What are Oxygen Concentrators and How do they Work.
                     What are Oxygen Concentrators 
and How do they Work?
Introduction
With a surge in the number of severe 
COVID-19 patients in the country, the 
demand for oxygen supplies has only 
increased.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
What is an Oxygen 
concentrator?
An oxygen concentrator is a device that 
concentrates the oxygen from a gas 
supply by selectively removing nitrogen 
to supply an oxygen-enriched product 
gas stream. 
Source: Wikipedia
How do they Work?
Oxygen concentrators are devices that 
helps concentrate oxygen from the 
ambient air by removing nitrogen and 
delivering pure oxygen to individuals, 
whose blood oxygen levels (SpO2) 
readings drop below 93%. 
Ideal oxygen levels should be between 
94-99%.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Different types of 
oxygen concentrators
Two types of oxygen concentrators 
namely continuous flow and pulse dose 
are available to us in the market. 
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Continuous flow Vs. 
Pulse dose 
concentrator
While a continuous flow oxygen 
concentrator provides the same flow of 
oxygen in a minute until it's been 
turned off, pulse dose identifies the 
patient's breathing pattern and gives 
out oxygen when it detects inhalation.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Who can use this?
For people, whose blood oxygen levels 
drop below 93%, they can start 
arranging oxygen concentrators for 
themselves and can start therapy at 
home. 
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Higher flow of oxygen
Anyone, whose SpO2 level drops below 
80-85, they may need higher flow of 
oxygen or may have to resort to an 
oxygen level.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Oxygen concentrator 
Vs.
 oxygen cylinder
Oxygen concentrators are portable and 
easiest alternatives to massive oxygen 
cylinders. 
However, they can only provide 5-10 
litres of oxygen per minute, which may 
not be enough for severe patients.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Advantage of Oxygen 
concentrators 
oxygen concentrators can be easily 
carried from one place to another and 
do not need refilling each time. 
It only needs a source of power to draw 
in ambient air.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
What to keep in mind 
while buying an oxygen 
concentrator?
Oxygen concentrators need 
continuous electricity supply 
ranging from 100W to 600W. 
Unlike oxygen cylinders, it 
dispenses oxygen until and 
unless it has been manually 
shut down.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com