To initiate our project, we did research on specific topics that were mentioned by our project partner–Mrs. Travis Clifton–in her description of the problem she was facing. The primary mission of the project is to design a “hands-free” solution to the tangling and kinking of the oxygen tubes that Mrs. Clifton’s husband, Mr. Mark Clifton, needs to use as part of treatment for his interstitial lung disease. The inconvenience of the tangling of the oxygen tubes used by Mr. Clifton interferes with the couple’s daily life. They have tried different solutions to the issue, but none have met their expectations. To find background information regarding this problem, we looked into: 

1. the basics of interstitial lung disease

2. the basics of stationary oxygen concentrators

3. the composition and features of oxygen tubing

4. existing solutions that were deemed unsuccessful

Interstitial Lung Disease

Mr. Mark Clifton has interstitial lung disease (ILD)– a condition in which the scarring of the lungs causes difficulty for the body to intake oxygen. Figure 1 is a visual depiction of normal lungs compared to that of ILD, and shows how this oxygen is limited. Notable symptoms of ILD include shortness of breath and fatigue, causing substantial limits to physical activity. The most common treatment for ILD is oxygen therapy, which makes it easier to breathe and delivers the necessary oxygen into the bloodstream [4].

Stationary Oxygen Concentrator

Mr. Mark Clifton uses both a stationary and portable oxygen concentrator as a mode of oxygen treatment. However, our project relates specifically to the issues relating to a stationary oxygen concentrator and its tubing [8]. The purpose of a stationary oxygen concentrator is to filter nitrogen from the air so that the user can breathe about 95% oxygen, which is necessary for those with ILD who are naturally deficient in blood oxygen. An oxygen concentrator typically weighs about 22 lbs and has handles and wheels that allow it to move from room to room. The concentrator must also be plugged into an electrical outlet to power on [8]. Additionally, the filtered oxygen from the concentrator is transmitted to the user via a nasal cannula— a tube that has two prongs into the nostrils (see Figure 2).

Oxygen Tubing

The project revolves around oxygen tubing– plastic tubes that serve the purpose of transporting the filtered oxygen from the oxygen concentrator to the user. The tubing is typically made of silicone, polyethylene, or polyurethane [7]:

Silicone

Tubing made of silicone is elastic and soft. The positive aspects are that it is stretchy and allows for tubing to have a small inner diameter. The negative aspect is that it is slippery and can easily pull off of the connectors that fasten tubes to the oxygen concentrator and to each other. 

Polyethylene

The positive aspect of tubing made of polyethylene is that it will fasten well to connectors at first. However, it is stiff and will eventually stretch, weakening the connections. 

Polyurethane

This material has the ability to stretch, fasten well to connectors, and resist kinking. However, this material is typically used for tubes that are meant to be inserted under the skin

[7].

Oxygen tubing is typically 6m-15m. The longer the tubing, the more prone it is to tangling and kinking. However,  the advantage of longer tubing is that the user can walk longer distances without having to reposition the stationary oxygen concentrator. 

Tubing should also be replaced at least every 90 days. 

[3]

Failed Solutions

In her description of the tangled tubes problem, Mrs. Travis Clifton provided some insight into the potential solutions that they found to be unsuccessful:

Twisted tubes

This design prevents kinking to a degree, however the oxygen tubes still get tangled when the user moves around. 

Different tubing brands

There are some brands of tubing that are more kink/tangle resistant, however there is not one in particular that is notable enough for Mr. Travis Clifton to mention. 

Amazon plastic holder

The plastic holder prevents kinking but does not seem to provide any assistance on the tangling of the tubes. 

Tidy Tube

This was simply deemed ‘not effective’ by Mrs. Travis Clifton. Therefore, it was unsuccessful in preventing kinking and/or tangling of the oxygen tubes.

O2Remote

This has not been tried by Mrs. Travis and Mr. Mark Clifton, however they deemed it unsuccessful because it is difficult to understand how to position it in relation to the stationary oxygen concentrator that moves from room to room. This device is also not aesthetically pleasing.

Conclusion

In summary, this research has consolidated key aspects of interstitial lung disease and oxygen concentrators and tubing to address the inconvenience of tangled oxygen tubes. Moving forward, we will create mockup prototypes based on this research and conduct further tests on oxygen tubing in order to guide us to our final solution. These actions aim to address certain unknowns that cannot be provided by secondary research, and build upon the foundation established by this research. By combining insights from this secondary research with forthcoming steps, we aim to achieve an efficient solution to Mark’s problem.

References

[1] C. Aguiar et al., “Tubing length for long-term oxygen therapy,” Respiratory care, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25406341/ (accessed Sep. 25, 2024). 

[2] D. L. Cullen and J. A. Koss, “Oxygen tubing lengths and output flows: Implications for patient care,” Chronic respiratory disease. [Online] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16541602/ [Accessed: Sep. 25, 2024].

[3] “Everything you need to know about oxygen tubing,” Mega Medical. [Online] https://www.megamedical.com.au/everything-you-need-to-know-about-oxygen-tubing/ [Accessed: Sep. 25, 2024].

[4] “Interstitial Lung Disease,” American Lung Association, https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/interstitial-lung-disease (accessed Sep. 25, 2024). 

[5] “Interstitial Lung Disease,” Mayo Clinic. [Online] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/interstitial-lung-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353108 (accessed Sep. 25, 2024). 

[6] S. Cerreta, “How long can your oxygen tubing safely be?,” COPD Foundation. [Online] https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/Questions-and-Answers/How-Long-Can-your-Oxygen-Tubing-Safely-Be.aspx [Accessed: Sep. 25, 2024].

[7] W. Boughter, “7 Things to Consider When Choosing Tubing for Research,” Instechlabs.com, Dec. 11, 2017 https://www.instechlabs.com/blog/7-things-to-consider-when-choosing-tubing-for-research (accessed Oct. 02, 2024).

[8] “What Is an Oxygen Concentrator?,” Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25183-oxygen-concentrators

[9] St. Vincent’s Hospital https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.svhlunghealth.com.au%2Fconditions%2Fild-interstitial-lung-disease&psig=AOvVaw0ERk6Ffgnohr69N54_94zs&ust=1733249746658000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCMjKz83YiYoDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

[10] Main Clinic Supply https://mainclinicsupply.com/cdn/shop/files/OxyHome2_1200x1200.jpg?v=1723143812

[11] Seventh Street Medical Supply Tidy Tubing  https://www.seventhstreetmedicalsupply.com/tidy-tubing.html

[12] Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Heyshapeing-Supports-Compatible-Concentrator-Portable/dp/B0D1KKVVZ

[13] Source: “Tidy Tubing” https://www.amazon.com/Tidy-Tubing-15-Retractable-Oxygen/dp/B01M4JPCOS

[14] Oxygen Management Systems https://www.oxygenmgmtsystems.com/