Background and Identification
Oxygen concentrators are medical devices that filter surrounding air and compress it in order to produce purified medical grade oxygen. The device can then administer the oxygen to the patient through a pulse-dose or continuous stream delivery system. Oxygen concentrators are typically used to treat patients with breathing disorders or with a lower concentration of oxygen in their blood than normal.
According to David Repasky at cpap.com, oxygen concentrators function in the following steps:
1. Compressing air as the cooling mechanism keeps the concentrator from becoming overheated
2. Taking air in from its surroundings
3. Using an electronic interface to adjust delivery settings
4. Removing nitrogen from the air through sieve beds and a filter
5. Delivering purified oxygen through a mask or nasal cannula