The healthcare infrastructure of India as well as other countries has been recently overwhelmed by the Covid-19 outbreak. The pandemic has exposed healthcare professionals to novel challenges. It had also mandated the use of oxygen therapy to revive critical patients, especially during the second wave of Covid-19.
During this period, the country witnessed an extraordinary surge in the demand for medical oxygen. Cylinders were hard to get and therefore, people resorted to oxygen concentrators to provide relief to ailing patients at home. An oxygen concentrator is a sophisticated medical equipment. The device has been specially designed to offer supplemental oxygen to people suffering from breathing issues.
The oxygen concentrator consists of a compressor, an oxygen tank, a pressure valve, sieve bed filter and an oxygen mask. It delivers oxygen to patients through the mask and does not require constant refilling. It maintains a steady supply of pure oxygen, around 5 to 10 litres per minute (LPM).
What is the mechanism for operating an oxygen concentrator?
To provide 90% to 95% pure oxygen, the oxygen concentrator constantly filters oxygen molecules from the ambient air. With the help of the compressor, it sucks ambient air. The pressure is also adjusted by the compressor. The sieve bed, on the other hand, helps to separate nitrogen from air. It is made of Zeolite, a crystalline material that facilitates nitrogen separation.
The oxygen concentrator has two sieve beds. One releases the oxygen into the cylinder and the other helps to discharge the separated nitrogen. It creates a constant loop for obtaining and releasing oxygen and nitrogen. Finally, the pressure valve regulates the flow of oxygen.
Different Types of Oxygen Concentrators
Two types of oxygen concentrators are available in the market. Continuous Flow and Pulse Dose concentrators. If you want to get oxygen concentrator on rent, get in touch with specialised medical equipment suppliers.
As the name suggests, Continuous Flow Oxygen Concentrators maintain a steady supply of oxygen to the patient. It consistently delivers the same amount of oxygen per minute to the patient until it is turned off. The oxygen flow is maintained even if the patient is not breathing the oxygen.
The Pulse Dose Oxygen Concentrator is a smarter alternative to the previous one. It can detect breathing patterns of patients and releases oxygen only when the patient is inhaling. The amount of oxygen released by these concentrators also varies.
Use of Oxygen Concentrators
People suffering from breathing difficulties are generally advised hospital care. But, to provide relief in emergency situations, oxygen concentrators are extremely beneficial. Pulmonologists, therefore, advice mild to moderately ill patients with oxygen saturation levels of 90% to 94% to use oxygen concentrators. In some cases, when the saturation level drops to 85%, oxygen concentrators can be used as an emergency treatment.
However, people with low saturation levels need to be shifted to a hospital at the earliest. It is important for them to get a steady supply of oxygen from cylinders that offer higher oxygen flow.
Availing oxygen cylinders and liquid medical oxygen can be extremely difficult for ordinary people. It is also difficult to store and transport them. Oxygen concentrators have emerged as an useful alternative that offers a portable solution. Its operational costs are also low and it can be availed for a low investment amount. In some cases, the equipment can also be rented.
It is also easy to use and can supply oxygen 24 hours a day without the need for a refill. It only requires a steady electricity supply and access to ambient air for generating pure oxygen. As a result, during the pandemic, people continued to purchase oxygen concentrators. Oxygen concentrator price is also quite affordable and it can range between Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000 for 5LPM concentrators. The cost of 10 LPM oxygen concentrators however, can go up to Rs. 1.3 lakh to Rs. 1.5 lakh.
Things to Know Before Purchasing Oxygen Concentrators
An oxygen concentrator is a specialised medical equipment. If you are thinking of purchasing one for personal use, consult a doctor. It is extremely important to know about the amount of oxygen required by a patient. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind the following points before making buying an oxygen concentrator.
Oxygen Flow: The oxygen flow rate must be checked. It is measured in litres per minute or LPM and indicates the rate at which oxygen travels to the patient. Therefore, it is wise to choose oxygen concentrators that have a capacity more than your requirement. If the doctor suggests a requirement of 3.5 LPM, select a 5 LPM concentrator.
Number of sieves and filters: The output of an oxygen concentrator depends on the number of sieves or filters it has. In order to produce 90% to 95% pure oxygen, it is necessary to have more filters.
Other factors: To minimise operational cost, check its power consumption rate. Low noise levels, lighter weights and an extensive manufacturer’s warranty are other factors that you must consider.
India has recently witnessed a massive surge in Covid-19 cases. To provide adequate amounts of oxygen to patients, it is advisable to keep an oxygen concentrator handy.
