What are oxygen concentrators?

Oxygen concentrators are alternate devices to oxygen cylinders – while cylinders contain a finite amount of oxygen supply, a concentrator recycles oxygen from the air and delivers it to the patient. They can be used to manage patient requirements without looking for external sources of oxygen.

How are they helping during covid?

Oxygen concentrators can be used only in moderate cases of COVID-19 when the patient experiences a drop in oxygen levels, where the oxygen requirement is a maximum of 5 liters per minute. Oxygen concentrators are also very useful for patients experiencing post-COVID complications which necessitate oxygen therapy.

What are the different specifications?

1. Most stationary oxygen concentrators weigh less than 27 kg and have wheels so that they are easily movable by the user.

2. They are self-contained devices that supply an economical, continuous stream of oxygen at flow rates up to 10 liters per minute (LPM).

3.Very low flows, down to 0.1 LPM, may be delivered via the built-in flowmeter or with additional accessories.

4. Most concentrators that are appropriate for health facilities can deliver at least 5 LPM and operate on alternating current (AC) electricity, and consume approximately 280–600 watts (W), depending on the model.

5. In general, portable oxygen concentrators have a lower output capacity (3 LPM or less), consume less power than their stationary counterparts (approximately 40–130 W), and are used by individual patients as ambulatory oxygen systems.

6. Many contain batteries capable of operating on direct current (DC). Due to their low flow capacity, they are not suitable for simultaneous use by multiple patients.

7. Concentrators are designed for continuous operation and can produce oxygen 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, for up to 5 years or more.

8. These devices can be used at any level of health facility to provide oxygen therapy, as long as there is a continuous source of reliable power and a system for regular cleaning and maintenance by users and technical personnel alike.

Oxygen Concentrator – how does it work?

We know that atmospheric air has roughly 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Oxygen concentrators are simple devices that do precisely what their name promises – they take in ambient air and increase the oxygen concentration, by filtering out and throwing away nitrogen.
These Oxygen concentrators work the same way in supplying oxygen needed by the body such as oxygen tanks or cylinders, with the use of a cannula, oxygen masks, or nasal tubes. The difference is that, while the cylinders need to be refilled, the Oxygen Concentrators can work 24 x 7.

So, who can use them, and when?

Anyone who finds their oxygen level falling below acceptable levels can use a concentrator and help oneself? Absolutely not.
Speaking to PIB on the appropriate usage of concentrators, Professor and Head of Department Anaesthesia, B. J. Medical College, Pune, Prof. Sanyogita Naik said: Oxygen concentrators can be used only in moderate cases of COVID-19 when the patient experiences a drop in oxygen levels, where the oxygen requirement is a maximum of 5 liters per minute.

The professor added that oxygen concentrators are also very useful for patients experiencing post-COVID complications which necessitate oxygen therapy.