OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR ....HOW IT WORKS

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.