The oxygen mask is a medical device for oxygen therapy. When is it used? What are the types of oxygen mask? Your oxygen mask questions answered.

Oxygen masks are used in oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy involves getting oxygen into a person’s tracheobronchial tree in order to restore or maintain a normal level of oxygen in the blood verified by a saturation level, which must be greater than 95%. Normobaric oxygen (ONB) is administered by nasal catheter, goggles, waterproof mask, high concentration mask or artificial respirator, as indicated.

Composition

The oxygen mask consists of a transparent plastic mask that covers the nose and mouth, a device located under the nose and in front of the mouth that allows the connection of the tubing (long hose). This is connected to the concentrator or to the oxygen cylinders. It also includes elastic bands that hold the mask to the face, a metal pinch tab at the nose for a good fit, and holes on each side of the mask for single oxygen models that allow the evacuation of the face. exhaled air and inhalation of ambient air in addition to the oxygen administered.

The high concentration oxygen mask or reserve mask is also equipped with a bag (oxygen tank). This enriches the inspired air with oxygen, with a higher concentration than with a simple mask.

The oxygen mask allows an additional supply of gaseous oxygen (oxygen therapy) for people in a state of respiratory failure. It is indicated in case of:

• hypoxemia (low oxygen content in the blood);
• hypercapnia (increased CO2 content in the blood);
• acute hypoxia (decreased distribution of oxygen to tissues);
• chronic hypoxia (pathologies leading to chronic respiratory failure, COPD).

Public concerned or at risk

The oxygen mask can be used in hospitals (emergency services, operating theater, recovery room, intensive care) at home for people who are chronically insufficiently respiratory and also by first-aiders for the wounded or sick in respiratory distress.

The stages of operation

If you need an oxygen mask, a caregiver puts you in a seated or semi-seated position, asks you to blow your nose, then sets up the oxygenation system and finally puts on the mask.

If you have chronic respiratory failure, you put on your mask yourself.

When to use it?

The oxygen mask is used in cases where it is necessary to promote better blood oxygenation and to treat or prevent tissue hypoxia, especially in cases of acute or chronic respiratory failure.

The oxygen mask is mainly used in cases of respiratory failure (which is manifested by shortness of breath sometimes associated with other symptoms such as intense fatigue, headaches, bluish coloration of the extremities).

Drawbacks

The simple oxygen mask provides a higher O2 concentration than glasses and nasal tubes. But the person wearing the mask sometimes has the feeling of “suffocating” under the mask, especially in the event of respiratory distress.

The oxygen mask causes dryness in the nose and mouth.

The different models

It exists :

• simple oxygen masks: the single or medium concentration mask has side openings without flexible valves that allow the evacuation of exhaled gas (CO2);
• the medium concentration mask is used when no precise control of the inspired oxygen concentration is required. During inspiration, the patient breathes a gas mixture originating from the oxygen supplied to the mask by the tubing and from the ambient air circulating through the orifices on both sides of the mask;
• high concentration and very high concentration oxygen masks: non-return valves located on the exhalation ports prevent air from entering the mask during inhalation and allow the exhaled gases to be released from the mask during inhalation ‘expiry. A non-return valve located between the mask and the reservoir bag allows gas from the reservoir bag to enter the mask when the patient inhales, but prevents gas exhaled by the patient from entering the reservoir bag.

This type of mask is reserved for situations where high concentrations of O2 are required. It is used in emergency medical assistance or in emergency services.

Origins of the medical device, year of creation, creator, first functions

The first uses of medical oxygen date back to the end of the XNUMXth century.

The first portable oxygenation systems were used during World War I.