How to Choose the Right Oxygen Conserver for Your Needs
Pulsed oxygen therapy refers to the oxygen delivery in the form of short bursts or ‘pulses’ that coincide with the patient’s inhalation. This way, not only does the patient receive a steady flow of oxygen, but the lifespan of the oxygen cylinder or tank is also extended. To achieve this pulsed flow, oxygen conservers are employed with the oxygen cylinders. But what are these devices and how do they work? How to choose the right oxygen conserver for a patient?
The nasal route is preferred for pulsed oxygen delivery while using an oxygen conserver
In this article, we will address the question of how to choose the right oxygen conserver that can fulfill your or your patient’s oxygen needs. In addition, some well-known respiratory product brands are also listed for the reader’s convenience.
What are Oxygen Conservers?
Oxygen conservers, also known as oxygen conserving devices (OCD) or demand oxygen delivery systems, are the respiratory aid systems that adjust the oxygen flow depending upon the patient’s breathing pattern. When the patient inhales, the device allows the flow of oxygen to the nasal cannula or the face mask.
The benefits of these devices are two-fold: they support the patient’s natural breathing pattern and conserve oxygen by preventing wastage during exhalation.
However, as soon as exhalation starts, the system restricts oxygen transfer from the cylinder to the cannula/mask. This way, these oxygen conservers, as the name suggests, conserve a significant amount of oxygen and increase the life of the cylinder. Their use within home settings as well as in healthcare facilities is equally important.
How to Choose the Right Oxygen Conserver?
When it comes to learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, it is important to go through all the features of the product as well as the patient’s requirements. This way, you can check if it is suitable for your patient and can fulfil their respiratory demands. In this regard, the following parameters should be looked into before deciding on an oxygen conserver:
Ease of Usage
Even though oxygen conservers are easy-to-use systems, a product that does not require learning regarding its operation should be chosen. When it comes to learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, keep in mind that an easy-to-use system is especially helpful for patients who have limited dexterity.
Flow Rate
Flow rate is the amount of oxygen that gets transferred from the oxygen cylinder to the nasal cannula/face mask in a specified time. A suitable flow rate is suggested by the physician depending upon a patient’s condition as well as the oxygen needs of the body.
While learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, keep in mind that the device must be able to deliver the prescribed flow rate in liters per minute or LPM. In most cases, the oxygen conservers offer a wide range of flow rate options that cover the requirements for most patients.
Method of Delivery
While using an oxygen conserver, one can also decide if the oxygen being delivered to the patient should be pulsed or continuous. In case of a pulsed delivery, oxygen flow is hindered every time the patient exhales. However, this hindrance is removed in the case of a continuous flow.
Even though the pulsed oxygen delivery saves oxygen and allows the cylinder to last longer, the choice depends upon the physician’s analysis of the patient’s oxygen requirements. Therefore, when it comes to learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, you should either choose a device that has both delivery options or one that has the one that is needed.
Many chronic lung conditions require management with oxygen supplementation
Patient’s Activity Level
As oxygen supplementation therapy is not limited to patients who are hospitalized or bedridden, people who have a significantly higher activity level also use cylinders to support the natural breathing process. In this regard, carrying a heavier oxygen cylinder restricts movement and creates an unnecessary hassle for the patients.
Here, the role of an oxygen conserver becomes important. As these systems increase the life of the oxygen cylinder, a smaller and portable oxygen source can be used by the patients during traveling or performing outdoor activities. Additionally, when it comes to learning how to choose the right oxygen conserver for traveling, also look into the battery life as well as the charging options of the system.
Breathing Route
While learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, it is also essential to look into the breathing route that is to be used. Although these respiratory assisting tools can be used with nasal cannulas as well as face masks, the pulsed dose settings work best with nasal oxygen delivery.
Durability
Another feature to look into while learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver is the durability it offer. This is not a concern with disposable options, but the ones that can be reused should be checked for their reliability and durability.
Easy Maintenance
Apart from the above-mentioned features, while learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, it is also essential to select a product that is easy to maintain as well. This should include easy cleaning requirements that cover the washing of the filters as well.
Most oxygen conservers can be washed using a mild soap and water solution, followed by drying in the air. Once completely dried, the parts can be reassembled.
Oxygen supplementation using conservers supports the patient’s natural breathing pattern
Oxygen Conservers at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Oxygen conservers are the tools that provide oxygen to patients dealing with respiratory issues during inhalation. As the device has been designed to hinder the oxygen flow when the patient breathes out, it is known for increasing the overall lifespan of an oxygen source.
When it comes to learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, it is also essential to look into some of the products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:
Oxymizer® Disposable Oxygen Conserver
US$449.88
Product Details
Oxymizer disposable oxygen conserver is a medical tool employed for delivering oxygen to patients in a pulsed manner. The device detects the breathing pattern of the patient and aligns the oxygen flow with the inhalation. However, as soon as the breathing enters the exhalation phase, the oxygen conserver reduces the supply of oxygen into the nasal cannula or face mask. By doing so, oxygen is conserved by a 4:1 saving ratio and does not get wasted.
While learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, the style of the product is often a concern. In this regard, these Oxymizer disposable oxygen conservers are constructed in two styles. One is the mustache style that snugly fits beneath the nose, while the other is the pendant style oxygen conserver that is worn under the clothes around the neck. This way, performing activities like talking, drinking, or eating is eased.
Moreover, these Oxymizer disposable oxygen conservers are compatible with oxygen and oxygen-rich air and can provide a streamlined high-flow oxygen therapy with minimum wastage. As for the flow rate, the system can be operated at a value of 15 liters per minute (LPM).
Furthermore, these Oxymizer disposable oxygen conservers can be easily connected with compressed gas cylinders, concentrators, liquid oxygen systems, etc. When it comes to learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, the maintenance requirements are a major concern. In case of these Oxymizer disposable oxygen conservers, this is not a problem as the products are single-use and do not need cleaning or washing.
Another feature of these Oxymizer disposable oxygen conservers is their versatile design. The product is highly adaptive as well and can be employed for patients belonging to different age groups, from children to the elderly. For best performance, the product should be operated between the operational temperature ranges of 5°C to 40°C (41°F to 104°F). As for the operational humidity, these Oxymizer disposable oxygen conservers work best between 15% to 93% of humidity values.
Owing to their exceptional features, these Oxymizer disposable oxygen conservers are suitable for use within home settings as well as in healthcare facilities to fulfill the respiratory needs of patients dealing with breathing disorders. Each pack of these Oxymizer disposable oxygen conservers carries 24 disposable products that are available at the above-mentioned price.
Drive Medical Mini Oxygen Regulator 18302GMN
US$36.88
Product Details
Drive Medical 18302GMN mini oxygen regulators are one of the widely used medical tools when it comes to providing respiratory therapy to patients. These are small-sized items that can handle the job as well as the standard-sized regulators. Furthermore, the product offers a flow rate between the range of 0 and 15 liters of oxygen per minute (LPM).
As for their features, these Drive Medical mini oxygen regulators offer an inlet pressure range of 300 to 3000 psi, while the value of 50 psi is associated with the outlet pressure. In addition, the system also has a barb outlet as well as a CGA-870 connector. To add to the overall reliability of the product, these Drive Medical mini oxygen regulators are also UL-approved.
When it comes to learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver or oxygen regulator, it is important to look into the size of the product. In this regard, these Drive Medical mini oxygen regulators are constructed as compact systems that are smaller in size and have a lighter weight. This way, the product can be fitted into a carrying case.
Drive Medical Oxygen Regulator 18301G
18301G REGULATOR, O2 DE CYLINDER REG
US$24.88
Product Details
Drive Medical 18301G oxygen regulators have similar features to those of the above-mentioned product. However, these differ in terms of the flow rate options they offer. These Drive Medical 18301G oxygen regulators can provide oxygen at a rate of 0 to 8 liters per minute or LPM.
While learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, selecting a product that offers the required flow rate is essential; the same goes for choosing oxygen regulators. Therefore, having a product in two different flow rate options provides a choice to the buyers.
*Note: The prices of these items mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
Oxygen conservers are also useful for patients who are bedridden or hospitalized
The products mentioned in this article, while learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of respiratory products.
Conclusion
Oxygen supplementation is common among individuals who are dealing with certain respiratory conditions. This is done by using oxygen cylinders or tanks that deliver oxygen to the patients via the nasal or oral route. This supplemented oxygen fulfills the patient’s requirements by supporting the energy-producing functions of the body.
While learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, it is important to look into the patient’s requirements as well as the physician’s recommendations. Keeping this in mind, the features like durability, reliability, ease of usage, portability, as well as flow rate should be considered.
In addition, an oxygen conserver that is easy to maintain is also ideal as it does not put a lot of burden on the user. In summary, a product that fulfills all the requirements should be given preference.
Considering their importance, oxygen conservers should be kept in healthcare facilities as well as in home settings to use whenever necessary. For purchasing different types of oxygen conservers as well as other respiratory aid products after learning about how to choose the right oxygen conserver, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
