What to consider when choosing an oxygen concentrator?
What to consider when choosing an oxygen concentrator?
What to consider when choosing an oxygen concentrator?
Oxygen concentrators are medical devices designed for oxygen therapy, which provide the body with concentrated amounts of oxygen, which some people, due to their diseases, mainly related to the circulatory system, upper respiratory tract or asthma, are unable to provide the body. In the long run, such condition is life threatening - then an oxygen concentrator can be the rescue.
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How does an oxygen concentrator work?
An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that simply supplies the patient with oxygen. How exactly does this happen? The concentrator takes air from the environment, which, as we know, includes oxygen (21%), nitrogen (78%) and traces of other gases (about 1%). Then the concentrator absorbs nitrogen, thanks to which the patient's body receives oxygen in a concentration exceeding 90%. (then we are talking about medical oxygen). The equipment additionally filters, cleans and - if it is equipped with a special container - moisturizes the supplied gas. Oxygen is administered to the patient through special drains with a mask - they are popularly called "mustaches" for oxygen administration. The device can work in continuous mode up to 24 hours a day, delivering a specific volume of oxygen per minute. The concentrators we offer generate an oxygen flow ranging from 1 l to as much as 8 liters in the case of oxygen concentrators for professional use.
How long should you use oxygen therapy?
Each decision to use an oxygen concentrator, i.e. to start oxygen therapy, should be consulted with a doctor. Only a doctor will be able to answer the basic question - what oxygen concentration will be ideal for us and what flow should our device provide - by asking ourselves these questions, we will be sure that we will buy a device tailored to our needs.
What to look for when choosing an oxygen concentrator?
A wide group of people who deal with the current pandemic situation put the price in the first place because it is a fact that professional oxygen concentrators that are medical devices are not the cheapest devices, but following this criterion when choosing this type of equipment is completely wrong and even dangerous. There are a lot of products on the Internet that are cheap, but at a low price there is equipment that will not concentrate oxygen to the desired degree, and thus may give us a false sense of security and mislead us. So what is important?
Primarily:
- the degree of oxygen concentration capacity (colloquially known as concentration);
- volume;
- power consumption;
- weight;
- purpose of the concentrator - will a portable concentrator be more useful or maybe a stationary one
The degree of oxygen concentration
This is the most important factor that you need to pay attention to. In fact, the higher the oxygen concentration the better. Approaching the topic in advance, we recommend that you reject concentrators that offer an oxygen concentration level of 50-60%. Despite the attractive price, they will not improve the life of a sick person. There are concentrators available on the market that not only concentrate oxygen but also clean and heat the given mixture. The optimal solution will be to choose an oxygen concentration device at the level of 90-96%.
Volume
Generally, it is a noisy device. Most of the devices available on the market are loud, usually above 40 dB. This is a parameter that must be taken into account, in particular, as most of the working time of such a concentrator, depending on the patient's disease, falls on night hours. So it is reassuring that the user will gradually get used to the noise specific to this device and will not notice it after a while.
Power consumption
Oxygen concentrators consume quite a lot of electricity, the more so that in most cases they are designed for continuous operation. Our electricity bill may therefore increase annually. This is the reason why it is worth investing in a modern oxygen concentrator, for which we may pay a little more, but which in the long run will allow us to save on electricity consumption.
Weight
It is basically a parameter that relates more to portable devices, because if it is to be taken on a trip, it should be as light as possible because it will definitely make it easier for us to move around with it. Then the ideal one weighing a maximum of 5 kilograms would be ideal. When it comes to stationary concentrators, the weight is not so important, because the concentrator generally stands in one place and there is no need to move it. How much can such a stationary concentrator weigh? Depending on the size and purpose (home or professional use), they can weigh from 5 to even 28 kilograms.
Intended use of the concentrator
The ideal situation would be to buy both models of concentrators: portable and stationary, but due to the cost it would entail, few can afford it. In addition, you should ask yourself the question - will the sick person move or will use the concentrator only stationary - which undoubtedly takes place in most cases. Asking yourself such a question will certainly help us make a decision.
In view of the above, we can say unequivocally that an oxygen concentrator is a device that saves health and life and its selection and decision to buy should be preceded by a conversation with a doctor. Our experience in oxygen therapy and the models we offer will certainly meet the requirements of people in need of this type of support. Oxygen concentrators we have in stock all the time and their purchase is so easy just contact us - our team is at your disposal and we will be happy to advise which model to choose and indicate where such a concentrator can be purchased: )
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What to Look for When Buying a Portable Oxygen ...
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Deciding which portable oxygen concentrator to purchase is an important choice. Not only are you buying a vital piece of medical equipment, but youre paying a significant price too. It really pays to do your research and make sure youre getting the features you need. The list below will detail what to look for and hopefully help make your decision an easier one.
Portability
A portable oxygen unit should be, well, portable. If the unit is oversized its not going to lend itself to easy carrying. Patients requiring oxygen can still lead very active lifestyles and their oxygen concentrator shouldnt hold them back. Before making a purchase, consider the portability factors below:
- Size: With the modern mobile concentrators currently on the market, its not difficult to find models under a foot in every dimension. When thinking about size, consider if the unit will fit in the trunk of your car or under an airliner seat. If you ride public transit will it fit there? Can you easily handle it?
- Weight:The weight of the unit is as equally important as the size. Even a small object can be incredibly dense, so make sure the model you choose is the proper weight for you. Although heavier models often come with wheeled carts, there will still be times that you or a caregiver will need to lift your oxygen concentrator. Your unit should be a comfortable weight for you to carry, at least for short distances. Fortunately, there are many models available that weigh less than 10 pounds.
- FAA Approved:These days, if the Federal Aviation Administration doesnt like it, you cant carry it on a commercial airplane. Generally, most portable oxygen concentrator models are FAA approved, but this is something youll want to make sure of before selecting a model.
Durability
No matter how careful you are, its inevitable that your unit will suffer some bangs and bumps, particularly during travel. Since an oxygen concentrator is a considerable investment and manufacturers warranties usually dont cover accidents, try to pick a model known for its durability. The ideal concentrator should have a tough casing and quality parts that can stand up to a few knocks.
Oxygen Delivery Options
Oxygen concentrators have a variety of options when it comes to oxygen delivery. Some are pulse dosing only. This means that oxygen is supplied to the patient in measured pulses. The pulses are usually adjustable, within certain limits. Be certain that the model you choose can supply large enough pulse doses to meet your oxygen requirements.
Youll also find models with technology that auto-adjusts the pulses to match the patients inhalation and exhalation. This can be a very useful feature, especially during exercise or other increased activity.
Another available mode is continuous flow. With this setting, oxygen is delivered constantly at a set rate. Patients who have higher oxygen needs may find a continuous flow setting useful. Again, the available rates vary from model to model, with some oxygen concentrators maxing out at 1 liter of oxygen per minute and others providing up to 3 liters per minute. Know your supplemental oxygen needs before settling on a model. Its important to note a continuous flow setting is necessary for an oxygen concentrator to be compatible with a CPAP or BiPAP machine, so keep this in mind if you have sleep apnea.
Some models offer both pulse dosing and continuous flow, while others have only one or the other.
Display and Alarms
Is the display on your oxygen concentrator easy to read? Does it have large enough buttons that you wont accidently press the wrong one? Does it feature useful alarms, like low battery, malfunction, and oxygen flow problems? These are all important factors to consider when buying an oxygen concentrator.
Filters
Almost every oxygen concentrator comes with a filter, but most are simply particle filters designed to remove dust and dander from your oxygen supply. However, some models feature antibacterial filters, which are a definite plus for patients, especially those who have weakened immune systems or are prone to respiratory infections. Of course, you should always clean or change your filters regularly and follow the manufacturers instructions.
Warranty
Warranties are important on any major purchase and portable oxygen concentrators are no exception. A 3-year manufacturers warranty on the unit itself is the industry standard, but check the details to see if you must send your concentrator in to the company for servicing or if it can be fixed at the place of purchase or other local shop. Also, keep in mind that the warranty for accessories is often much shorter, around 90 days to 1 year.
Noise
Portable oxygen concentrators are generally quiet, but do have a wide range of volumes. Some you wont notice even in a library. Others give off a noticeable background noise and may not be the best choice if youre going to be spending time in noise sensitive areas. Most oxygen concentrators list their decibel level, so do some research if you need an especially quiet model.
Battery Life
Even the smallest, most powerful portable oxygen concentrator isnt very good if you cant take it anywhere due to a short battery life. While different oxygen delivery modes drain batteries at varying rates, you should expect anywhere from 2 to 4 hours from a fully charged battery. If you take frequent trips where you have no access to a car charger or wall outlet, consider looking for a model with a longer battery life. Keep in mind that purchasing additional batteries is always another option.
Accessories
Some units come with a ton of accessories while others dont even include a single battery. Consider the included accessories carefully, as purchasing them separately can end up adding to your final price. Youll definitely want at least one battery and a carrying case. For heavier models, a mobile cart is also a good pick. Some models also include shoulder harnesses and a cannula, adding more value for customers.
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