Vaportherm Unicorn Cannula

The UNICORN™ single-prong nasal cannula offers therapeutic efficacy and a comfortable, easy-to-use solution for unique patient populations including veterinary patients with unique breathing requirements, facial trauma, or those experiencing a nare obstruction. This solution is designed for spontaneously breathing animals.

The Unicorn single-prong cannula designed for:

• Unique veterinary animal requirements.
• Facial Trauma
• Nare Obstruction
• Facial Abnormality
• Require maximum CO₂ clearance
• Need to reduce oxygen consumption rate (i.e. in a gas constrained environment)

Sizing

Offered in a variety of sizes to ensures the correct fit.  3 sizes are available from infant to pediatric to adult. Each size is clearly color-coded for fast identification.

UNICORN™ FAQs

Why Choose the Unicorn Cannula?

The Unicorn’s single-prong configuration can deliver optimal flushing of the patient’s upper airway. The Unicorn cannula improves treatment effectiveness by achieving similar CO₂ removal at reduced flow rates when compared to the dual-prong cannula.  This capability boosts CO₂ clearance and could enable certain users to attain therapeutic flushing of hypercarbia using lower flow levels. According to lab tests, the Unicorn accomplishes comparable upper airway dead space clearance with at least 10 L/min les

s flow than a dual-prong cannula, and in certain cases, even larger reductions may occur.  The Unicorn delivers therapeutic effectiveness along with a comfortable, user-friendly option for specific patient groups, such as those with facial deformities, facial injuries, or animals who need nasogastric (NG) tubes.

In What Way Does the Flow Delivery Differ for the Unicorn Single-Prong Cannula Compared to the Double-Prong Cannula?

Using the Unicorn, high-velocity flow goes into one nostril, while the other nostril remains entirely open for the exit of flushed CO₂. This uneven flow generates a “swirl” effect that improves the flushing of CO₂ from the upper airway.1 Consequently, a more sealing fit can be applied with the Unicorn cannula, though care is needed if the patient has any blockage in the open nostril, like from a nasogastric tube (refer to FAQ #5 below). Just like with the dual-prong cannula, an open mouth on the patient offers an additional pathway for egress. This operational mechanism facilitates better CO₂ removal at lower flow rates and preserves the advantages of high-velocity flow in eliminating exhaled CO₂ and decreasing the patient’s breathing effort.

Does the Unicorn Provide Equivalent Respiratory Support and Reduce Work of Breathing for a Patient Experiencing Respiratory Distress?

Yes. The Unicorn cannula’s design offers alleviation of shortness of breath and lowering of hypercarbia, as shown in a recent randomized crossover study by Atwood et al.2 In this study across two sites, the single-prong cannula delivered equivalent CO₂ flushing at much lower flow rates (traditional double-prong versus single-prong; p <0.0001). Comparable results were noted in a study on neonates following extubation3, and the idea was illustrated in an animal study where the single-prong cannula showed a stronger effect on CO₂ elimination than the double-prong cannula.4 High-velocity therapy via the Unicorn enhances gas exchange and unloads CO₂ in a manner that depends on the dose. The Unicorn’s distinctive design enables similar CO₂ reduction at lower flow rates relative to a double-prong cannula.

How Does the Unicorn Assist a Hypercapnic Patient in Respiratory Distress?

The Unicorn offers alleviation of shortness of breath and lowering of hypercarbia at much lower flow rates than the conventional dual-prong cannula.