Tuesday, November 22, 2011

What Is An Oxygen Concentrator ?

Lifechoice Oxygen Concentrator.  One of the smaller devices available.

This is highly portable.               http://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com

   An oxygen concentrator is a device which is able to concentrate and provide oxygen to a patient at anywhere from slightly higher percentages of oxygen than ambient (room) air, to many more times a higher percentage of oxygen than is found there.  This can be beneficial for some patients because without it, they must purchase, have delivered, and maintain oxygen tanks.

 Machines can be set to provide the physician ordered amounts of:

 nasal cannula.
  • 0 liters per minute: 21% (Room Air)
  • 1 liters per minute: 25%
  • 2 liters per minute: 29%
  • 3 liters per minute: 33%
  • 4 liters per minute: 37%
  • 5 liters per minute: 41%
  • 6 liters per minute: 45%

Keep in mind that a physician order needs to be obtained before any oxygen therapy is undertaken because oxygen removes respiratory incentive, and because people will decrease their respiratory rate naturally in physiological response to a higher oxygen provision.  Yes, unbridled and unregulated oxygen can be potentially dangerous.

     However, if you run a clinic, or take care of those with respiratory problems, or are evacuating those with a respiratory issue, one of these and an inverter could be invaluable. This is also not as dangerous as carrying or transporting oxygen tanks.  These are also useful as an adjunct to CPAP units.  The original units were quite large and designed for home or hospital use, but the newer portable units can be useful even during evacuations.


  I will therefore list some, as a starting point.

Although it is probably best to purchase a new device which makes use of all the new warranties, it is possible to buy a used, cleaned and reconditioned device for as little as $200.

    http://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/used-oxygen-concentrators

Here are some devices and different sources:




Specifications for the Used Respironics M5 Home Concentrators #101811C:

  • Alert / Alarm:
    Low System Pressure, High System Pressure, Power Failure, Low Oxygen Level (OPI Model Available), No Oxygen Flow
  • Electrical:
    120 VAC (+/- 10%), 60 Hz
  • Features:
    Maintenance free SMCT "sure cycle" valve, designed specifically for the Millennium
    Optional Oxygen Percentage Indicator(OPI?) ultrasonically measures the oxygen output as a purity indication Protective tubing neatly guards the electronic wires and tubing - double fault against electric shock
    Integrated Sieve canister reduces tubing connections to enhance bed life
    Twin Head Compressor:(higher stroke for more airflow through sieve beds)
    Highly durable casters designed to withstand rigorous usage
  • Flow Rate:
    1- 5 LPM in 1 liter increments
  • Operating ranges, Intended for Use:
    Temperature: 55 F to 90 F (12 C to 32 C)
    Humidity: Up to 95% Non-Condensing
  • Outlet Pressure:
    10 - 30 PSIG
  • Oxygen Concentration:
    92% +/- 4% At 5LPM | 94% +/- 2% At 4LPM | 92% +/- 4% At 3LPM
  • Storage Ranges, Intended for Storage:
    Temperature: -30 F to 160 F (-34 C to 71 C)
    Humidity: Up to 95%, non-condensing
  • Warranty:
    90 Day Parts and Labor Warranty
  • Weight:
    48

  Please note that the larger more portable devices are more expensive.
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This is from:      http://www.oxygenconcentratoro2.com


Inogen One G2

Portable Oxygen Concentrator




Inogen One G2 Machine Includes:

  • Inogen One G2 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
  • 24 Cell Battery (8 Hour Battery Life)
  • Custom Carrying Case
  • Shoulder Strap
  • Handle Strap
  • Travel Cart With Telescopic Handle
  • AC Power Supply (Wall Outlet)
  • DC Power Supply (Car Outlet)
  • Tubing
  • Filters
  • 3 Year Warranty (Backed Up By Our 3 Year Free Loaner Program)


Call 1-888-846-8769 For Price

Price :   $SEE EMAIL

The New Smaller Lighter Better Inogen One G2 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
The Inogen One G2 is the newest addition to the Inogen family of portable oxygen machines. Inogen has been a pioneer when it comes to travel oxygen machines.  The new improved Inogen One G2 is half the size of the original Inogen One.  Traveling around with the G2 is simple, throw on the shoulder strap to carry it over your shoulder, carry it like a briefcase with the handle strap, or roll it around on the traveling cart. The battery just slips into the bottom and you are good to go! There are two batteries for the Inogen One G2, 12 Cell (4 Hours), and 24 Cell (8 Hours). 

Travel With Ease With The Brand New Inogen One G2!
Inogen One G2 is FAA approved for commercial airline travel. Whether you are traveling by train, plane, automobile, or even by boat, the G2 portable oxygen machine will be there to give you uninterrupted oxygen flow. There are three different power sources for the Inogen, AC Power Supply when around a wall outlet, DC Power Supply when in a car, or just run the oxygen concentrator of the batteries. Choose to throw the Inogen over your shoulder or put it on the travel cart while traveling through an airport or train station.

Small Enough To Fit In The Palm Of Your Hand
Inogen G2

The Inogen One G2 is so small a patient can carry it in the palm of their hand! There is no need for the heavy, bulky, and awkward to carry tanks. With the new Inogen One G2 patients receive the freedom that they want and need!






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Other sources:

http://www.shop.altraservice.com


http://www.oxygenconcentratoro2.com/


Be sure to check the references of any supplier, and ask your insurance company for a recommendation if applicable.
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 Disclaimer:    IMPORTANT
This post is for educational and informational use only.
Not all patients on oxygen can use or benefit from a portable oxygen concentrator.
I do not endorse any particular supplier or unit.  Your physician and your own research in your area are the best ways to locate the best unit and deal for you in your area.
Oxygen is an incendiary hazard.   Patients who smoke while using oxygen risk not only killing themselves in fire, but destroying their homes and killing their loved ones also.
Do not use oxygen supplementation from any source without the order and guidance of a licensed physician.


7 comments:

Meghu said...

Oxygen atomic number is given as 8 number.Oxygen is used for anesthesia. Oxygen is most important element to live For more details refer http://www.whatisall.com/science/what-is-oxygen.html

JaneofVirginia said...

Meghu, I am not sure why you posted. Certainly, as a college professor I know that oxygen has the atomic number of 8. Oxygen is an important element,despite the fact that ambient air only contains 20.8% di-oxygen. However, this is an informational piece on oxygen concentrators. These particular concentrators are for home use and would not be used for a patient receiving anesthesia. The "oxygen bar" which the article you have brought us discusses, is felt to be unsafe and unwise for human use. Oxygen, when provided without physician order and for an undocumented use, removes respiratory incentive and can therefore be dangerous. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to weigh in against oxygen bars.

Anonymous said...

no one knows this oxygen concentrator value until they have breathing problems like me..portable oxygen concentrators

Unknown said...

These are medical equipment that aid in supplying oxygen to people with low oxygen levels in their blood. The concentrators are usually obtained upon prescription by a medical doctor. This means that you can’t buy them over the counter. The concentrators are usually made up of different parts. The main parts are: compressor, circuit boards, and sieve bed filter. The concentrators are powered by a battery or by plugging them into an electric outlet. Concentrators are usually costly; therefore, you need to be cautious when buying one. To ensure that you are buying the right quality compressor, you should do ample research to identify a reputable store to buy from. If possible, it’s recommended that you buy them from a hospital. This is because it’s usually rare to buy a poor quality compressor from a hospital.
Oxygen concentrators

JaneofVirginia said...

Amna,
Certainly in most places, an oxygen concentrator is obtained using a prescription, just as plain oxygen is. It is never appropriate for someone to decide to simply place another on oxygen, and this would be quite impossible in the US due to FDA laws.
My purpose for mentioning the oxygen concentrator is for those who have a family member who is already receiving oxygen therapy via tank. Many of these patients purchase tanks as ordered by their physicians, but they and their families are completely unaware of the availability of oxygen concentrators. In a disaster or an emergency, which is the focus of this blog, these individuals could become much sicker or could conceivably die as a result of running out of tanked oxygen. My post is designed to stimulate a discussion between the patient or the patient and his family, with the physician. In the US, many physicians are so overloaded that they may not stimulate this conversation themselves. The family may need to prompt a discussion of a disaster plan for the oxygen dependent family member. Some patients can benefit from having an oxygen concentrator and others cannot. Following this discussion with a physician, and an order for an oxygen concentrator being provided, it should be covered by insurance.
In another nation such a device is also likely to be a prescription item. Whether it is or is not, a physician should be providing guidance as to its necessity. It will be up to the family to locate alternatives, and then to have them as such, approved.
Hospitals are often not an ideal place to buy durable medical goods. They often purchase only one type of something, and have done so from the most expensive sources, and then they add a mark up themselves. Many patients who use oxygen have been managed by their physician without a hospitalization.

JaneofVirginia said...

Thank you, Apu. Although I cannot recommend the company Apu has linked to with his name, it is a company which provides respiratory supplies, and so for informational purposes, I have let the information stand. Readers should make sure that they check out any company before purchasing respiratory or any other type of medical equipment.

Unknown said...

Thank you for this great tutorial! Thought I might share this website I came accross which I found very useful: http://www.medicalexpo.com/medical-manufacturer/oxygen-concentrator-2097.html