Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: chris on 02/02/2014 22:43:11

Title: How does a home oxygenator for COPD patients work?
Post by: chris on 02/02/2014 22:43:11

Patients with chronic lung diseases sometimes use powered oxygenating machines, which enrich room air and deliver the result to the patient through (usually) nasal cannulae.

How do these oxygenating devices work?

Title: Re: How does a home oxygenator for COPD patients work?
Post by: CliffordK on 03/02/2014 20:46:04

The devices are called "Oxygen Concentrators (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_concentrator)". 

Apparently they would be better termed as a Nitrogen scrubber. 
Ambient air is brought into the system and compressed into a zeolite chamber. 
The zeolite absorbs the nitrogen out of the air, leaving the oxygen and other minor constituents (CO₂, Argon, etc).
The concentrated Oxygen, is then transferred into another chamber for pressure equalization and delivery to the patient.
The pressure is reduced in the zeolite chamber releasing the nitrogen which is expelled from the system and the cycle is repeated.

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I had a neighbor who had bad emphysema and was dependent on oxygen bottles for doing just about anything outside, and I think he also had an oxygen concentrator for use in the house. 
Anyway, they decided to try him on positive airway pressure (PAP (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_airway_pressure), or CPAP (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_positive_airway_pressure)) at night.  The device works on by increasing pressure in the airways, and requires a full mask rather than a nasal cannula.  In my neighbor's case, however, he was able to almost completely wean off from requiring supplemental oxygen during the days.  It was a significant benefit for him.

Title: Re: How does a home oxygenator for COPD patients work?
Post by: chris on 07/02/2014 09:10:08

Thanks Clifford. I'll squirrel that knowledge away for the future!

Title: Re: How does a home oxygenator for COPD patients work?
Post by: duncanweishaar767 on 07/06/2021 10:10:02

Home oxygenators are typically supplied to patients by a network of home-based oxygen partners. There is an automated telemedicine consultation between the doctor and the patient in order to make sure that the correct machine is ordered including dial types, flow rates, size of cannula etc.

The consultation also ensures that there isn't any contraindications for CPAP therapy or mechanical ventilation (such as obesity). The nurses will give advice on expected usage of medical appliances and mobilize social support from family members etc. This service is just like visiting your local GP where you have routine checkups, multiple conditions (by virtue of being part of a coexisting illness) and regular adjustments are required for your medication.