Oxygen Concentrator
An oxygen concentrator or oxygen generator is a medical device that supports people to provide oxygen therapy to patients requiring medical oxygen due to low oxygen levels in the blood. In simple words, an Oxygen Concentrator runs on electricity; it takes in room air which removes Nitrogen from it and provides up to 95% pure Oxygen. It is thus a very cost-efficient source of oxygen and it is more safe and convenient as compared to an oxygen cylinder/tank.
Oxygen generator are the latest technology for oxygen therapy users who desire a lightweight, small, and affordable portable oxygen solution in a compact and mobile unit. They are essential for people with respiratory problems like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Asthma, Heart Failure, Cystic Fibrosis, Pneumonia, Sleep Apnea, and Chronic Lung Diseases. The benefits of concentrators are that they are less expensive and don’t require filling like cylinders.
An oxygen cylinder is a device filled with high-pressure oxygen and it is portable and is useful when there is no power back-up and also in certain medical conditions that require high flow oxygen. Cylinders are available in various capacities, but they require refilling.
- No side effects
- Balanced compositions
How does oxygen concentrator work?
Normal air contains 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, and 1% other gases that enter the oxygen concentrator.
This air passes through the compressor which compresses the air and passes it in a continuous stream.
The compressed air moves to the sieve bed filters that contain a material called zeolite that adsorbs all the nitrogen from the air, changing the concentration of the air to 95% oxygen and 5% other gases.
Pure oxygen is then passed to the patient and the flow is controlled by a flowmeter.
Who needs Oxygen Therapy?
Patients suffering from the following ailments are generally advised medical oxygen at home.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, underdeveloped lungs in newborns.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Heart failure.
- Sleep apnea.
- Cancer/Dialysis.
- Lung disease.
Few things need to consider while buying an Oxygen Concentrator machine –
Price of an Oxygen Concentrator –
The price of a stationary electric oxygen machine generally varies from 38000 to 55000 depending upon the brand and the model you chose. While for a portable Oxygen concentrator machine you will need to spend around 1,70,000 to 2,00,000.
Ease to use and operational costs –
The Oxygen Concentrator machine will use less power and also produce less noise. The functionality should be easy so that it can be easily operated by a non-medical person at home.
Size and weight of the Oxygen Concentrator machine-
The Oxygen Concentrator machine needs to be sleek and compact and not heavy like traditional oxygen generator machines.
Cost of maintenance and after-sales service –
The warranty offered by the company and other costs such as the cost of spares and filter change.