Oxygen Conserving Devices & Regulators

Regulate and Supply – Oxygen Regulators

Regulating the flow or dosage of any medication is as important as the treatment itself as a slight change in the dosage or the flow can create complications for the patient. The same goes for oxygen. Not enough oxygen means difficulty breathing and excessive oxygen can lead to oxygen poisoning, causing complications in the respiratory system. To control the flow of oxygen one consumes from the concentrator, regulators come into play.

What is an Oxygen Regulator and How does it Work?

Oxygen regulators are devices that can to adjust the liter flow of oxygen from 1-25 liters per minute, depending on the amount prescribed and the device you are using. Regulators for children are specialized to regulate between 1-32 liters and they come in small doses. In common language, an oxygen regulator regulates the flow of oxygen from the tank so that the right amount of oxygen is delivered to the patient.

Types of Oxygen Regulators

There are two types of oxygen regulators:

1. Conserving Regulator

An oxygen conserving regulator helps your oxygen tank last about 5 times longer than a continuous oxygen regulator at the same flow rate. A pulse dose of oxygen is given to the patient only when the patient breathes. The oxygen conserving regulators only give out oxygen when they are initiated by the patient. The problem with these types of regulators is that if the patient breathes through the mouth or does not take a deep breath, the device won’t work and the dose of oxygen won’t be delivered. Most oxygen conserving regulators are highly sensitive, but there are situations where the patient requires a continuous flow regulator.

2. Continuous Regulator

These regulators are fixed on the top of the oxygen tank and their dial allows the patient to adjust the oxygen flow. These regulators allow a continuous flow of oxygen thus emptying the oxygen tank faster depending on the amount of intake and the frequency of usage.

How to Use an Oxygen Regulator?

Though an oxygen regulator looks like a fairly complex device, it is very easy to use following some basic steps.

1. Make sure that the regulator you choose has the correct flow rate prescribed.
2. Make sure that the flow selector on the top of the concentrator or cylinder is set to zero.
3. Firmly place the regulator above the cylinder or in the case of a concentrator in the shrader, and wait until you hear a clicking sound that ensures it is locked in place.
4. Set the flow rate regulator according to the one prescribed to the patient
5. Switch on the concentrator or slowly open the valve of the cylinder to let the oxygen flow.

What are my choices?

Drive Chad Bonsai Velocity Pneumatic Oxygen Conserver

Drive Chad Bonsai Velocity Pneumatic Oxygen Conserver is designed for use with a cylinder as an ambulatory oxygen system. It is capable of delivering a precise amount of oxygen at the optimal point in the breathing cycle. It increases the efficiency in the delivery of oxygen, maximizing the beneficial effects and eliminating unnecessary oxygen waste.

Drive SmartDose Mini Auto Adjusting Oxygen Conserver

Drive SmartDose Mini Auto Adjusting Oxygen Conserver senses the patient's breathing rate and turns the oxygen flow up and down as needed, within seconds. It is intended as a delivery device for medical-grade oxygen from high-pressure oxygen cylinders. This is an ambulatory device, which allows patients to ambulate longer than they would with a continuous flow regulator on the same cylinder. Optimizes both patient saturation and oxygen conservation.

Drive Chad Evolution Electronic Oxygen Conserver

Drive Chad Evolution Electronic Oxygen Conserver is built for use as part of a portable ambulatory oxygen system for the purpose of facilitating long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). It provides mobile LTOT patients with an extended operating time of their mobile system. It includes a combination of a low-pressure regulator and an oxygen conserver and is capable of delivering a precise amount of supplemental oxygen at the optimal point in the breathing cycle.

Medline EconO2mizer II Single-Lumen Pneumatic Oxygen Conserver

This Medline Oxygen Conserver is a lightweight and compact unit with the greatest number of settings for continuous and conserving flows. Featuring a color-coded selector knob (green for conserve, white for continuous) makes it easier to identify what setting is selected, and this can help oxygen tanks last longer.

Precision Medical EasyPulse Five Oxygen Conserving Regulator

EasyPulse5 Oxygen Conserving Regulator is intended to regulate high-pressure cylinders that provide supplemental oxygen to patients. It is the newest conserver from Precision Medical. EasyPulse5 delivers 100% oxygen at 6 continuous flow settings and pulse flow settings 1-5. The lightweight and compact device delivers a tank conserving ratio of up to 5.7 to 1. The EasyPulse Five Oxygen Regulator is used as an oxygen saving device that reduces the drying of the airways. It has a color-coded large gauge that alerts the users when it is time to change tanks.

Choosing the right oxygen regulator can go a long way in ensuring the perfect administration of oxygen therapy to a patient. A small mistake in the dosage or the flow can result in severe complications therefore, choosing the right oxygen regulator is critical.

 

Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.