India continues to battle the coronavirus.The good news is that the number of cases in the country has dropped over the past 24 hours.There were 329,000 new cases and 3,876 deaths.The number of cases remains high, and many patients are coping with declining oxygen levels.Therefore, there is a high demand for oxygen concentrators or generators across the country.
An oxygen concentrator works the same way as an oxygen cylinder or tank.They inhale air from the environment, remove unwanted gases, concentrate the oxygen, and blow it through a tube so the patient can breathe pure oxygen.The advantage here is that the concentrator is portable and can work 24×7, unlike an oxygen tank.
There is also a lot of confusion about oxygen concentrators as demand increases.Most people in need are unaware of their property, and fraudsters are trying to take advantage of the situation and sell the concentrator for a higher price.So, if you’re thinking of buying one, here are 10 things to keep in mind -
Point 1 is important to know who needs an oxygen concentrator and when.The concentrator can be used by any Covid-19 affected patient who is dealing with breathing problems.Under normal conditions, our bodies operate at 21% oxygen.During Covid, demand rises and your body may need more than 90% concentrated oxygen.Concentrators can provide 90% to 94% oxygen.
Point 2 Patients and their families need to remember that if the oxygen level is below 90%, the oxygen generator may not be sufficient and they will need to go to the hospital.This is because most oxygen concentrators can provide 5 to 10 liters of oxygen per minute.
There are two types of point 3 concentrators.If the patient is recovering at home, you should buy a home oxygen concentrator.It’s big to provide more oxygen, but weighs at least 14-15kg and requires direct power to work.Anything lighter than that is likely to be an inferior product.
Point 4 If the patient must travel or needs to be hospitalized, you should purchase a portable oxygen concentrator.They’re designed to be carried around, don’t require direct power, and can be charged like a smartphone.However, they provide only a limited amount of oxygen per minute and are only a temporary solution.
Point 5 Check the capacity of the concentrator.They are mainly available in two sizes – 5L and 10L.The first can provide 5 liters of oxygen in one minute, while the 10L concentrator can provide 10 liters of oxygen in one minute.You will find most portable concentrators with a 5L capacity, which should be the minimum requirement.We recommend that you choose the 10L size.
Point 6 The most important thing buyers need to understand is that each concentrator has a different level of oxygen concentration.Some of them promise 87% oxygen, while others promise up to 93% oxygen.It will be best if you choose a concentrator that can provide about 93% oxygen concentration.
Point 7 – The concentration capacity of the machine is more important than the flow rate.This is because when oxygen levels drop, you will need more concentrated oxygen.So, if the level is 80 and the concentrator can deliver 10 liters of oxygen per minute, that’s not much use.
Point 8 Buy only from trusted brands.There are many brands and websites selling oxygen concentrators in the country.Not everyone ensure quality. Compared with those world famous brands (Such as Siemens, Johnson, and Philips), some of the Chinese brands do provide the oxygen concentrators that Covid-19 patients need with high standard, excellent performance, various options , but better price.
Point 9 Beware of scammers when buying a concentrator.There are many people who use WhatsApp and social media platforms to sell concentrators.You need to avoid them completely as most of them can be scams.Instead, you should try to buy an oxygen concentrator from a medical device dealer or an official dealer.This is because these places can guarantee that the equipment is genuine and certified.
Point 10 Don’t overpay.Many sellers also try to overcharge customers who desperately need a concentrator.Chinese and Indian brands sell for around Rs 50,000 to 55,000 per minute with a capacity of 5 liters. Some of the dealer sells only one model in India, and its market price is around Rs 65,000.For a 10-liter Chinese brand thickener, the price is around Rs 95,000 to 110,000.For US branded concentrators, the price is between Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 175,000.
You should also consult with doctors, hospitals and others with medical expertise before purchasing.
Post time: Jul-11-2022