Oxygen Concentrator - Stationary & Portable Oxygen Concentrators on Sale!

Oxygen Concentrator - Introduction | Buying guide | FAQ | Where to buy

What is an oxygen concentrator?

An oxygen concentrator is a device used for oxygen therapy for patients at substantially higher concentrations than that of ambient air. Often concentrators are used to care for bedridden patients. It keeps the level of oxygen in their blood stable and is often called supplemental oxygen.

What does a concentrator do?

An oxygen concentrator for home use compresses air from around the patient to deliver it to them in a purer form. The supply of oxygen is continuous. Unlike an oxygen cylinder, it can never run out as long as the battery is powered or the compressor is plugged into an electrical outlet. Oxygen machines provide a continuous stream of oxygen-enriched air and offer a cost-effective and most preferred at-home or on-the-go treatment.

Buying guide for home oxygen concentrator

You can buy a concentrator depending on your personal preference and needs.

1. Types of concentrators

There are 2 types of home oxygen concentrators - 

Portable oxygen concentrators

• Battery packs - A portable oxygen concentrator uses battery packs and allows the oxygen user to stay mobile. It is small in size and lightweight and can be carried around easily. Since it runs on a battery, a fully-charged battery will keep the oxygen machine ready to use outdoors, unlike a stationary unit.
• Multiple power options - Apart from the portability, portable concentrator also runs on AC and DC power. So you can plug it into an electrical outlet at home or in the car. It can be charged through a DC power cord, preserving the battery for outdoor use. A rechargeable battery and multiple AC and DC power options make a portable concentrator appropriate for travel.
• Multiple usages- These O2 concentrators are used for designed to be used for multiple usages like pulse dose and a continuous flow of oxygen. They are also built differently to suit these specific usages. For instance, a pulse dose concentrator is small in size, whereas a personal concentrator has built-in wheels. Some of these designs include - portable concentrators with high-flow settings and personal oxygen concentrators of less than 5 pounds.

Stationary oxygen concentrators

• A stationary concentrator system provides a continuous flow of oxygen. It can be used 24x7 because to start functioning, it just needs to be plugged into a wall socket.
• The outflow of oxygen is higher (liter-per-minute) than the portable variety type, and the users can wheel it around the house.

2. Types of oxygen delivery

Oxygen machine for home use is also categorized based on the type of oxygen delivery - 

Continuous flow delivery

• If delivery is required constantly and at all times, then a continuous-flow concentrator is necessary.

Pulse dose delivery

• The pulse dose concentrator delivers supplemental oxygen in doses or bursts every time you inhale. It is based on the breathing rate and the amount of oxygen taken in.
• Pulse dose O2 concentrators ensure delivery of an appropriate amount of oxygen based on different activity periods – sleep, rest, or daily tasks.
  • For a more sophisticated and efficient solution, pulse dose works better.
  • The selection of an O2 concentrator will also depend on your lifestyle – active or at home.
  • Additional considerations include weight, size, power options, and battery life.
  • If you are looking for a quieter oxygen electric machine, the size will be bigger. The smaller the size, the noisier it is.

2. Who can buy oxygen generator?

As per the guidelines received from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), to buy an O2 concentrator you will need a prescription. Prescriptions can be faxed to 1.203.616.2851 or emailed to [email protected]

3. How to monitor oxygen levels at home?

Oxygen levels are observed with a small device called a pulse oximeter. Pulse oximeters are normally placed on a fingertip. These machines use beams of light to indirectly measure the o2 level in the blood without drawing a blood sample.

4. Concentrator vs. Cylinder - what is the difference?

Concentrators and cylinders are used to deliver oxygen to the patients. However, the difference lies between their methods of functioning.

• The way oxygen is supplied
  • Oxygen cylinders have a limited amount of oxygen compressed within, and upon being inhaled by the user, it gets exhausted.
  • Concentrator filters and generates medical-grade oxygen. It supplies oxygen as long as the battery works.
  • The person can use a single O2 concentrator for a long span by changing the battery every once in a while.
• An O2 concentrator works like an AC
  • Unlike oxygen cylinders, concentrators take in air, modify and deliver it in a new form, much like an air conditioner.
  • The only difference is that a concentrator purifies air and makes it suitable for patients with low O2 levels in their blood.
• Cylinders are exhaustible
  • With consumption, an O2 cylinder depletes and requires refill or replacement.
• Dosage methods
  • All oxygen cylinders deliver oxygen on continuous flow.
  • But with concentrators, it tends to vary from device to device since some are more portable and operate on pulse-dose delivery.

5. What is the difference between stationary and portable oxygen machines?

Stationary Vs. Portable

*Please note that some of the concentrators may or may not have the above-mentioned specs.*