Oxygen Concentrators Patrick McAleer (2007), Home Oxygen Concentrator [photograph]. Retrieved from BrokenSphere (2008). Invacare Perfecto 2 Oxygen Concentrator [photograph]. Retrieved from Oxygen_Concentrator.JPG

Summary Clinical Use Specifications History Principles of Operation Block Diagram Commercial Examples Preventive Maintenance Common Problems Test Procedures

Anesthesia Resuscitation through ventilators Cases of Hypoxia caused by: –Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - COPD (restriction, inflammation, or infection of bronchioles) –Cardiovascular insufficiency (irregular rhythm, decreased flow, or inefficient transport) Clinical Use

Have been used for decades Older versions were bulky, not reliable, and were not permitted on airplanes Since 2000, a number of manufactures have improved their reliability 1 and 6 liters per minute History

Input: Atmosphere air (78% N % O 2 +1% trace gases) Output: O 2 90% to 95% pure (lower for flow higher than 5 liters/minute) Specifications

Principles of Operation N 2 binds to aluminum silicate (zeolite) crystals, only O 2 passes

Block Diagram Virginia Reid (2016), OC Block Diagram [image].

Rear Components Two zeolite towers One product tank One regulator One crossover valve One capacitor One heat exchanger One exhaust fan

Front Components One four-way normally- closed valve module to prevent moisture infiltration One processor board One long-life intake filter One Thomas compressor One intake resonator One exhaust muffler Wiki name (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons

Rotameter Mintz I (2007), A schematic drawing of a rotameter [drawing]. Retrieved from Rotameter_(schematic).png

Commercial Examples Rifair (2008), PSA Oxygen Concentrators [photograph]. Retrieved from OXY_RIFAIR.JPG

Commercial Examples Portable BrokenSphere (2008). Invacare Perfecto 2 Oxygen Concentrator [photograph]. Retrieved from

Commercial Examples Mobile GRASYS (grasys.com) [GFDL ( CC-BY-SA-3.0 ( or FAL], via Wikimedia Commons

Commercial Examples Cylinder Filling Plants EERE (unknown), Cascade storage system [photograoh]. Retrieved from

Patient’s Safety Hyper exposure to higher O 2 concentrations at normal pressure: –Disorientation –Breathing problems –Vision changes

Patient’s Safety Above-normal oxygen partial pressures – Oxidative damage to cell membranes, –Collapse of the alveoli –Retinal detachment –Seizures

Preventive Maintenance Calibration Once a week (check manually): –Filter; clean external filter with water Once a year: –Dust blow out of inside –Internal paper filter replacement –Check alarm battery – Check hoses and fittings –Check Oxygen output level

Common Problems Low O2 concentration due to the life expectancy of the Zeolite crystals (20,000 hours) Clogged filter Tubing and connectors leaks

Test Procedures Check pressure of internal systems, psi Check if appropriate valves are closed during filtering (8 to 20 seconds) Compare the flow and O 2 values with other calibrated meters (concentrator needs 10 minutes to deliver the normal values)

Quiz What is the minimum allowable O 2 concentration? Internal pressure range? Battery functions? Maximum output flow for bedside portable units?

Questions ?