Hello all. The following is a guest post from Scott Ridl
When patients are instructed to begin oxygen therapy, they
have two choices: oxygen
concentrators and liquid oxygen. The main difference between an oxygen
concentrator and a liquid oxygen tank is how the oxygen is supplied: an oxygen
concentrator creates oxygen from the air around it, while liquid oxygen tanks
store oxygen in liquid form to save space.
Core Differences: Oxygen
Concentrators and Liquid Oxygen
Both methods of supplying oxygen to patients have their
advantages and disadvantages, as well as important considerations to keep in
mind when using them.
Power: One of the
main differences between an oxygen concentrator and liquid oxygen, also called
LOX, is the need for a power source. Liquid oxygen tanks do not require any
electricity, as the pressurization delivers the oxygen in the tank itself.
Oxygen concentrators, on the other hand, must be plugged in or use a battery to
supply power to the unit. While portable oxygen concentrators are useful in
that you don’t have to lug around a heavy tank, it can be difficult if you’ve
run out of batteries or the power is out — and you don’t have any backups.
Oxygen Supply:
Because oxygen concentrators create the oxygen the patient breathes, it does
not require a store of oxygen as tanks do. Liquid oxygen tanks must be replaced
at least once every one to two weeks — once the supply in a single tank is
gone, there is no more oxygen. This can be inconvenient for patients who would
like to spend time outside of the home, or even dangerous for patients who have
particularly serious illnesses.
Size: Most liquid
oxygen tanks are large, heavy and unwieldy. This can make it very complicated
or even impossible to move around — leading to many oxygen users who feel
trapped at home. Oxygen concentrators, on the other hand, are made for
portability.
Cost: The upfront
cost of a portable oxygen concentrator may put off some users, but the cost of
a liquid oxygen tank is ongoing — you must continuously have your new oxygen
tanks delivered, and old ones picked up. Because this happens so frequently,
the costs can add up well beyond the initial investment of an oxygen
concentrator.
Leaks: Liquid
oxygen tanks may also experience leaks — not only does this waste oxygen, it
creates an increased risk of a fire. While oxygen itself is not flammable, too
much oxygen in the ambient air creates an environment in which a fire burns
more rapidly and intensely.
Travel Capability:
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, compressed or liquid oxygen
is not permitted on flights. Some airlines may allow portable oxygen
concentrators or provide oxygen service, but this can be worrisome for patients
who require continuous oxygen and use liquid or compressed oxygen tanks.
There has been some concern among patients who use portable
oxygen concentrators regarding the units’ ability to be used at high altitudes,
considering that liquid tanks are not permitted on airplanes. Most oxygen
concentrators can be safely used at high altitudes — they may work less
efficiently, however, and some may cease to function at exceptional elevations.
Portable oxygen concentrators often come with operating ranges, which include
not only temperatures but altitude.
One study, for example, completed for the National Space
Biomedical Research Institute, evaluated both the SeQual Eclipse and SeQual
Integra oxygen concentrators at 30,000 feet — well above their “intended”
altitudes. The SeQual Eclipse II, an older model, “failed to operate above
22,000 feet,” though power consumption decreased and battery life increased before
then at lower, but still high, altitudes.
The SeQual Eclipse 5 has an operating range of up to 13,123
feet, while the Respironics
SimplyGo can go up to 10,000 feet. No adjustments have to be made to the
unit to operate at these higher altitudes, but patients should be aware of the
differences before flying — namely, that the unit may cease to operate at
certain altitudes.
Portable oxygen concentrators all have operating ranges that
begin at sea level, and there aren’t many places on earth that are below that
altitude. Since oxygen concentrators only showed signs of varying functionality
at altitudes well above their intended operating ranges, patients can feel safe
and secure knowing that their portable oxygen concentrators are by their sides.
Sources:
- Federal Aviation Administration. Oxygen (compressed or liquid). https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=34
- National Space Biomedical Research Institute. Evaluation of Oxygen Concentrators at Altitude. http://nsbri.org/researches/evaluation-of-oxygen-concentrators-at-altitude/
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