People that suffer from a chronic respiratory condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, or emphysema may have a doctor prescribe for them to begin oxygen therapy using a portable oxygen concentrator. A portable oxygen concentrator is a small, lightweight, and portable device that is used to provide patients with substantially higher levels of oxygen concentration than is available in ambient air. A portable oxygen concentrator works just like a home oxygen concentrator, it is just smaller in size and mobile.
Have you ever wondered how a portable oxygen concentrator works? Over the past 15 years, these small lightweight oxygen providing devices have replaced the once cumbersome and limiting task of relying upon home oxygen concentrators for the distribution of oxygen for patients who are reliant on supplemental oxygen.
Today, these portable oxygen concentrators weigh less than five pounds and can easily be brought onto commercial flights, as well as opened a whole new world of opportunities for patients who suffer from chronic respiratory diseases. While these lifesaving devices appear technical, an oxygen concentrator is actually a very simple device. Oxygen Always breaks down just how a portable oxygen concentrator works.
How Portable Oxygen Concentrators Work:
Considering that the air in an oxygen concentrator is comprised of 77% nitrogen and 20% oxygen, portable oxygen concentrators work on the principle of ‘rapid pressure swing adsorption’ of atmospheric nitrogen onto specific minerals that attract the nitrogen in the air and vent it, purifying the air. This process separates the nitrogen from regular air and pumps the remaining mixture of gas to the patient. At this point, the mixture is primarily oxygen and the rest is a small amount of carbon dioxide and argon.
There are two cylinders in the design of the portable oxygen concentrator that are both filled with ‘zeolite pellets’. Ambient air is pumped into the first cylinder where the first process of separating the nitrogen takes place. The first chamber will then pump its content into the second cylinder for an even further refinement.
The hose that delivers the oxygen concentrated air from the second cylinder is kept steady by a pressure reducing valve. Other components that make up the portable oxygen concentrator are the air compressor, which forces more air into the storage tank that increases air pressure and allows the patients to set a desired air flow. There is an air filter that is designed to prevent harmful debris, dirt, and contaminants from entering the user’s lungs. Finally, there is the control board that will allow the patient to modify settings such as the continuous flow, pulse dose, or power of the device.
Considering how far oxygen concentrators have come in the past 15 years, the next decade promises to be an exciting period for the field of oxygen therapy and its benefits for patients. Oxygen Always provides the very best oxygen therapy systems to suit every patient’s needs, and will continue to develop and adapt to new systems as they improve in functionality.
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