An electrically-operated device that concentrates the oxygen content of normal room air to approximately 90% at flow rates up to 5l/min. Concentrators are convenient, cost-effective, do not require refills and are aesthetically attractive. Of all the delivery systems used by oxygen-dependent patients, oxygen concentrators are the most common and usually the most economical method to provide oxygen therapy at home. An oxygen concentrator is an electrical device that uses sieve-bed technology to extract oxygen from the surrounding air. This oxygen is then delivered to the patient using a plastic tube connected to a nasal cannula or facemask. The advantages of a concentrator over other forms of oxygen supply are:
- Concentrators provide a continuous supply of oxygen, while requiring very low maintenance
- The concentrator stays in the room in which it is placed and the person using the device can use a longer length of oxygen tubing (15m of tubing is provided free of charge) to move around the house without having to move the concentrator
- A concentrator can be combined with a Medical Oxygen cylinder as a back-up in case of power outages
- Concentrators are highly cost-efficient
Because concentrators operate solely on electricity, it is critical that they are always supplied with a back-up cylinder to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply, even during power failure.