How Does It Work?
Portable oxygen concentrators operate on the same principle as a home domestic concentrator, operating through a series of cycles. Air at barometric pressure contains 21% oxygen combined with nitrogen and a mixture of other gases. A miniaturised air compressor inside the machine will pressurise this air through a system of chemical filters known as a molecular sieve. This filter is made up of silicate granules called Zeolite which sieves the nitrogen out of the air, concentrating the oxygen. Part of the oxygen produced is delivered to the patient; part is fed back into the sieves to clear them of the accumulated nitrogen, preparing them for the next cycle. Through this process, the system is capable of producing medical grade oxygen of up to 96% consistently. The latest models can be powered from mains electricity supply, 12v DC (car/boat etc.), and battery packs making the patient free from relying on using cylinders & other current solutions that put a restriction on time, weight, and size.
Most of the current portable oxygen concentrator systems provide oxygen on a pulse (on-demand) delivery in order to maximise the purity of the oxygen. The system supplies a high concentration of oxygen and is used with a nasal cannula to channel oxygen from the concentrator to the patient.
Read more about this topic: Portable Oxygen Concentrator