Oracle

Currently oxygen is supplied to hospital patients via cylinders which are managed by porters
and nursing staff. Staff do not have any way of knowing instantly how much time is left at
the current gas flow rate given the gas left in a cylinder, as determined by a simple bottle
contents gauge. There have been occasions where staff have been unaware of the situation and
patients have died because their oxygen supply has run out.
If the body is deprived of oxygen for more than a few minutes, unconsciousness and death
result. The tissues and organs within the body (notably the heart and brain) are damaged if
deprived of oxygen for much longer than four minutes. It is estimated that around 30 deaths
per year occur because of oxygen cylinders running out (National Patient Safety Agency).
Our project will develop an innovative regulator for monitoring the pressure in a cylinder
which will have a user friendly screen incorporated to indicate the volume of oxygen
remaining in terms of breathing time remaining based upon the current rate of consumption.
Additionally, when oxygen is running low, there will be a device on the cylinder which will
alert healthcare staff, via a wireless to network, to enable the cylinder to be replaced in good
time without risk to the patient.
The wireless communication feature will also be used to provide a better method for the
management of cylinders in the hospital, which is currently basic and limited.
Our project results will not only help saves lives but will help healthcare providers to operate
more efficiently and save costs.
Resubmission