How Oxygen Concentrators Work: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Medical Equipment for Home Oxygen Therapy

Santhosh Mamidi (City Head, Hyderabad)

A concentrator for oxygen produces oxygen from ambient air. An oxygen concentrator concentrates the oxygen from an air source and creates an oxygenated gas stream by selectively removing nitrogen. 

How Does an Oxygen Concentrator Work?

Medical equipment called oxygen concentrators helps persons whose blood oxygen levels are low. They are powered by a battery or by putting the device into an electrical outlet. A battery must be charged by plugging it into an electrical outlet if one is utilized. Most concentrators also have an adaptor, so you can use it while driving.

Air is taken in, cleaned, and distributed using an oxygen concentrator. Air comprises 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen before entering the concentrator. When the air is sent through an oxygen concentrator, it is converted to 90 to 95 percent pure oxygen and 5 to 10 percent nitrogen. Since it is challenging to obtain that amount of oxygen without the aid of medical equipment, the nitrogen is separated to give the patient the greatest dose of oxygen possible.

The 5-Step Concentrator Process:

1. Takes air from the room.
2. Compresses the oxygen.
3. Takes out nitrogen from the air.
4. Adjusts the way the air is delivered.
5. Delivers the purified air.

For usage at home, oxygen concentrators are available for purchase or rental.

Consider the purity index carefully before selecting the OC. If a home oxygen concentrator is needed, it must be trustworthy and of high quality.

Home oxygen concentrators should be monitored or run by qualified medical personnel.

Portable oxygen concentrators are available for rent or purchase and can have or lack a battery.

Why is a thorough oxygen concentrator selection necessary?

While branded medical-grade oxygen concentrators were out of stock during COVID, numerous Chinese companies marketed industrial-grade OC in India.

The problem with industrial grade OC is that it only produces 90% pure oxygen at flow rates of 1 liter per minute and lowers to 30% purity at 5 liters per minute, roughly the point at which a patient who needs pure oxygen will die.

To preserve your patient, please always verify the oxygen purity of any OC at peak flow. You might not experience life-threatening complications with good-grade OC. Also, for the best oxygen purity, maintain it in an open area with good ventilation.

Who should use Oxygen Concentrator at Home?

Those with respiratory disorders like COPD, COVID-19, emphysema, sleep apnea, and others can benefit from supplemental oxygen therapy to help them obtain enough oxygen to work and stay healthy. Hypoxemia, or low blood oxygen levels, can kill you and harm your organs. Oxygen therapy may be required permanently or only sometimes.

Note: Medical gadgets like oxygen concentrators can only be purchased and used with a prescription. It would be best not to use an oxygen concentrator at home unless your doctor prescribes it. Without first seeing a doctor, giving yourself oxygen could be more harmful than helpful.