Home Oxygen Concentrators: How Do They Work?

by Revity July 28, 2021

Oxygen therapy is a convenient way to maintain treatment from home, and through the use of home oxygen concentrators, it is widely accessible today.

From improved sleep to an overall better quality of life, home oxygen has many advantages that respiratory patients enjoy. Today, we’re sharing more about how these machines work and the ways they can improve your life.

How a Home Oxygen Concentrator Works

A home oxygen concentrator is a medical device that delivers long-term oxygen therapy to respiratory patients from the comfort of their own homes. These machines work by taking in air from the room, filtering out most of the nitrogen, and delivering the highest amount of pure oxygen possible. Before it goes into the concentrator, air is made up of about 80 percent nitrogen; this amount is decreased to as low as five percent after the air is compressed.

Components of an Oxygen Concentrator

According to the World Health Organization, oxygen concentrators consist of the following components:

A cabinet that houses the compressor and filters
Tubing
A nasal cannula and/or a face mask
A charger and battery if the device is portable

Who Is a Candidate for Home Oxygen Therapy?

Patients who use oxygen therapy are those with specific respiratory needs. To find out if you’re a good candidate for oxygen therapy, check with your doctor. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration advises that you should only use an oxygen concentrator at home if prescribed by a healthcare provider. The FDA states, “Deciding to use an oxygen concentrator without a prescription can lead to serious health problems, such as oxygen toxicity. It can also lead to a delay in receiving treatment for serious conditions like COVID-19.”

How to Use an Oxygen Concentrator

Since oxygen concentrators perform such essential, life-saving functions, you might assume that they’re challenging to use; however, the process is so simple that anyone can do it. Here are a few simple steps to keep in mind as you operate your machine:

Always position the concentrator a foot or two away from walls and furniture.
Start the device at least 15 minutes before treatment so it can begin circulating and purifying the air.
Check the tubing for any kinks before you start treatment.
Utilize the mask for low levels of oxygen and the nasal cannula for high levels.
Keep your concentrator away from water and extreme temperatures.

Advantages of Home Oxygen Concentrators

Home oxygen concentrators are known for being remarkably safe to use. Traditional oxygen cylinders can rupture or leak causing a fire, but oxygen concentrators pose no such threat. You can receive the respiratory care you need at home without worry.

Here are four more ways home oxygen concentrators can improve your life:

Your overall health and mood will improve.
You will get better quality sleep.
You will have increased stamina for moving around and exercising.
Your mental attentiveness will improve.

Visit O2 Assist for Top-of-the-Line Home Oxygen Concentrators

If you and your healthcare provider have decided that you are ready for a home oxygen concentrator, O2 Assist is here to help you find the perfect machine to fit your unique needs.

When you buy one of our concentrators, you'll be connected to a personal oxygen specialist to answer any questions about your device.