Oxygen Concentrator is an electronic device that provides Oxygen to the patients by concentrating room air (ambient air) into pure oxygen.The air we breathe is mainly comprised of
Nitrogen (78%) & Oxygen (21%). This machine takes the room air using a compressor, removes Nitrogen from it anddelivers medical grade Oxygen up to 95% purity.
Based on the principle of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology, these oxygen machines are now widely used in homes for oxygen therapy especially where liquid or pressurized oxygen is too dangerous or inconvenient. Oxygen concentrator can replicate the function of an Oxygen cylinder; however, the only snag is that it uses electricity eventhough the power consumption is minimal.

When is it used?
Used by:
Patients who have respiratory conditions like COPD, ILD, etc. that cause low levels of oxygen in t heir blood. An Oxygen Concentrator is used when a patient is prescribed supplemental Oxygen
to fulfil the basic Oxygen needs of the body. The number of hours that the physician prescribes oxygen therapy can vary from 1 to 24 hrs per day depending upon patient’s condition.
It is highly advised to start using supplemental Oxygen as soon as it is recommended by a physician.

How does it work?
The basic working of an Oxygen Concentrator is simple; it takes room air, removes Nitrogen from it and gives us medical grade O2 up to 95% purity. Since Nitrogen and Oxygen are two main
components of air with 78% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen; the air is left with 90-95% pure
Oxygen after removing Nitrogen from it. Working in 4 simple steps: Room air taken in the machine
Nitrogen trapped & removed from air leaving behind O2 as primary gas
Adjusting the O2 delivery flow in Litres Per Minute (LPM)
90-95% pure Oxygen delivered to patient through delivery systems like Nasal cannula, mask, etc.

Types
Stationary Oxygen Concentrator:
Staionary concentrator also known as homeoxygen concentrator is the one which works
only on AC mains. All stationary OxygenConcentrators deliver continuous flow of Oxygen just like a cylinder with standard delivery systems. It is called stationary because the patient cannot carry it all the time as an Oxygen source with him/her but it can easily be moved in home as most manufacturers manufacture models that are mounted on wheels and weigh from about 9kg (19 lbs) to 28 kg (61 lbs).

Portable Oxygen Concentrator:
They are similar to home oxygen concentrators but smaller in size, lighter in weight, easy to carry and can work on battery as well as AC mains. Most portable models are pulse flow based but some have continuous mode as well.

Accessories
Humidifier
Flow of Oxygen through the airways tends to dry them up just like normally air would do to any wet surface. In order to avoid the dryness in nose and throat of patients, ahumidifier is required.
bubbles through the water in humidifier bottle and gets moistened. Usually it is said
that humidification is required for flows higher than 3 Litres Per Minute (LPM). Also
note that humidifier is not required in pulse flow of a portable oxygen concentrator.