Let’s take it from the scratch and address all the queries by the end.

What is an oxygen concentrator?

Oxygen concentrators are widely used as stationary sources to provide long-term oxygen therapy to patients with respiratory issues at home.

How do these concentrators work?

The compressor of these concentrators sucks ambient air and adjusts the pressure at which it is provided. The sieve bed made of a crystalline material called Zeolite deviates the nitrogen from the air.

A concentrator has two sieve beds that work not only to release oxygen into a cylinder but also to discharge the separated nitrogen back into the environment.

The pressure valve helps regulate oxygen supply ranging from 5 to 10 liters per minute. The compressed oxygen is then dispensed to the patient through a nasal cannula.

When would you need an oxygen concentrator?

An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that gives you an alternative to natural oxygen. Your doctor may prescribe one for you if you have a health condition that causes your oxygen level to drop too low like in case of Asthma.

These concentrators help the asthma patient to take their regular oxygen therapy at home without any hassle of visiting the hospital or any clinic.

How to use these oxygen concentrators?

A manual comes with these concentrators that you can use to operate these concentrators. There is a step-by-step guide given in that manual to help you in order to use these concentrators aptly.

In case you can’t understand it, you can call certified professionals who are trained to address such situations. They will help you in understanding the way in which you can use these concentrators through a live demo.

How many types of oxygen concentrators are there?

Continuous flow: This type of concentrator supplies the same flow of oxygen every minute unless it is not turned off irrespective of whether the patient is breathing the oxygen or not.

Pulse dose: These concentrators are comparatively smart as they are able to detect the breathing pattern of the patient and release oxygen upon detecting inhalation. The oxygen released by pulse dose concentrators varies per minute.

How is oxygen concentrator better than cylinders?

Oxygen concentrators are the best alternatives to oxygen cylinders and liquid medical oxygen, which are comparatively very difficult to store and transport. These concentrators are more portable and thus using them is far more convenient.

While concentrators are more expensive than cylinders, they are largely a one-time investment and are economical.

Unlike cylinders, a concentrator doesn’t require refilling and can keep producing oxygen 24 hours a day using only ambient air and electricity supply. This makes the process hassle free.

Wrapping it up!

The concept of oxygen concentrator is not new but it has gained much popularity during the pandemic. These concentrators have saved millions of lives across the globe by providing people with oxygen.

They are extremely safe and widely recommended by doctors from all corners of the world for all patients with respiratory issues.