OxyGen: Portable Oxygen Supplementation

Approximately 2.1 million patients in the United States require portable oxygen therapy to treat their respiratory diseases. Patients choose from portable oxygen tanks that hold compressed gaseous O2 or portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) that concentrate oxygen from ambient air. While oxygen tanks are mobile and do not require batteries, they contain a finite amount of oxygen, are cumbersome, heavy, and difficult to maneuver. POCs are smaller, lighter, and the gold standard for portability; however, they have a limited battery life and can only provide support to patients requiring low amounts of oxygen (1-3L/min). This automatically disqualifies 20% of patients from using POCs due to their oxygen requirements.

The technological limitations of current offerings lead to reduced mobility, initiating a vicious cycle of social isolation, depression, and poor quality of life. As flow rates increase and mobility drops, patients rapidly progress towards becoming completely homebound. With the increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases and the clinical urgency for greater mobility, a longer lasting portable treatment is imperative.

We are developing a POC that uses respiratory support mechanisms developed for the intensive care unit to increase the efficiency and lifespan of portable oxygen devices. Our goal is to expand the technologies of current POCs beyond the 3L/min barrier to improve patient mobility and quality of life.