Static home concentrator machines
Oxygen concentrator machines work by taking the air around you and converting it into oxygen. You may be supplied with a specific oxygen concentrator machine because of the flow rate of oxygen you need for your home oxygen therapy. Depending on the flow rate ordered by your Healthcare Professional, we may need to install multiple concentrators joined together.
It is important to remember that some flow rates are very low and you may feel as if there is no oxygen coming out of the machine. If you think that the concentrator machine is not delivering any oxygen, remove the cannula from the tubing, place the end of the tubing into some water and check for bubbles – the bubbles will show that the concentrator machine is working. The concentrator machine may make a slight humming noise when it is in use – a little bit like a fridge.
Before using your oxygen concentrator machine, you should become familiar with its parts. The flow rate will be set to the ordered flow by your Healthcare Technician. Any changes to the flow rate should be done only if recommended by your Healthcare Professional.
| Technical Data – AirSep Newlife Elite concentrator machine | |
| Flow range (standard) |
1-5 lpm (0.5 lpm increments) |
| Flow range (low flow) |
0.1-2 lpm (0.1 lpm increments) |
| Flow range (high flow) |
2-8 lpm (0.5 lpm increments) |
| Weight | 24.5kg (54lb) |
| Height | 68cm (26.7ins) |
| Width | 38cm (14.9ins) |
| Depth | 28cm (11ins) |
- On/Off switch
- Flowmeter/adjustment knob
- Oxygen outlet
- Indicator light
- Handle grip/side handles
- Filter
- Power cord
- Circuit breaker reset button
- Hour meter
Caution
- Ensure the concentrator machine is kept upright at all times.
- Plug your concentrator machine into the mains, do not use an extension lead.
- Make sure the flow rate on the concentrator machine is set to the flow rate ordered by the Healthcare Professional.
- Do not restrict the ventilation around the concentrator.
| Technical Data – AirSep VisionAire 3 concentrator machine | |
| Flow range | 0.5-3 lpm (0.5 lpm increments) |
| Weight | 13kg (28.6lb) |
| Height | 57cm (22.4ins) |
| Width | 34cm (13.3ins) |
| Depth | 28cm (11ins) |
- On/Off switch
- Flowmeter/adjustment knob
- Oxygen outlet
- Indicator light
- Handle grip
- Power cord
- Circuit breaker reset button
- Hour meter
Caution
- Ensure the concentrator machine is kept upright at all times.
- Plug your concentrator machine into the mains, do not use an extension lead.
- Make sure the flow rate on the concentrator machine is set to the flow rate ordered by the Healthcare Professional.
- Do not restrict the ventilation around the concentrator.
| Technical Data – Respironics Millennium concentrator machine | |
| Flow range | 0.1-1 lpm (0.1 lpm increments) |
| Weight | 21.7kg (48lb) |
| Height | 60cm (23.6ins) |
| Width | 43cm (16.9ins) |
| Depth | 28cm (11ins) |
- On/Off switch
- Flowmeter/adjustment knob
- Oxygen outlet
- Indicator lights
- Handle grip
- Filter
- Power cord
- Hour meter
- On some models the hour meter can be located here
Caution
- Ensure the concentrator machine is kept upright at all times.
- Plug your concentrator machine into the mains, do not use an extension lead.
- Make sure the flow rate on the concentrator machine is set to the flow rate ordered by the Healthcare Professional.
- Do not restrict the ventilation around the concentrator.
| Technical Data – DeVilbiss concentrator machine | |
| Flow range | 1-4 lpm (0.5 lpm increments) |
| Weight | 22.7kg (50lb) |
| Height | 70.5cm (27.7ins) |
| Width | 40.6cm (15.9ins) |
| Depth | 35.6cm (14ins) |
- On/Off switch
- Flowmeter/adjustment knob
- Oxygen outlet
- Indicator lights
- Handle grip
- Filter (on reverse)
- Power cord (on reverse)
- Circuit breaker reset button
- Hour meter (internal)
Caution
- Ensure the concentrator machine is kept upright at all times.
- Plug your concentrator machine into the mains, do not use an extension lead.
- Make sure the flow rate on the concentrator machine is set to the flow rate ordered by the Healthcare Professional.
- Do not restrict the ventilation around the concentrator.
You should wipe the outside case of the concentrator machine regularly with a damp cloth. Please be careful if you move the concentrator machine as it is heavy.
The first service for your concentrator machine will take place by our Healthcare Technician after three months. Thereafter, we will service the concentrator machine every six months, but in between these services we ask that you do some simple maintenance.
The most important thing to do is to clean the filter in the concentrator machine at least once a week (excluding the VisionAire). To do this you should take the filter out of the concentrator machine and place your spare filter in the concentrator machine. If you don’t have a spare filter, please call us, or ask your Healthcare Technician when they next visit.
Rinse the filter in warm water, then squeeze all the excess out and leave the filter to dry; you should make sure that the filter is totally dry before you put it in the concentrator machine again.
A piped home oxygen therapy system involves connecting clear plastic tubing (5mm diameter) from your concentrator machine to convenient points around your home.
A piped-in system allows you to receive home oxygen therapy in different rooms without having to move the concentrator machine, have cylinders placed around your home or have loose tubing trailing around the house which can present a trip hazard. A piped-in system helps prevent trips and falls. If your needs change, you don’t have a piped-in system and you feel it would be appropriate, or you would like more information, please contact us.
- Our Healthcare Technician will complete a survey and risk assessment, then talk to you about the best location for the concentrator machine.
- A wall tap will be placed in a suitable location to direct oxygen to the rooms where you need it (see images to the left). The wall tap will be attached with a length of loose tubing to enable movement around the room.
- Tubing will be attached to skirting boards and door frames.
- For safety, firebreaks will be fitted in the tubing. These must not be removed.
- This will be fitted with a cannula or mask depending on your home oxygen therapy order.
- A hole (10mm wide) may need to be drilled through walls or a ceiling to access rooms where you want the oxygen outlet.
- It is important that you only use tubing and masks/cannula which have been supplied by us.
Caution
You must turn your concentrator machine off when it is not in use.
Checking your piped oxygen system
If you feel you are not getting the right amount of oxygen from the concentrator machine using a piped oxygen system:
- Switch your concentrator machine on.
- Ensure the outlet you want is selected on the wall tap.
- Check the flow is set to the ordered rate.
- Remove the cannula or mask and block the tubing with your thumb (see photo to the left). Check that the ball in the concentrator machine flowmeter drops to the bottom of the flow gauge. If it does, the piped-in system is fine.
- If the ball does not drop, ensure the outlet you want is selected, the tubing is connected to the concentrator machine and the outlet connector is fitted tightly. If this does not resolve the problem then turn the concentrator machine off, use your back up cylinder and call us.
