In the intensive care of premature infants, one of the main clinical dilemmas is the optimal management of oxygen delivery. Although supplementary oxygen is often necessary for survival, this therapy is associated with serious risks: excess oxygen (hyperoxia) causes bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy, while deficiency (hypoxia) increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, maintaining oxygen levels within a safe range is crucial.<\/p>\n
The difficulty lies in the fact that regulating oxygen levels is a complex, labor-intensive, and often inconsistent process. In response to this challenge, a new approach\u2014Closed-Loop Automated Oxygen Control (CLAC) systems\u2014is changing the practice of care for these vulnerable infants. This technology automatically regulates oxygen levels in real-time, significantly improving therapy accuracy, potentially reducing the duration of ventilation and associated complications.<\/p>\n
How Does the CLAC System Work?<\/strong><\/p>\n Closed-Loop Automated Oxygen Control (CLAC) systems combine continuous monitoring with intelligent automation for precise management of oxygen delivery. The process begins with a pulse oximeter that continuously measures peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) in real-time.<\/p>\n The system uses advanced algorithms that calculate and determine the necessary concentration of inspired oxygen based on the SpO2 data. Following this, CLAC automatically regulates the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) on respiratory support devices (e.g., high-flow nasal cannulas, ventilators, or CPAP). Thanks to the algorithm parameters, the system quickly and accurately responds to the smallest changes in oxygen levels.<\/p>\n