OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR

 An oxygen concentrator is a very important medical device used in hospitals especially in  intensive care units(ICUs) for supplying oxygen to  those  in need of oxygen. When the oxygen level of a patient has dropped considerably, an oxygen concentrator is required. Some of the common diseases that lead to a reduction in oxygen levels in patients include apnea, asthma and other respiratory illnesses. 

Oxygen concentrators are often necessary in neonatal hospital wards as sick newborns especially preterm infants often need supplemental oxygen especially if they are suffering from health conditions like apnea of prematurity. Usually, pulse oximeters are often used to monitor their oxygen levels before delivering oxygen to the patient using oxygen concentrators. A typical oxygen concentrator can supply oxygen to one or more patients at the same time. It supplies oxygen to a patient either by intermittent pulse flow or through continuous flow.

In newborns, the recommended amount of oxygen to be supplied  is between 0.5 L/min and 1 L/min[1]. You should note that the device works based on the principle of Pressure Swing Adsorption, to remove unwanted gases like nitrogen from air so that the patient can breath in oxygen.  It makes use of zeolite to absorb nitrogen contained in cylindrical canisters [2].

The prices of oxygen concentrator vary from $300 to $1,000. 


Fig. 1: Oxygen concentrator

References

1. Oxygen therapy for children. (World Health Organization, 2016).

2. Respiratory Support. Technical Education Modules - Oxygen Therapy. 

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