What are oxygen delivery systems for oxygen therapy?
The oxygen used in oxygen therapy can be delivered in a few different ways:
- Concentrators. Concentrators take oxygen from the air. They are the least expensive. Standard concentrators need to be plugged into a power outlet and, at about 30 lb (14 kg), are fairly heavy. A standard oxygen concentrator is typically used in the home. Portable concentrators are also available. These usually have rechargeable batteries, are lighter, and may be used while traveling.
- Cylinders, or tanks, of compressed or pressurized oxygen gas. Tanks come in several sizes. The largest are too heavy to move around. Smaller tanks can be carried or pulled in a small cart. You might use a large tank as backup in your home and have smaller tanks for use outside the home.
- Liquid oxygen. Liquid oxygen takes up less room than oxygen gas. Because of this, smaller and lighter containers can hold more oxygen.
There are two ways to get the oxygen into your lungs:
- Nasal cannula. The nasal cannula is a flexible plastic tube inserted in the nostrils. It gives you the greatest freedom for moving around and talking. But this method may be more expensive than other devices because of oxygen lost to the air. The amount of oxygen actually inhaled may be less than with other methods of delivery.
- Face mask. People who need a higher flow of oxygen can use a face mask. But a face mask is less portable and gets in the way of talking and eating. You might use a face mask at night and a nasal cannula during the day.
Choosing the type of oxygen supply is usually based on your ability to move around. People who seldom leave the house may find an oxygen concentrator gives the best combination of convenience and cost. More active people may have an oxygen concentrator at home and use a portable oxygen tank when they leave the house.
