The air we breathe is mainly comprised of Nitrogen (78%) and Oxygen (21%). An oxygen concentrator machine takes room air from the environment, passes it over a porous zeolite to adsorb the Nitrogen, then collects the pure Oxygen. It delivers medical grade O2 up to 95% purity with minimal power consumption and minimal noise.

There are many types of oxygen machines in the market. They vary in weight, size, range of L*min-1 and battery life, as well as other specifications.

A portable oxygen concentrator is a compact and mobile unit that delivers continuous flow of oxygen to patients. They are designed to use either a rechargeable battery or an AC/DC power source, and some are also equipped with an oxygen sensing device.

They are available in a variety of sizes and can be carried on a backpack, cart or pull-behind vehicle. Some are even capable of delivering oxygen when the user’s air supply is interrupted, such as during a flight.

Most portable units are able to deliver up to 3 liters per minute of oxygen flow with a few models that can supply more than 5 liters at a time. They usually have an oxygen inlet filter, which removes particulates and allergens from the air that enters the machine.

The oxygen inlet filter should be clean and replaced when needed. You can wash it with warm water and soap once a week or use a disposable cleaning cloth for regular maintenance.

Your doctor will recommend using an oxygen concentrator if you have a health condition that causes your oxygen level to drop below normal. They might also recommend it if you’ve recently had bloodwork or pulse oximetry performed to assess your oxygen saturation levels.

Some of the most common health conditions that require oxygen therapy include COPD, heart failure and asthma. If you have any of these, or another medical condition, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible and get an oxygen prescription.

Before you start using an oxygen concentrator, ask your doctor to review the manual or instructions that come with it. They will be able to give you tips on how to use it safely and effectively.

Keep your oxygen concentrator away from walls, furniture and any other items that could obstruct the air inlet. The compressor in the concentrator needs a gap of about 1 to 2 feet from the walls and furniture for proper air flow.

Position your concentrator to the side of a bedroom or other space where you spend most of your time. This will allow the air to circulate through it and avoid the potential for heat buildup. It should be positioned about 1 to 2 feet from the bed or sofa so that it is easy for you to place a mask on and take in oxygen.

Make sure to use distilled or filtered water in your humidification bottle. If you don’t, your humidification will only last a few hours before it stops working.