What is an Oxygen Concentrator?
An oxygen concentrator or oxygen generator is a medical device used to provide
oxygen therapy to patients requiring medical oxygen due to low oxygen levels in the blood. In simple words, an
Oxygen Concentrator runs on electricity; takes in room air, removes Nitrogen from it and provides up to 95% pure
Oxygen. It is thus a very cost efficient source of oxygen and way more safe and convenient as compared to an
oxygen cylinder/tank.
How does an oxygen concentrator work?
- Normal air which contains 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other gases enters the oxygen concentrator.
- This air passes through the compressor which compresses the air and delivers it in a continuous stream.
- The compressed air moves to the sieve bed filters which contain a material called zeolite that adsorbs all
the nitrogen from the air, changing the concentration of the air to 95% oxygen and 5% other gases.
- Pure oxygen is then delivered to the patient and the flow is controlled by a flowmeter.
Who needs Oxygen Therapy ?
Patients suffering from the following ailments are usually advised medical oxygen at home.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, underdeveloped lungs in newborns.
- Heart failure.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Sleep apnea.
- Lung disease.
- Cancer/Dialysis.
How to choose the right Oxygen Machine for home use ?
There are a lot of brands which are offering Oxygen Concentrators -
- Philips Oxygen Concentrator
- Nidek Oxygen Concentrator
- Airsep Oxygen Concentrator
- Devilbliss Oxygen Concentrator
Few things we need to consider while buying an Oxygen Concentrator machine -
-
Price of an Oxygen Concentrator -
The price of a stationary electric oxygen machine usually varies from 38000 to 55000 depending upon the
brand and the model you chose .While for a portable Oxygen concentrator machine you will need to spend
somewhere around 1,70,000 to 2,00,000.
-
Size and weight of the Oxygen Concentrator machine-
The Oxygen Concentrator machine needs to be compact and sleek and not heavy like traditional oxygen
generator machines.
-
Ease to use and operational costs -
The Oxygen Concentrator machine should use less power and also produce less noise. The functionality should
be easy so that it can be easilt operated by a non medical person at home.
-
Cost of maintenance and after sales service -
The warranty offered by the company and other costs such as filter change and cost of spares.
Considering all the above factors I Suggest you to go for Philips Resironics Everflo Oxygen Concentrator.
The machine weighs only around 14 kgs and comes under a 3year warranty from Philips Respironics which has
service centers across the country in all major cities. It costs you approx 45000 to 47000.
Oxygen Concentrator machine rentals -
A lot of medical equipment suppliers provide oxygen concentrator or rent in Delhi NCR to people who
need them for a short period of time. This has made getting an oxygen concentrator for rent very convenient and
affordable. Oxygen Concentrator rentals start from 5000 pm for a stationary oxygen concentrator
machine. For a portable oxygen Concentrator on rent you will have to pay 25000 per month. The delivery,
installation and maintenance of the machine is taken care by them.
Why taking an Oxygen Concentrator on rent is a good idea ?
- Oxygen Concentrator on Rent to try
Renting an Oxygen Concentrator allows a patient to try it out, before purchasing the oxygen machine. testing
a rental oxygen machine under specific conditions that it will be used for when owned will help you assess
its worthiness for purchase.
- Oxygen Concentrator on Rent for Short term recovery
Oxygen Concentrator rentals make sense if you need it for a few weeks for post operative recovery or a
terminally ill patient who won’t be using it for long.
- Oxygen Concentrator on Rent for Travel
Many oxygen patients already have a home Oxygen Concentrator and only need a portable Oxygen Concentrator
for travel. Renting a portable Oxygen Concentrator for a vacation or a business trip is very cost effective.
What is the process to get an Oxygen Concentrator for rent ?
Rental Oxygen Concentrator machines are available on easy monthly rentals from a lot of home
care providers in the country, It is generally a three step process –
- Rent the Oxygen Concentrator
Consult with their respiratory specialist who will help you select the right Oxygen Concentrator based on
your needs. Choose the correct rental plan . Most of them provide deliveries within 2-3 hours.
- Receive the Oxygen Concentrator
The Oxygen Concentrator machine is delivered to your home by an expert who explains the functionality of the
machine. Check the Oxygen Concentrator machine for its condition and try it on the patient who is going to
use it. They charge the rental for the month in advance and also take a security cheque for the Cxygen
Concentrator machine.
- Return the Oxygen Concentrator
You can either renew the rental plan next month or if you no longer need the machine you need to return the
Oxygen Concentrator machine and take the security cheque back.
How to choose the correct Oxygen concentrator for rent provider?
Before getting a portable oxygen machine from a home care provider check for the following
things:-
-
The brand and the condition of the oxygen concentrator machine:
The portable oxygen concentrator machine needs to be of a reputed brand and not of Chinese make so
that it’s reliable and efficient. Also it needs to be properly serviced and clean.
-
The credibility of the provider:
You need to check whether the service provider will provide you timely service and replacement in case the
oxygen concentrator machine halts or you get stuck on some functionality of the machine.
-
Delivery time and rental costs:
The rental of the oxygen concentrator machine should not be too much. Also most of them provide home
deliveries which are chargeable but way more convenient as you can easily try it at home before taking it.
Stationary Oxygen concentrators
These machines run on electricity, weigh around 12-14 kg and are meant for use at home.
They can provide continuous flow upto 5 lpm/10 lpm. eg . Philips Respironics Everflo Oxygen Concentrator
Pros-
1. Can provide continuous unlimited flow of oxygen at home.
2. Way more convenient than oxygen cylinders.
Cons –
1. Bulky and not portable.
2. Require constant power source and cant be used in case of a power failure.
Portable Oxygen Concentrator
These machines weigh around 2-3 kg and are basically used while travelling or during a
flight. They can provide continuous flow only upto 2 lpm. For higher intermittent flows there is burst mode
which only delivers Oxygen when patient is inhaling and it can provide upto 6 lpm. eg. Philips Respironics
SimplyGo , Philips Respironics SimplyGoMini
Pros-
1. Light weight , can easily be used while travelling.
2. Have rechargeable batteries that provide a decent backup even without a nearby power source.
Cons –
1. Can provide continuous flow only upto 2 lpm.
2. Burst mode gives oxygen only when it detects the breathing of the patient which is sometimes very difficult
to do while sleeping.