How much do you know about the oxygen concentration and oxygen flow rate of oxygen concentrators?

As an old saying goes, "A person lives on a breath." This sentence deeply illustrates the importance of this breath. Have we ever felt the near-death feeling of not being able to catch our breath? I think once you have had such an experience, you will never forget it for life. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and those with poor cardiac function in heart disease patients have a deep understanding of this. Some people are even tortured to the point of wishing they were dead. With the development of science and the emergence of oxygen concentrators, new hope has been brought to them. Household oxygen concentrators have become an indispensable necessity for these patients. Then, when we use oxygen concentrators, do we really understand the oxygen concentration and oxygen flow rate of oxygen concentrators?

Oxygen flow rate of oxygen concentrator: It represents the oxygen output flow rate per minute of the oxygen concentrator.

At present, there are oxygen concentrators with different flow rates such as 1L, 3L, 5L, and 9L on the market. The scale indication we adjust when inhaling oxygen is the current oxygen flow rate we are inhaling. For example, when you are inhaling oxygen and adjust the flow indicator to 5L/min, then the oxygen flow rate you are currently inhaling is 5L/min.

Oxygen concentration of oxygen concentrator: It refers to the oxygen output concentration of the oxygen concentrator.

I wonder if you have ever had such an experience. You feel that although you are inhaling oxygen, you still feel short of breath and will involuntarily increase the oxygen flow rate because you think that only when the oxygen flow rate is larger, will we inhale more oxygen. In fact, this idea is not wrong. However, currently, many oxygen concentrators on the market will have a decreased oxygen concentration when the oxygen flow rate is increased. Therefore, the effective oxygen concentration actually inhaled into the lungs cannot achieve the therapeutic effect.

As shown in the following figure: For many oxygen concentrators, when the oxygen flow rate is 1L/min, the oxygen concentration can be maintained at 90%; when the oxygen flow rate is adjusted to 2L/min, the oxygen concentration drops to 50%; when the oxygen flow rate is adjusted to 3L/min, the oxygen flow rate is 40%; when the oxygen flow rate reaches 5L/min, the oxygen concentration is only 30%.

So, what is the significance of oxygen flow rate and oxygen concentration for some of our patients with lung diseases?

For patients with lung diseases who need long-term oxygen inhalation, an oxygen concentrator that decreases in oxygen concentration as the oxygen flow rate increases is not of much significance.

For example, the most common group of people who need long-term oxygen inhalation is patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The oxygen concentration in the air we breathe daily is 21%. Generally, for COPD patients, the effective oxygen concentration reaching the lungs after oxygen inhalation needs to be between 29% and 35% and be stable and continuous to have a therapeutic effect. We have a calculation method. When inhaling oxygen through a nasal cannula, the effective oxygen concentration reaching the lungs of such patients = 21% + 4% × the oxygen output flow rate of the oxygen concentrator × the oxygen output concentration of the oxygen concentrator.

If the oxygen output concentration of our household oxygen concentrator is maintained at 90%, in order to ensure a certain effective oxygen concentration reaching the lungs, the oxygen output flow rate of the oxygen concentrator needs to be maintained at 2 to 4 liters.

Therefore, when we choose an oxygen concentrator, we need to choose a large-flow oxygen concentrator of 5L or 9L. At the same time, we also need to ensure that when the oxygen flow rate is adjusted to 5L/min, the oxygen concentration can still be maintained at 90%.

We have conducted a survey on patients and their families who need long-term oxygen therapy. The survey data shows that about 30% of patients do not implement long-term home oxygen therapy, and 78% of patients do not correctly implement long-term home oxygen therapy. Even many people have chosen the wrong oxygen concentrator.

Invacare in the United States is the earliest manufacturer of oxygen concentrators. It has always advocated scientific selection of oxygen concentrators. Patients should follow doctors' advice and correctly implement home oxygen therapy according to their conditions. Choosing an oxygen concentrator suitable for one's condition and at the same time following doctors' advice for reasonable oxygen therapy can often effectively relieve symptoms, prevent the aggravation of the disease process, and greatly improve the survival rate and life experience.

Holian maintains a long-term and close cooperation with the internationally renowned brand Invacare. The solenoid valves and control circuit boards for Invacare brand oxygen concentrators specially tailored by us are perfectly compatible and ensure the stable operation of Invacare oxygen concentrators. This high-quality adaptability is based on the in-depth understanding and technological integration of oxygen concentrators in the long-term cooperation between the two parties.

Not only that, Holian's solenoid valves and control circuit boards are the preferred spare parts for many oxygen concentrator maintenance and support enterprises. Behind this is the strict control of quality. Each solenoid valve is made through fine craftsmanship, and each control circuit board carries advanced technology to ensure high precision and high stability. Whether in response to complex working environments or long-term usage needs, Holian accessories can show excellent performance. Choosing Holian means choosing reliable and durable oxygen concentrator accessories, providing a solid backing for the continuous operation and maintenance support of oxygen concentrators and enabling oxygen concentrators to continue to play a key role in the field of health protection.