B24-16 When Oxygen Concentrators Fall Short During Ambulation: A Feasibility Study of OXFO-RBS in Augmenting 5l/min Concentrator Performance to Restore Adequate Saturation

Rationale Many patients on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) who use a 5L/min home oxygen concentrator frequently desaturate below 88% during ambulation or exercise despite adequate saturation at rest. Patients are typically escalated to a 10L/min concentrator to address their saturation needs; however, there are increased costs to patients (e.g., copays, electricity) and to payors or government agencies. As an alternative and less costly solution, the OXFO-RBS is a lightweight, portable, reservoir-based oxygen delivery system that does not require electricity. It is designed to connect directly to the concentrator, augmenting its effectiveness and thereby avoiding the need to escalate to 10L/min equipment. The OXFO-RBS delivers a higher concentration of oxygen to the patient during inhalation and helps maintain adequate saturation during ambulation or exercise. Methods In Colombia, patients for whom the OXFO-RBS was recommended by their physician participated in a standardized in-home clinical evaluation by a respiratory therapist to verify clinical necessity and therapeutic benefit of the device. Patients completed two six-minute walk tests (6MWT): first using the stationary concentrator at 5L/min and second using the concentrator at 5L/min with OXFO-RBS attached. A minimum 10-minute rest period and recovery of peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≥88% occurred between tests. The standard 6MWT was modified only in the walking route to accommodate the home environment. SpO2, heart rate, and Borg Dyspnea Scale (BDS) scores were recorded before and after each test. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to compare outcomes between conditions. Results Data from one patient were excluded after he ended the baseline test due to leg fatigue, not desaturation. Among the remaining seven patients, the mean proportion of walking time with an SpO2 ≥88% was 28% with the concentrator alone and 100% with the OXFO-RBS (p < 0.001). Mean BDS scores at the end of the test were 8.0 and 4.9, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean total walking distance increased from 102.9 m with the concentrator alone to 135.4 m with the OXFO-RBS (p < 0.01). Conclusions The OXFO-RBS significantly improved oxygenation, exercise tolerance, and dyspnea scores in patients using stationary 5L/min oxygen concentrators during home ambulation. These findings suggest that the OXFO-RBS enhances the clinical effectiveness of the 5L/min concentrator by maintaining adequate oxygen saturation throughout activity. These data indicate the potential for cost savings by delaying escalation to 10L/min concentrators and enabling greater mobility and quality of life for patients requiring LTOT. This abstract is funded by: OXFO Corporation