Oxygen catheters

Oxygen catheters are medical devices used to administer oxygen to patients who need it. These catheters are thin, flexible tubes that are inserted into the patient's airway, usually through the nose (nasal catheter) or mouth (buccal catheter), although they can also be inserted directly into the trachea (tracheal catheter) in specific situations.

Oxygen is delivered through the catheter at a rate prescribed by the physician, which helps to increase oxygen levels in the patient's blood and improve oxygenation of body tissues. This is useful in a variety of medical situations, such as in patients with respiratory failure, chronic lung disease, during anesthesia or after surgery.

There are different types of oxygen catheters, each with specific characteristics depending on the needs of the patient and the clinical setting. For example, some catheters are designed to provide oxygen at constant flow, while others can be adjusted to deliver oxygen only when the patient inhales (low-flow oxygen catheters).