The oxygen concentrator is the device which is capable to receive oxygen from atmospheric air by method of molecular filtration. Different types of concentrators which differ on ability to produce oxygen with certain values of a stream and also according to the destination are issued. For example, there are oxygen concentrators of desktop type which are intended for an oxygenotherapy and also can be used for preparation of oxygen cocktails. Also there are stationary oxygen concentrators which are intended for providing with oxygen both points for an oxygenotherapy, and devices for artificial ventilation of the lungs (depending on model). Such concentrators have the special quick disconnect gas valve for connection to them an oxygen hose from a respirator.
Capacity of the oxygen concentrator depends on model type. It is necessary for carrying out IVL that the oxygen concentrator had ability to give rather high stream of oxygen and also that oxygen concentration in output mix also was rather high. Requirements to desktop the oxygen concentrator it is slightly less as they are intended for carrying out an oxygenotherapy and are not adapted for supply with oxygen of devices for artificial ventilation of the lungs.
From the beginning of a pandemic of a koronavirusny infection 2020 many healthcare institutions faced the shortage of oxygen points. It was connected first of all with mass arrival of patients from whom most part needed at least oxygen support and as at most — in carrying out IVL with rather high values of oxygen concentration in inhaled mixes. Some institutions perform treatment of a koronavirusny infection with use of such hi-tech methods as extracorporal membrane oxygenation that also demands oxygen expenses. In this aspect use of oxygen concentrators was especially valuable as the concentrator allows to equip an oxygen point even in that place where in principle there is no centralized oxygen eyeliner and by that to release crucial stationary oxygen points for connection of the respiratory equipment.
For providing with oxygen can be used as the desktop oxygen concentrators intended for the equipment of points for carrying out an oxygenotherapy to patients with a koronavirusny infection and stationary concentrators by means of which (depending on model) it is possible to provide with point oxygen for an oxygenotherapy or medical ventilators in intensive care units and by that to expand the final power of such office. All this has exclusive value in the conditions of high load of healthcare institutions and shortages both the total number of beds, and beds of an intensive care and resuscitation.
The stationary oxygen concentrators intended for work with ventilators can have also built-in compressor of compressed air that allows to work with them without use of the external compressor. Such concentrator allows to provide completely a respirator with oxygen and compressed air. Some models of the oxygen concentrators intended for providing medical ventilators with oxygen have two exits for oxygen and compressed air that allows to ensure one concentrator functioning of two fans at once. All this is also important very much at mass arrival of patients.
If the oxygen concentrator is going to be used for rendering acute management to patients, then it is always necessary to consider the speed of an exit of concrete model to the set stream and the set oxygen concentration in output mix. If rather long time for this purpose is required, then for rendering acute management it is necessary to use the centralized oxygen distributing, and in the subsequent to transfer the patient to use of the oxygen concentrator if there are such opportunity and need.
In addition to use of oxygen concentrators at patients with critical states, during acute disease, oxygen concentrators can be also used for treatment of patients at a restoration stage. For example, many models of oxygen concentrators allow to carry out to patients of inhalation and also to cook oxygen cocktails. In addition, oxygen concentrators can be used for carrying out a house oxygenotherapy at patients with consequences of a koronavirusny infection.