A Low-Resource Oxygen Blender Prototype for Use in Modified Bubble CPAP Circuits

The device that is being evaluated is a novel low-cost, high access oxygen blender designed to be used in the World Health Organization bCPAP design. It functions by utilizing the Venturi effect, whereby a narrow jet of one fluid (i.e. oxygen) creates a suction effect and entrains surrounding ambient fluid (i.e. room air) into the jet, effectively creating a mixed solution of both fluids. The cost of materials amounts to approximately 1.40 U.S.D. The average time it takes to build a blender and incorporate it into a bCPAP circuit for a new user is approximately 16 minutes. The materials can all be found in a standard hospital, namely 3cc syringes with rubber stops and a 22 gauge hypodermic needle.