Venturi mask
The venturi mask, also known as an air-entrainment mask, is a medical device to deliver a known oxygen concentration to patients on controlled oxygen therapy.[1][2] The mask was invented by Moran Campbell at McMaster University Medical School as a replacement for intermittent oxygen treatment. Dr. Campbell was fond of quoting John Scott Haldane's description of intermittent oxygen treatment; "bringing a drowning man to the surface – occasionally".[3][4] By contrast the venturi mask offered a constant supply of oxygen at a much more precise range of concentrations.
Use
Venturi masks are used to deliver a specified fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2). Many masks are color-coded and have a recommended oxygen flow specified on them.[5] When used with this oxygen flow, the mask should provide the specified FIO2. Other brands of mask have a rotating attachment that controls the air entrainment window, affecting the concentration of oxygen. This system is often used with air-entrainment nebulizers to provide humidification and oxygen therapy. The total flow of gas (oxygen plus the entrained air) will be greater than the patient's peak inspiratory flow so the delivered FIO2 is independent of their respiratory pattern.[5]
A controlled FIO2 is particularly important for patients whose ventilation is dependent on hypoxic drive,[5] as may be seen in patients with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Administration of too much oxygen may lead to a reduction in their respiratory rate and retention of carbon dioxide, and ultimately to reduced consciousness or even death.[6]
Mechanism
The mechanism of action is variously described with reference to the venturi effect or Bernoulli's principle.[7] However, a fixed performance oxygen delivery system works on the principle of jet mixing. Where the flow of moving oxygen meets the static air, viscous shearing causes a predictable amount of the air to be dragged into the flow.[7][8]
See also
- Oxygen mask for masks used in various settings
References
- Use of a reservoir nasal cannula in hospitalized patients with refractory hypoxemia; Sheehan, JC, O'Donohue, WJ; Chest. 1996; 110:s1.
- Bateman NT, Leach RM (1998). "ABC of oxygen. Acute oxygen therapy". BMJ. 317 (7161): 798–801. doi:10.1136/bmj.317.7161.798. PMC 1113909. PMID 9740573.
- Gibson, G. J. (2004-09-01). "Moran Campbell and clinical science". Thorax. 59 (9): 737–740. doi:10.1136/thx.2004.032219. ISSN 0040-6376. PMC 1747134. PMID 15333847.
- Sekhar, KC; Rao, SSC Chakra (2014). "John Scott Haldane: The father of oxygen therapy". Indian Journal of Anaesthesia. 58 (3): 350–352. doi:10.4103/0019-5049.135087. ISSN 0019-5049. PMC 4091013. PMID 25024490.
- Al-Shaikh, Baha; Stacey, Simon (2013). "Masks and oxygen delivery devices". Essentials of Anaesthetic Equipment (4th ed.). Elsevier. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- Young, IH (2007). "Revisiting oxygen therapy in patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease". The Medical Journal of Australia. 186 (5): 239. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb00880.x. PMID 17391085. S2CID 27365725.
- Kittredge P (1983). "Neither Venturi nor Bernoulli". Lancet. 1 (8317): 182. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(83)92779-4. S2CID 10964089.
- Scacci R (1979). "Air entrainment masks: jet mixing is how they work; the Venturi and Bernoulli principles are how they don't". Respir. Care. 24: 928–931.