Advantages of Oxygen Concentrator | Disadvantages of Oxygen Concentrator

Advantages of Oxygen Concentrator | Disadvantages of Oxygen Concentrator used for COVID-19

This page covers advantages and disadvantages of Oxygen Concentrator used for COVID-19 or similar diseases. It mentions benefits or advantages of Oxygen Concentrator and drawbacks or disadvantages of Oxygen Concentrator.

Introduction: Normally our blood oxygen level should be equal or higher than 95% (usually between 94 to 99%). The parameter called "SpO2" is used to indicate level of oxygen in blood as percentage of maximum it can be carried by our blood. Pulse oximeter can be used to measure SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation). This level may drop due to lung related diseases such as COVID-19. If it drops below 90%, it may cause strain on our heart, lung and liver. Hence it is advisable to visit doctor or get admitted to nearby clinic.

Following are the important ways one can get more oxygen.
• Get fresh air using oxygen concentrator
• Drink enough water
• Eat foods rich in iron such as egg, poultry, seafood, red meat, beans, dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, peas, breads etc.
• Breathing Exercise

Figure-1 : SpO2 measurement using pulse oximeter

Following table-1 mentions SpO2 level in various conditions.

Condition	SpO2 Level
Healthy individuals	More than or equal to 95%
People with COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)	88 to 92%
Hypoxic (i.e. low oxygen in your tissues)	85 to 94% (Note : Patients should initiate oxygen therapy)
Severely Hypoxic	Less than 85% (Note : Patients should administer supplemental oxygen immediately)

Following table-2 mentions SpO2 level in percentage (%) for different age of the people.

Age group in years	Minimum SpO2 (%)	Maximum SpO2 (%)	Mean SpO2 (%)	Median SpO2 (%)
18-24	80	100	98	98
25-34	82	100	97.6	98
35-44	73	100	97.2	98
45-54	76	100	96.8	97
55-64	72	100	96.3	97
>=65	70	100	95.8	96

As shown in the tables, SpO2 level varies with people based on their age and body conditions. As mentioned it is advisable to condult doctor or health experts when one see fluctuations in SpO2 or continuous decrease in SpO2 level as measured by pulse oximeter. Only after the tests, it can be determined whether the change in SpO2 is due to COVID-19 or due to other illness. So it is advisable that one should keep patience and wait for the tests and keep confidence level high.

What is Oxygen Concentrator?

The device which delivers pure and medical grade oxygen is known as oxygen concentrator. It is very much useful for people suffering from low blood oxygen levels. Oxygen concentrator concentrates surrounding air inside itself and delivers fresh and pure medical grade oxygen to help patients breathe comfortably. It can be used as substitute for compressed gas containers or portable oxygen cylinders.

It does not require expensive tanks or oxygen container refills. It provides stationary source of oxygen to COVID-19 patients and patients requiring oxygen therapy. The figure-1 depicts SpO2 measurement using pulse oximeter.

How Oxygen Concentrator works

Let us understand working principle of oxygen concentrator. It is similar to working of AC (Air Conditioning) unit.
• It takes air inside from environment surrounding it.
• It condenses the inhaled air. Cooling system prevents it from getting heated.
• It removes nitrogen from inhaled air with the help of sieve beds and filters.
• It delivers fresh oxygen through mask or nasal cannula to the patients in need.
• The oxygen level output can be controlled using electronic interface on the Oxygen Concentrator machine.

Figure-2 : Oxygen Concentrator

The figure-2 depicts EVOX oxygen concentrator. The following are the technical features or specifications of O2 concentrator (EVOX-5S version). It can be used as source of supplement oxygen for therapeutic use. This is marketed by EVIDENT HEALTHCARE Mohali in INDIA. One can contact following details to procure the same.
• Smart touch panel button, Large LED display showing O2 purity level
• Includes nebulizer functionality as separate outlet
• Oxygen generating system parameters (Oxygen flow : 0.5 to 5 L/min ; Oxygen concentration : 93% + 3% ; Oxygen output pressure : 0.04 - 0.07 Mpa )
• Accessories : Nebulize nozzle and mask
• Indicators and alarms for various parameters and conditions
• EVIDENT HEALTHCARE
Address: Plot no. EL635 Phase-9 industrial Area (Mohali), INDIA
Email ID: contact.esspee@gmail.com, Mob:9780392147,7526961010

➨Refer oxygen concentrator manufacturers >> which provide list of Oxygen Concentrator Manufactures or Suppliers across INDIA, USA and other countries.

Benefits or advantages of Oxygen Concentrator

Following are the benefits or advantages of Oxygen Concentrator:
➨It is portable and light in weight.
➨It is designed to produce very less noise.
➨It is energy efficient device which saves power and consecutively savings on electricity bills.
➨Patients using it at home can minimize frequent or unnecessary visits to hospitals for O2 therapy. This saves travel time and money.
➨Due to use of Oxygen concentrator at home, one can avoid visit to hospitals which prevents them from coming in contacts with patients suffering from infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
➨It delivers O2 continuously as long as power is available unlike Oxygen (O2) cylinders which are liable to run out over coarse of time.
➨It offers good portability compare to large size oxygen cylinders.
➨It offers good reliability which varies as per manufacturers and their respective models.
➨It improves survival rates in respiratory conditions, improves mental attentiveness and mood of patients.

Drawbacks or disadvantages of Oxygen Concentrator

Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Oxygen Concentrator:
➨The capital cost is high and running cost is higher if power or electricity charges are high.
➨It requires considerable amount of training to operate unlike oxygen cylinder.
➨It requires electricity or power for its operation unlike O2 cylinder.
➨It requires regular maintenance and technical repairs as required.
➨It offers fair physical robustness compare to O2 cylinder.