When do you need an Oxygen Concentrator?
Oxygen concentrators
are a device for isolated oxygen therapy and are frequently required for
geriatric patients suffering from lung distress. In the past months, the demand
for oxygen concentrators has increased due to the COVID 19 surge. Here is what
you need to know about oxygen concentrators.
An oxygen concentrator
is a medical device that offers supportive oxygen to patients suffering from
distressed breathing. Patients who are not able to intake adequate oxygen in
sufficient amounts need a supporting device that helps them to breathe in
comfort. The components in an oxygen concentrator include a sieve bed filter,
compressor, oxygen tank, nasal cannula, and pressure valve. The function of an
Oxygen concentrator is no different from an oxygen tank or cylinder. In oxygen
cylinders, the content needs to be refilled while the concentrator on the other
hand can supply oxygen for 24 hours a day. It can supply 5-10 liters of pure
oxygen per minute.
How does the device
work?
The work of the
concentrator is to provide pure oxygen (90-95%) to patients. It filters the
oxygen molecules from the ambient air. The concentrator traps the air,
adjusting pressure. A crystalline sieve bed, Zeolite, acts as a separator and
eliminates the nitrogen from the air mixture. Two separate sieve beds work
together; one separates nitrogen and allows it to return to the atmosphere
while the other sends the concentrated oxygen to the cylinder. This cyclic
method helps in procuring concentrated oxygen. The oxygen moves in a regulated
flow through the pressure valve supplying 5-10 liters and the patient takes in
the oxygen through the oxygen mask nasal cannula.
Who needs an oxygen
concentrator?
Not all patients need
oxygen concentrators. When oxygen saturation dips below 90% to as low as 85%,
one can use an oxygen concentrator. Levels below that need hospital admission.
On hospital admission, patients are switched to cylinders as the oxygen flow is
higher in hospitals. Oxygen concentrators are not given to ICU patients.
Do you know the
different types of oxygen concentrators available?
Oxygen concentrators
come in two different types, continuous flow, and pulse dose.
Continuous flow is a
supply of oxygen in a consistent flow per minute. The oxygen flows regardless
of the intake of the same by patients.
Pulse dose detects the
breathing pattern of patients and releases oxygen intelligently. Therefore the
release of oxygen per minute varies.
What is the difference
between an oxygen cylinder and a concentrator?
For homes, oxygen
concentrators are better alternatives to oxygen cylinders. Though more
expensive, they are a one-time investment. The operational cost is lower than
oxygen cylinders as they do not require refilling. They can produce oxygen
24hours a day by utilizing the ambient air. The only drawback is you do not get
more than 5-10 liters of oxygen per minute and therefore are not the best for
critical patients where a minimum of 40-45 liters is a must.
What are the lookouts
when buying an oxygen concentrator?
Check the flow rate of
the concentrator.
The concentration
should be higher than what the patient requires.
Check the number of
sieves.
Also check its power
consumption, portability, noise level, and warranty.
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