L/min..you need higher flow rates for that partic vent.
The Oxylator I showed to junior and senior rural doctors during a farming accident simulation training day. They all commented on how easy and simple it was to use. Robust device and it even kept working during tropical rain showers.. Its quite safe as it is pressure limited and there is an obvious valve release audible signal when pressure is excessive
Is this device used in the US by pre-hospital providers for cardiac arrest resuscitation?
Not that I am aware of but I will ask Jim