Oxygen Concentrator: This machine which prepares oxygen from normal air is not less than any lifesaving for patients. Especially for hospitals that do not have oxygen support, and for patients with home isolation.
What is Oxygen Concentrator and How Does It Works: Amid the second wave of corona in the country, there is an oxygen crisis in hospitals of many states. Constant efforts are being made, despite this, the supply of medical oxygen is not being completed in many hospitals. For the corona patients with shortness of breath, their relatives are also seen carrying oxygen cylinders. But amidst all this, another machine that saves the lives of patients is under discussion.
This machine is an oxygen concentrator. This machine, which prepares oxygen from normal air, is not less than any lifesaving for patients. Especially for hospitals which do not have oxygen support, this machine is a big option for patients with home isolation. Mainly two big companies in the country, BPL and Philips, manufacture it. However, let us know… what is this oxygen concentrator… how different is it from the oxygen cylinder and how it works.
What is an oxygen concentrator?
The oxygen concentrator can look like a portable trolley, be the size of a computer, or look like a water purifier. Companies prepare it in different models. It is a kind of portable machine, which generates oxygen from the normal air outside the house or outside. Oxygen concentrators are more commonly used in places where there is no facility to use liquid oxygen or pressurized oxygen or it is dangerous to do so. For example, in many small hospitals or nursing homes or small clinics. In cases of corona, it is very helpful for patients with home isolation.
How does oxygen be generated?
The oxygen concentrator generates oxygen from the air outside the home for patients with shortness of breath. The concentrator uses the pressure swing aberration technique. As we know, only 21 percent of the natural air contains oxygen, 78 percent nitrogen and the remaining part contains other gases. The oxygen concentrator separates nitrogen from this common air and expels the gas with the maximum amount of oxygen. Patients use it to breathe through a tube.
Cheap, convenient and life saving
Medical oxygen concentrator costs less (about 30 to 60 thousand rupees). Some very small portable machines cost 3 to 5 thousand. It runs with electricity or battery. This is a cheaper, safer and convenient option compared to oxygen cylinders and refilling. Concentrators do not create new molecules of oxygen, but separate nitrogen from ordinary air so that oxygen remains in it.
What is the purity as cylinder or supplied medical oxygen?
It gives slightly less pure oxygen compared to liquid medical oxygen supplies or cylinders in hospitals. Liquid medical oxygen is 99 percent pure, while the concentrator gives 93 to 95 percent pure oxygen. However, according to experts, the concentration is sufficient for patients with mild and moderate symptoms, patients who have an oxygen saturation level of 85% or more.
When the level below 85 is recommended, liquid medical oxygen is recommended. Experts also say that the oxygen concentrator cannot be considered an alternative to ICU. A two-tube concentrator can be used in the same household, for 2 patients at a time, but experts report a risk of cross-infection and recommend not doing so.
Concentrators disappear from market due to sudden demand increase
The demand for concentrator suddenly increased due to deepening of the oxygen crisis in the Corona wave and in such a situation its availability in the market is going away. BPL and Philips are its major manufacturer companies in the country.
According to media reports, BPL Medical Technologies CEO Sunil Khurana says that the industry was not ready for the sudden increase in demand. However, we have placed orders for the import of finished units and are also waiting for the arrival of its components from America. Will start production as soon as it arrives.
At the same time, Daniel Mejon, MD of Philips Indian Subcontinent, says that the company has increased the global production of oxygen concentrator. We are working towards making it available in India. It is expected that this machine will be available on a large scale in the Indian market in 10 to 15 days.
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