Building A Better MouseTrap Necessity is Still the Mother of Inventions!

People with lung problems run into a lot of daily problems. Ever come up with an easier way of doing things? Putting your thoughts into action is so much easier said than done.
We were intrigued when we received a package from Paul Thompson. Inside were some of the softest oxygen cannulas we have ever felt. Paul writes: "My Aunt Delores uses oxygen and she was always very good to me. I am an engineer who designed cannulas for a major manufacturer and was able to obtain samples from virtually every manufacturer of cannulas in this country and abroad. Dip molded cannulas are more expensive to produce but they are more comfortable to wear. I worked in my garage to come up with a cost-is-no-object cannula for her to wear. I built my own machine to obtain qualities to eliminate the feel of the prongs in the nose. The tubing does not need to be pulled just right to hold everything in place. Relaxing the tubing reduces the pressure on the ears, nose and cheeks. The nosepiece has no tendency to tip sideways so everything stays in place. The material used to make the cannulas is the same as all manufacturers use and has passed all the same toxicology tests and manufactured to the same standards of cleanliness."
Paul sent a 50-foot hose. He says "It will not twist up, lays flat and it stays right where you put it (it acts like wet spaghetti). It isn’t for everyone though because it is soft and easily blocked. It doesn’t do well in a garage or workshop where it can get caught or if there are a lot of people that can step on it (I’m working on something that makes noise if the tube is blocked.)" There is also a cannula for infants.
I will "give" the cannulas away and charge $8 for shipping and handling. I realize this is a lot more than free ones but I have to make them one at a time and the special tubing material is triple the ordinary cost. They do last a lot longer than regular ones so it isn’t as bad as it seems. Hopefully, if demand is sufficient, I will be able to drop the cost to the point that maybe service providers will buy them and they will be free to the user.
If you would like to try an adult cannula for $8 or no-twist 50-foot tubing for $25; please send check to:
Paul Thompson
11472 Tree Hollow Lane
San Diego, CA 92128
You may reach Paul by e-mail at pthomps2@san.rr.com

We encourage all of our readers to think about how your life could be easier. Is it a piece of equipment or treatment option that you are wishing for? Please let us know what you come up with!

Reprinted from "The Pulmonary Paper", Vol 12 No 3 July/August 2001