What are Oxygen Concentrators, and how to use them?

With the present situation of India, you must have heard, “India needs oxygen and people are dying, and nobody’s concerned about that,” which later got the attention of the supreme court and asked to be delivered oxygen cylinders.

Till then, they were asked to use special machines. If anybody in your contact ever needed oxygen or oxygen therapy, then probably you would’ve heard about a familiar word, oxygen concentrator. These are essential devices manufactured to separate nitrogen from the collected mixture of oxygen & nitrogen and filter it adequately enough to provide the human body with an oxygen rich gas stream to help them breathe air safely.

Industrial vs. Standard units of oxygen concentrator

While the use of oxygen concentrators is confined to help patients breathe safely, they’re also used in various other things. Due to the vast oxygen emergency going on in the country, doctors can’t use them to treat the patients. 

Industrial oxygen concentrators are used for higher concentrated functions which medical ones can’t handle. They are not supervised by the FDA, indicating they are not made for medical usage. The difference lies in the way the concentrated oxygen is pumped. Industrial oxygen concentrators use variously distinguished chemicals to produce oxygen. At the same time, medical ones produce concentrated oxygen without the help of any chemical as it is considered safe for the use of patients.

How to choose

While looking for an oxygen concentrator has become pretty confusing due to the various types of Concentrators available. We’ve spotted some most common and needed features which will help you distinguish the ideal one for your needs.

• Flow Rate

It indicates the rate of flow of oxygen at which it can travel from the machine to the patient’s body. Every person needs a specific flow rate, which a doctor typically advises. Therefore, it is recommended to discuss any forehand details before purchasing the concentrator. Every concentrator has a different flow rate; some might have a higher flow than the other, and vice versa.

• Portability

It is the most important yet common feature one needs to look at before buying a Concentrator. While the flow rate also determines the need for portability, a higher flow rate means heavier machines that will work on more energy, and to reduce the size, you need to sacrifice the flow rate. You choose according to your significant need and how remote you’re.

• Oxygen concentration

After the oxygen is being filtered and compressed, the specific percentage of oxygen delivered is termed oxygen concentration. The majority of products offer a typical percentage of 87 to 99 percent, which differs between oxygen concentrators. The heavy machines and the higher flow rate needed a higher percentage of concentrations. It would be best if you looked out for it as not many patients need a higher concentration percentage.

These features are one of the most important while choosing an oxygen concentrator, depending on your need.

How to set up an oxygen concentrator

There are several points one needs to keep in mind while setting up an oxygen concentrator. 

• Firstly, place the oxygen concentrator 1-2 feet away from the wall and patient as well. It is necessary because the machine needs to circulate air with proper space. They also tend to get hot upon use, which might trouble the patience or any furniture nearby.
• The humidification bottle needs to be joined if asked by the doctor. Make sure the oxygen flow rate is higher than 2-3 LPM. Then fit the cap on your humidification bottle into the outlet of the concentrator. Slowly twist the bottle and check if it’s safe to use.
• Join the oxygen tube to the humidification bottle.
• Ensure the concentrator is turned on at least 15-20 minutes earlier, as it takes time to maintain the correct concentration. There’s also an air inlet filter which helps with the cleaning of the air. Ensure it’s placed inside before the machine is turned, and you can clean it once in a while.
• Once the machine is turned on, you will hear a loud voice of the year being processed. Don’t forget to check the indicators.
• Locate the liter knob on the machine and set it according to the need of oxygen per min. Remember, too much oxygen can lead to lung toxicity.
• Ensure there is no bend in the tube. If you’re using a nasal cannula, adjust your nostrils to get higher concentration and better breathing.

Follow these steps, and here your oxygen concentrator will be ready to use and safe.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are for informational purposes only based on industry reports and related news stories. PropertyPistol does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information and shall not be held responsible for any action taken based on the published information.