Various medical conditions require you to have supplemental oxygen. If you are in a condition where your oxygen level is dropping, the physician will prescribe medical oxygen based on your lifestyle.
An oxygen concentrator is a source that provides pure medical oxygen to people who need extra oxygen. Another source of oxygen is liquid medical oxygen-filled in various size cylinder containers.
What Is an Oxygen Concentrator and How Does it Work?
Oxygen concentrators are pieces of medical equipment that deliver pure oxygen to some level, to patients with breathing difficulty or who require oxygen. A person can get concentrated oxygen for 24 hours through this device that fulfills individual health needs. what you need is a reliable power source such as a wall or a character to plug into.
Inherently, a concentrator consists of parts such as a compressor, filter, oxygen tank, nasal valve, nasal cannula, or mask. as a final delivery after the oxygen is captured from the atmosphere and purified, the patient can use a mask or nasal cannula as required for delivery to the lungs. Many on the market oxygen concentrators have the potential to supply between 8 liters/minute of oxygen.
A concentrator works by filtering and concentrating oxygen from the atmosphere. Its compressor takes in the ambient air, which passes through filter sieves. This filter is made up of Zeolite that separates Nitrogen from the air. A concentrator has two sieve beds to assist in discharging 90% to 95% of pure oxygen in the cylinder and emitting Nitrogen back into the air.
The compressed oxygen is then supplied to the patient through a mask or nasal cannula.
Types of Oxygen Concentrator flow
A continuous flow oxygen concentrator is set to supply a constant flow of oxygen whether the patient will need it or not. in this regard, the overworked oxygen concentrator will not produce too much oxygen. Based on the cell size of the concentration you can get up to 3 liters of oxygen.
however, the Pulse Dose It is considered a smart concentrator that detects the breathing pattern of the patients and releases the oxygen accordingly. Here, there is no waste of oxygen. One what is needed is processed and delivered to the patient at a particular instance. however, mechanical failures and the machine not being able to read the patient can be a risk if the person is on high oxygen demand.
Who Needs Oxygen Concentrator?
It helps the people having trouble breathing due to the health condition such as:
- Asthma
- Lung Cancer
- COPD
- Covid-19
- Flu
But it is crucial to consult the doctor before using a concentrator. If the physician thinks it is the right fit for you and prescribes you a specific dose, then the patient should use it accordingly.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators
The oxygen concentrator unit is generally heavy in size and cannot easily be transferred from one place to another. Considering the high-frequency use of oxygen concentrators, the manufacturers developed a portable version of the oxygen concentrator.
A portable unit is light in weight and can be easily carried around by the patient. With a portable concentrator, the patient can live more independently and safely. Traveling with this unit has become effortless as the user can charge it at home using an A/C adapter and by car or boat using a D/C adapter.
It comes with chargeable batteries. It is usually recommended to take some extra batteries away from the house.
Brief Guide to an Oxygen Concentrator Setup at Home?
An oxygen concentrator is an ideal alternative to oxygen cylinders. If there is a shortage of cylinders, it is easier to purchase and set up this device. It does not need any refill or replacement, but the patient can only use it if prescribed by the physician.
Connect the Parts
Adding a humidification bottle helps to prevent dryness and a bloody nose. The patient can only use it if prescribed by the doctor. It is usually prescribed if the flow rate is greater than 2-3 LPM. Only use filtered or distilled water in the humidifier.
Connect the oxygen tubing to the bottle through a port if using a humidification bottle. The tubing can be attached to the adapter if there is no humidification bottle; the tubing is attached in the same way to both the humidifier and an adapter.
Before Turning on
A filter aims to clean the oxygen and deliver pure oxygen. For this reason, place the filters before turning on the machine.
Start the oxygen concentrator 10-15 min before use as it takes some time to produce pure oxygen.
Before using it, adjust the required flow rate. It is shown as the marking of 1,2,3…. liter per minute (LPM). If the patient is unsure about the flow rate, consult the physician.
Make sure that the tubing does not have any bends that hinder the oxygen's normal flow. Also, make sure that there is no gap in the sides of the mask the patient is using to breathe.
It is normal to hear the sound of processing after starting the device. Check the light, which indicates that the device is working.
If using a nasal cannula, adjust these upward to get maximum oxygen.
Points to Remember
The concentrator should be placed 1-2 feet away from the wall or any other obstruction to allow the air to flow. The device could get hot upon continuous use if there is no space for sufficient air to cool it down.
Avoid extension cord to run the oxygen concentrator as more power is required, and there is a risk of fire.
The filter or sieve should be washed at least once a week and should be used after it's completely dry.
Wash it once a week with warm water and mild dish soap for tubing or face mask cleaning. Dry it completely after each wash, and don't let the water get in the tube.
Factors to Consider When Buying an Oxygen Concentrator
When purchasing a concentrator, the user should consider the following aspects:
- Check the flow rate at which the concentrator delivers oxygen. It is the rate at which the oxygen flows from the concentrator to the patient. The flow rate is measured in liters per minute (LPM).
- The flow capacity of the oxygen concentrator should be higher than the requirement. For example, if a condition is 5 LPM, the user should purchase an 8 LPM concentrator.
- Check the number of filters or sieves present in the concentrator. The quality of oxygen delivered depends on the filters. The oxygen produced should be 90% to 95% pure.
- The user should keep in mind other aspects are consumption, noise level, portability, and warranty.
as a final note. if you have a need to rent an oxygen concentrator, sky medical supplies have various oxygen rentals options near Denver colorado, and around Denver international airport (DIA)