Portable oxygen concentrator (POC) is a portable device used to deliver oxygen therapy to people who require greater oxygen concentrations than ambient air levels. This is similar to a home oxygen concentrator (OC), but smaller in size and more mobile. They are small enough to carry and many are now approved by the FAA for use on airplanes.
Video Portable oxygen concentrator
Development
The oxygen concentrator was developed in the late 1970s, early manufacturers including Bendix and Union Carbide. They were originally conceived as a method of extending the life of the source of oxygen. Started in 2000, manufacturers developed portable versions. Since their initial devlopment, reliability has been improved, and POC now produces between one and six liters per minute (LPM) of oxygen depending on the patient's respiratory rate. The latest models of intermittent flow are only products weighed in the range of 2.8 to 9.9 pounds (1.3-4.5 kg) and continuous flow (CF) units between 10 and 20 pounds (4.5 to 9.0 kg ).
Maps Portable oxygen concentrator
How does it work?
POC operates on the same principle as home concentrator, pressure swing adsorption. The basic settings of POC are miniature air compressors, filter cylinders, pressure equalizing reservoirs and valves and tubes.
During the first half of the first cycle, the internal compressor forces this air through a chemical filter system known as molecular sieve. This filter is made of silicate granules called zeolites that attract (by adsorption) the nitrogen molecule to its surface stronger than attracting oxygen molecules - this releases nitrogen from the air and centralizes oxygen. When the desired purity is reached and the first cylinder reaches about 20 psi oxygen and a small amount of other gas is released into the pressure equalization reservoir. Since the pressure on the first cylinder decreases, nitrogen is desorbed, the valve is closed, and the gas is released into the ambient air. Most of the oxygen produced is delivered to the patient; partly put back into the sieve (at a very reduced pressure) to water the residual nitrogen, and prepare the zeolite for the next cycle. The atmosphere contains about 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen; The remaining 1% is a mixture of other gases and through this process. The functional POC system is a nitrogen cleanser and they are able to produce medical oxygen up to 90% consistently.
The most important consideration for POC is its ability to provide adequate oxygen sufficient to relieve hypoxia (lack of oxygen) during normal activities and based on the patient's respiratory cycle. Other variables include maximum oxygen purity, number and adjustment adjustments to adjust oxygen flow, and battery capacity (or the number of additional batteries) and power cable options for recharging. It is advisable to seek help from a specialist, to prescribe the correct flow of oxygen and choose the POC that best fits the patient's needs.
Pulse
Pulse dose (also called intermittent-flow or on-demand) POC is the smallest unit, often weighing only about 5 pounds (2.2 kg). Its small size allows the patient not to waste energy obtained from the treatment to bring it. Here the unit intermittently adjusts the volume (or bolus) of oxygen in milliliters per breath (mL/breath). Their ability to conserve oxygen is key to keeping the unit compact without sacrificing the duration of oxygen supply. Most POC systems currently provide oxygen on on-demand and are used with the nasal cannula to deliver oxygen to the patient.
Ongoing stream
With continuous flow units, oxygen delivery is measured in LPM (liters per minute). Providing continuous flow requires greater pump/motor assembly, additional electronics, and more from molecular sieves. This increases the size and weight of the device (about 18-20 lbs).
There are several available units that can function in good mode.
With demand or pulse flow, delivery is measured by the size (in milliliters) of the oxygen "bolus" per breath.
Some use
Medical:
- Allows patients to use 24/7 oxygen therapy and reduce mortality by 1.94 times less than for overnight use only.
- A 1999 Canadian study concluded that proper OC installations provide the safe, reliable, and cost-efficient main source of hospital oxygen.
- Helps improve exercise tolerance, allowing users to exercise longer.
- Helps improve stamina throughout everyday activities.
- POC is a safer option than carrying around an oxygen tank because it makes gas purer on demand.
- POC units are consistently smaller and lighter than tank based systems and can provide longer oxygen supply.
Commercial:
- Glass blowing industry
- Skincare
- The aircraft is not pressurized
- The nightclub oxygen bar even though the doctor and the FDA have expressed concerns with this.
FAA Approval
On May 13, 2009, the US Department of Transport (DOT) ruled that an airline carrying a passenger flight of greater than 19 seats, should allow disabled travelers with an FAA-approved POC. DOT rules have been adopted by many international airlines. The list of POCs approved for air travel is on the FAA website.
Night use
On-demand units are not recommended for patients who experience oxygen desaturation due to sleep apnea, and CPAP masks are generally recommended for them. For patients whose desaturation is due to shallow breathing, the use of POC at night is a useful therapy. Especially with the advent of alarms and technologies that detect the patient's breathing slower during sleep and adjust the flow or the size of the corresponding bolus.
See also
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Oxygen Bar
- Oxygen concentrator
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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