Oxygen sensors play a critical role in oxygen therapy, ensuring a patient receives the proper prescribed amount of oxygen for treatment. When you shop for an oxygen concentrator, look for a machine with an oxygen sensor.
What is an Oxygen Sensor?
An oxygen sensor monitors the percentage of oxygen being delivered during oxygen therapy. When the O2 concentration goes out of range, the sensor lets you know.
What Does an Oxygen Sensor Do?
An oxygen sensor continually measures the amount of oxygen you receive during treatment. Low oxygen concentrations are quickly brought to the attention of the user with indicator lights on the oxygen concentrator.
Types of Oxygen Sensors
Oxygen sensors are used across many industries. You can find oxygen sensors in car engines and in various types of medical equipment that depend on precise quantities of oxygen for effective performance.
How Does an Oxygen Sensor Work in an Oxygen Concentrator?
Oxygen sensors measure oxygen concentration in breathing gas mixtures. An oxygen concentrator does not bring in pure oxygen from a tank. Rather it converts ambient air into oxygen, which means the oxygen sensor must constantly gauge oxygen purity as it is distilled from the other gases found in the air.
Understanding Oxygen Purity and its Importance
The level of oxygen purity is essential for maintaining effective oxygen therapy. Medical grade oxygen for an oxygen concentrator should be no less than 90.0% and no more than 96.0%. It’s also important to consider your altitude level when looking at ideal oxygen saturation levels.
How to Test the Oxygen Purity of an Oxygen Concentrator
If you find that your oxygen therapy is becoming less effective, then there may be a problem with your oxygen concentrator. You will notice that you are fatigued or winded even after oxygen therapy. Contact the supplier of your oxygen concentrator for an oxygen purity assessment.
How is an Oxygen Sensor Different from an Oxygen Regulator?
An oxygen sensor gauges the volume of pure oxygen. Sensors can be found on some oxygen concentrators. A oxygen regulator controls air pressure and flow and is found on supplemental oxygen tanks. Oxygen regulators are essential for ensuring that you are receiving the correct amount of oxygen if using tank.
Oxygen Concentrators with Built-In Oxygen Sensors
For more peace of mind, select an oxygen concentrator with a built-in oxygen sensor. Here are two oxygen concentrators that offer this useful feature.
The Inogen One G4 Oxygen Concentrator is an exclusive oxygen concentrator with a built-in oxygen sensor. It’s also one of the light and smallest portable oxygen concentrators available.
For home use, the Philips Respironics Everflo Oxygen Concentrator also includes an oxygen purity indicator. It is a lightweight, compact solution for your oxygen delivery needs which can easily fit in your home without obstructing your routine.
