WHAT IS OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR AND HOW IT WORKS
In simple words an Oxygen
Concentrator is a medical device which works on electricity, takes in room air,
removes Nitrogen from it and provides up to 95% pure Oxygen.
It
is used for delivering oxygen to individuals with breathing-related disorders.
Individuals whose
oxygen concentration in their blood is lower than 94% it could be a sign of respiratory
distress.
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases and oxygen beds in short supply the
device could help reducing the burden on the system.
Unlike medical oxygen sourced from industrial units, which are supplied via
cylinders, concentrators are devices that can be operated at home.
Importance of Oxygen
Oxygen is
necessary for all living being for respiration. Nobody can survive without
oxygen. All metabolic processes need O2 for production of energy in animal
cells.
Source of Oxygen
Source of O2 is our atmosphere
Percentage
of Gases in atmosphere
The composition of
air (78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and 1% other gases like Carbon Dioxide, Argon,
etc.) clearly shows that air is mainly comprised of two gases: Nitrogen and
Oxygen [together 99%].
How
oxygen is produced naturally
We get Oxygen from
green plants which take CO2, Sunlight, Water and perform Photosynthesis with
the help of a pigment called Chlorophyll present in their green leaves.
Different Types of Oxygen used by human being
Natural or Atmospheric Oxygen
Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO)
Industrial oxygen
Welding Oxygen
Natural or Atmospheric Oxygen
It is present everywhere free of cost
as gift of nature produced by green plants.
Liquid Medical Oxygen
(LMO)
Medical oxygen cylinders
contain a high purity of oxygen.
Medical
oxygen is Certified to contain above a certain percentage of oxygen, and below
a certain percentage of impurities. The tanks are certified to be cleaned to a
certain standard too.
Industrial Oxygen
Industrial Oxygen
is generally used where high temperature for melting is needed like Steel,
Copper etc.
Welding Oxygen
Welding
oxygen is sold without that certification, and put into tanks that are not
guaranteed to be that clean.
Since welding oxygen regulators are kept in garages
and shops, not hospitals and clinics, there could easily be a lot of
contamination in the regulator and hoses that could be dangerous causing
further infections.
Principle
If
Nitrogen is removed from air, the primary gas remaining would be Oxygen with
purity of about 90-95%.
An Oxygen Concentrator uses this idea with the basic principle of Pressure
Swing Adsorption (PSA) to deliver 90-95% pure oxygen.
Mechanism
Room
air is drawn in the machine through compressor. There are 2 molecular
sieves in the machine which come into action alternately. Molecular Sieve Beds
trap and remove Nitrogen from the air that is drawn in the machine. Switch
valve keeps on switching the Air input from one sieve bed to other for
continuous flow of Oxygen. Nitrogen is vented out from each sieve bed once
the bed gets saturated. Oxygen output is controlled through a
flowmeter and delivered to patient through an Oxygen delivery system like Nasal
Cannula or mask.
Difference
between Oxygen Cylinders and Oxygen
Concentrators
Oxygen Cylinders have a finite amount of oxygen compressed within them
and inhaled by the user until it runs out.
While Oxygen Concentrators continuously
filter and generate medical grade oxygen without any break.
Oxygen Concentrators
are portable and unlike heavy like Oxygen Cylinders.
Unlike cylinders that require refilling, concentrators only need a power source
to draw in ambient room air.
Difference
between LMO (Liquid Medical Oxygen) and Concentrated Oxygen
Yet it is not as pure as LMO (99%), it
is good enough for mild and moderate Covid-19 patients with oxygen
saturation levels of 85% or above. It is however not advisable for ICU
patients.
OC need not cooling facilities like LMO that needs to be stored and transported
in cryogenic tankers need special temperature.
OC can supply only 5-10 liters of oxygen
per minute but critical patients may need 40-50 liters per minute and are not
best suited for them. OC are best suited moderately ill patients only.
Size
Oxygen concentrators today are compact,
small, quiet and lightweight.
8.
Cost and maintenance
While
at Rs 30,000-90,000 concentrators are more expensive than cylinders (Rs
8,000-20,000).
it’s a one-time investment.
Apart
from electricity and routine maintenance, there’s little by way of operational
cost, unlike cylinders that involve refilling costs and transportation.
Industry
experts say the demand of oxygen concentrators has gone up from 40,000 annually
to 30,000-40,000 a month
Types
Today, you can choose from at-home stationary concentrators and portable oxygen concentrators (POCs)
Acute
Conditions Requiring an Oxygen Concentrator
A
few examples of acute conditions where you would need an oxygen concentrator
are:
Asthma: This condition is where your
airways become inflamed and begin producing a lot of mucus, which makes it
harder to breathe.
Pneumonia: Pneumonia is an infection where you
develop inflammation in either one or both of your lungs.
Respiratory
distress syndrome (RDS): RDS
is a breathing disorder mostly affecting newborns. RDS don’t create enough
surfactant (a lung coating liquid), causing their lungs to collapse and making
them work harder to breathe.
Bronchopulmonary
dysplasia (BPD): Newborns
suffering from RDS also have a higher risk of developing BPD. This is a severe
lung condition requiring long-term breathing support.
Chronic
Diseases that Require Oxygen Therapy
Some
chronic conditions requiring long-term oxygen concentrator uses are:
Chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): COPD
affects around 16 million people but an oxygen
concentrator can be an effective treatment.
Cystic
fibrosis: It’s
a rare condition that affects the body’s cells responsible for producing mucus,
sweat, and digestive juices.
Sleep
Apnea: Sleep apnea is a
sleeping disorder that can be serious and cause the individual’s breathing to
sporadically stop and start during their sleep.
