inforMED
InjuryECX

Intelli-OX+ Medical Oxygen Cylinder

Received Jul 22, 2026 · Event occurred May 16, 2026

Report 25904140 · MDR key 25904140

Device

Generic name

Cylinder, Compressed Gas, And Valve

Manufacturer

Airgas Usa, Llc

Model number

UN1072

Product problems

  • Device Alarm System
  • Use of Device Problem
  • Improper or Incorrect Procedure or Method
  • Insufficient Device Problem Information

Patient

Not reported

  • Hypoxia
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Insufficient Information

Narrative

Description of Event or Problem

ON "[REDACTED]", A PATIENT REQUIRING CONTINUOUS OXYGEN THERAPY WAS TRANSPORTED TO AND FROM CT ON A PORTABLE OXYGEN TANK. SHORTLY AFTER RETURNING TO THE UNIT, THE PATIENT WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE AND HYPOXIC DURING ROUTINE PHYSICIAN ROUNDS. THE PATIENT REQUIRED EMERGENCY INTERVENTION, INCLUDING NON-REBREATHER OXYGEN, BIPAP SUPPORT, AND TRANSFER TO THE ICU. EVALUATION OF THE PORTABLE OXYGEN TANK AFTER THE EVENT REVEALED IT WAS EMPTY, ALTHOUGH IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN THE OXYGEN SUPPLY BECAME DEPLETED. WHAT MALFUNCTIONED OR MADE IT DIFFICULT TO USE? THE PORTABLE OXYGEN TANK WAS EMPTY AT THE TIME OF EVALUATION, AND THE INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED POTENTIAL EQUIPMENT AND PROCESS ISSUES, INCLUDING THE LACK OF EFFECTIVE LOW-PRESSURE OR EMPTY-TANK ALARMS, ABSENCE OF RELIABLE OXYGEN DEPLETION MONITORING. THERE WAS ALSO A PROCESS GAP IN STAFF VERIFYING OXYGEN TANK VOLUME BEFORE AND AFTER TRANSPORT. THESE FACTORS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE PATIENT WAS NO LONGER RECEIVING OXYGEN.

Description of Event or Problem

On "[redacted]", a patient requiring continuous oxygen therapy was transported to and from CT on a portable oxygen tank. Shortly after returning to the unit, the patient was found unresponsive and hypoxic during routine physician rounds. The patient required emergency intervention, including non-rebreather oxygen, BiPAP support, and transfer to the ICU. Evaluation of the portable oxygen tank after the event revealed it was empty, although it is unclear when the oxygen supply became depleted.What malfunctioned or made it difficult to use?The portable oxygen tank was empty at the time of evaluation, and the investigation identified potential equipment and process issues, including the lack of effective low-pressure or empty-tank alarms, absence of reliable oxygen depletion monitoring. There was also a process gap in staff verifying oxygen tank volume before and after transport. These factors made it difficult to recognize that the patient was no longer receiving oxygen.