Improving Oxygen Concentrator Use in the Developing World Team Members: Paul Gordon, Marie Hopkins, and Kathe Pocker Clinical Partner: Dennis McCutcheon Faculty Advisors: M.B. Privitera and B. Haridas 1

Clinical Problem Hypoxemia, a deficiency of oxygen in the bloodstream, contributes to higher mortality rates for patients. Oxygen therapy can be critical to improving the health of these and other respiratory-compromised patients. Many low-resource healthcare facilities do not have a regular supply of oxygen. Through literary research we performed and through travelling to Guatemala this past December to visit clinics and assess the need for oxygen therapy in these settings, we found that many low-resource healthcare facilities do not have a regular supply of oxygen. 2

Design Problem Statement Oxygen concentrators provide oxygen therapy to patients using electricity and atmospheric air. Our challenge is to design a solution to return these oxygen concentrators to optimal performance during extended use by removing contaminants from zeolite. Oxygen concentrators used in developing world clinics often operate in hot, humid environments that contribute to decreased oxygen output, primarily via water contamination of the machine’s filtering material, zeolite. Zeolite is a molecular sieve that filters atmospheric air and is pictured in the bottom right corner. Here’s a helpful analogy to envision what our device will do. If you think of an oxygen concentrator as a clothes dryer, our device would be what cleans the lint from the drying filter.

Market and Opportunity Gap Low Resource Setting Opportunity Gap The number of oxygen concentrators in use in low resource settings is currently unknown. In district hospitals of Kenya, only 58% of patients received prescribed oxygen therapy1. Most rural clinics are not as well equipped as these district hospitals. High Resource Setting Opportunity Gap Currently, zeolite repours are only known option. There is no known repair tool known to exist. Our device could be marketed to medical repair service companies. 58%: From our literature reviews and research in Guatemala, its clear that this trend extends around the world. Our device works to revitalize zeolite, which is found in all oxygen concentrators. 4

Design Solution Removal of contaminants via Our proposed technology Pressure System (vacuum & dry gas) Heating System Our proposed technology Heat treatment via heating coil Vacuum pulled on system Dry gas passed through system Can fit and attach to a wide range of oxygen concentrator models Uses pressure and heat together to create conditions needed to desorb water vapor contamination from zeolite. We tested these systems independently to gain understanding and assure function of prototype. 5

Pressure System Prototype Line to dry gas source Ingress Gauge Fine flow regulator Cylinder filled with zeolite Egress Gauge Line to vacuum pump

Heating System Testing Conclusions Heat treatment changes thermal properties of the zeolite. Heat treatment results in a mass loss. confirm that we can replicate zeolite heating and release contaminate release seen in our literature research. First tested on small scale and showed that we can replicate the change in thermal properties with heat treatment. Performed thermogravimetric analysis that showed correlation between mass loss and heat treatment. We believe this mass loss relates to a release in water contaminants.

Next Steps & Concept Drawing Short-term Heat zeolite samples on a larger scale and measure oxygen output after heating. Combine heating and pressure prototypes and test. Long-term Define optimal heating profiles that produce the largest gain in oxygen output. Zeolite cylinder Desiccator and insulated heating coil Handle for transport Flow regulator Intake Exhaust heating device zeolite canisters and then testing their oxygen output to test if this process improves oxygen output Electric plug (110V or 220V) Insulated cylinder heating coil wrap Vacuum pump (50Hz or 60Hz) 8

Regulatory Pathway/Strategy Our device will not be filed with the FDA or regulatory bodies as a medical device as it does not provide any care to or contact with a patient. 9

Acknowledgements We thank the following for their support and funding UC Forward Initiative Medical Device Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program Professor Mary Beth Privitera Professor Balakrishna Haridas University of Cincinnati UC Medical Center 10

Acknowledgements We thank the following for their support and funding Chemical engineering consultant: Michel Cosme Guatemalan guides: Dennis and Cindy McCutcheon, Joe Leier UC Faculty: V. Guliants, S. Thiel, P. Rosales, R. Branson Industry contacts: D. Devry, G. Richardson, M. Gillespie, R. Cairnes Equipment assistance: Caring Partners International, Philips Home Healthcare Solutions Our families, classmates, and friends who have supported us 11

Questions?

References 1.“Assessment of inpatient paediatric care in first referral level hospitals in 13 districts in Kenya.” http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0140673604164088/1-s2.0-S0140673604164088-main.pdf?_tid=e5873eac-c4de-11e4-9b31-00000aab0f02&acdnat=1425742414_16e8c3bdbe07cc992c28ac1a0778bfd6 2.“Oxygen Concentrators: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2013 to 2018”. http://wintergreenresearch.com/reports/oxygen%20concentrators.html 3. http://www.awinhospitalproducts.com/product/35-oxygen-mask-wwom-3f96/