Other attributes
A nasal cannula is a flexible tube placed under the nose with two prongs that go inside nostrils that is used to deliver oxygen. Nasal cannulas or face masks are both used to deliver oxygen to people with hypoxia due to conditions such as asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, pneumonia and sleep apnea. High-flow nasal cannula oxygenation (HFNCO) is used in the treatment of acute respiratory failure. A low-flow nasal cannula (LFNC) is an open system of oxygen supplementation with high amounts of leaking air near the oxygen source. While LFNC can deliver 4 to 6 liters per minute of oxygen, HFNC is able to deliver 100% humidified and heated oxygen at 60 liters per minute.
Nasal cannulas and oxygen tubing are made from materials such as flexible DEHP plastic, soft PVC plastic, vinyl and non-latex rubber. Nasal cannula prongs may be curved, flared, curved and flared or straight. Straight prong cannulas are designed to reach further up the nasal passage.
