An oxygen concentrator is an ideal choice if your doctor has prescribed oxygen therapy at home. Sometimes, due to certain health conditions, the level of oxygen in your blood might fall below the normal level. That is when you will require supplemental oxygen or oxygen therapy, hence an oxygen concentrator.

Well, you need to be aware of oxygen concentrators, their uses, types, and safety measures. This article will provide you with all details about the device.

An oxygen concentrator machine is a medical device that delivers supplemental oxygen to you if you have a breathing problem. This device comes with a compressor, oxygen tank, nasal cannula, pressure valve, and a bed filter. Like an oxygen tank, an oxygen concentrator supplies Oxygen to your body through a nasal cannula or a face mask. It uses electrical pumps to concentrate continuous oxygen supply to your body. Oxygen concentrators might be large and stationary or come in small portable sizes.

However, your concentrator machine doesn’t require refilling and provides an oxygen supply of about 5 to 10 litres per minute for almost 24 hours. You should not purchase an Oxygen concentrator unless your doctor has prescribed it.

1. Stationary Oxygen Concentrator

This type of oxygen concentrator provides an uninterrupted oxygen supply with an Oxygen flow from 0.5 to 10-15 litres per minute. They weigh about 10kgs and come with several built-in settings that allow you to roll or lift the device. These days, there are advanced stationary concentrators that plugin easily into the main electricity supply. In case you have a power cut, a backup compressed cylinder can be used. However, stationary oxygen concentrators give you higher oxygen output and come at a lower price.

2. Portable Oxygen Concentrator

A portable oxygen concentrator is ideal if you require a lightweight and compact oxygen concentrator. It comes with the latest technology and varies in weight and size. There are various Oxygen flow settings as well that come with the device. Also, a portable oxygen cylinder offers higher flexibility with power sources, and you can recharge their batteries.

Here are the ways an oxygen concentrator works:

• An oxygen concentrator is a device that pulls the air around you and filters out toxic gases and nitrogen.
• You have to attach a nasal cannula from the machine to your face.
• This nasal cannula will supply you with pure oxygen via two open prongs placed below your nose and inside your nostrils.
• If you require a higher concentration or oxygen flow, you can also use a face mask.
• When using at home, you need to attach a humidifier. This will prevent drying out your nostrils as you fill it with distilled water. This moisturises the oxygen you breathe in and prevents your nose from drying.
• Additionally, you can lengthen the nasal cannula attached to the concentrator up to fifty feet with a hose.

Now that you know how this device works, knowing how to clean it to avoid any infection is also important.

Doctors will advise you to regularly clean the oxygen concentrator to avoid any infection or irritation internally. Here are the ways to clean the device:

• Nasal Cannula/Face Mask: You must regularly wash the nasal cannula or the tube that you attach with the device. Wash it properly with soap and water and disinfect it with an alcohol wiper. Let it dry completely and ensure water doesn't get inside the tube. In case you find that the tube has been damaged, immediately replace it.
• Concentrator Filter: Doctors advise cleaning the concentrator bottle once every month. Use lukewarm water and dish soap to clean the same. Scrub it and rinse it thoroughly to ensure no soap is left behind. Before putting it back into your concentrator, ensure to dry it out on a towel.
• Humidifier Vessel: If you are using a humidifier bottle to moisten the oxygen flow, be sure to clean the same thrice a week. Use mild water and dish soap and rinse it carefully with lukewarm water. To ensure the removal of bacteria, clean it with vinegar and water. Dry the bottle completely before re-using the same.

Apart from cleaning your device, it is necessary to maintain safety measures to ensure safety. Let us know what measures you should take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

Some safety measures you must consider while using oxygen concentrators are:

• Avoid using oxygen concentrators near any open flame or while smoking. Oxygen is highly combustible and might catch fire.
• Never block any of the vents of the oxygen concentrator as the device might stop working then.
• Please keep it in an open space to ensure that your device doesn't break or overheat.
• Read the instruction manual thoroughly before using the device. If you hear any alarming sound, check whether you are getting the right proportion of Oxygen.
• Never purchase an oxygen cylinder without your doctor's prescription.
• Do not make any manual changes unless you are completely aware of the device and the working.

Before purchasing an oxygen concentrator, always consult your doctor. This will help you know the amount of Oxygen required per litre. However, before purchasing one, here are the things to consider:

• One of the most necessary things to remember while buying an oxygen concentrator is checking the flow rate system. This defines the rate at which Oxygen can flow from the concentrator to you and is measured in LPM or litres per minute.
• Ensure that the capacity of your concentrator is higher than you require. This means that if you require a 4 LPM oxygen concentrator, you must purchase 5.5 LPM.
• Check with your manufacturer the power consumption, noise levels, warranty and portability of your oxygen concentrator before purchasing it.
• Do not forget to check the device's sieves and filters, as the quality of Oxygen output depends on the number of filters. Ensure that the Oxygen supplied by the concentrator is around 90% pure.

Depending on the hours, warranty and condition of an oxygen concentrator, customers can purchase an oxygen concentrator that is used. Ensure that you purchase second-hand units from a renowned seller. A portable oxygen concentrator might cost approximately Rs. 17,000/- to Rs. 2,800,000/- per unit. However, you can also rent an oxygen concentrator that will cost you less. It might cost you around Rs. 2800/- to Rs. 16,000/- per day.

So, now you know about oxygen concentrators and how they work. Well, in case you find any issues with the oxygen concentrator machine, you should immediately contact the manufacturer and replace it. Before purchasing one, you should never forget to go through the guidelines and learn how to use it efficiently.