Portable Oxygen Generator

A portable oxygen generator, also known as a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) extracts oxygen from the surrounding air and delivers it to the patient. As the name implies it is easy to carry therefore extending the patients activities.

Portable Oxygen Generator - Provides Increased Mobility.

Portable oxygen generator is a machine that extracts oxygen from the air around us and delivers it in a more concentrated form.

Ambient or surrounding air has approximately 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen and the remaining small amount is made up of different gases. This air composition will vary with altitude (the higher up the less oxygen) and the pollution levels. Oxygen generators are made so they can separate the oxygen, concentrate it and deliver it as required - typically to patients that need supplemental oxygen.

There is some confusion between oxygen generators and oxygen concentrators as both terms are used to refer to the same type of oxygen delivery machines. The terms portable oxygen generators and portable oxygen concentrators are used interchangeably - especially in the medical area. 

The oxygen is delivered to the patient through a nose cannula (small tube) at a predetermined flow rate according to the prescription. Portable oxygen generators have the advantage of extracting oxygen and not storing it in tanks or cylinders. As they are powered by electricity (battery or direct plug in), they last much longer than compressed or even liquid oxygen.

In the United States the term oxygen concentrator is usually applied (this will also refer to the home units and to the portable ones).

There is a tendency to try and avoid confusion by referring to oxygen generators for the industrial machines, and concentrators for the medical ones. Having said that when you search the net for either units or even information you will find both terms being used.

In general terms you could say that there are different markets that need additional oxygen supplies:

• Medical
• Industrial.
• Beauty.
• Oxygen Bars.

1. Medical: Portable oxygen generator is fast becoming the best choice for patients who require additional oxygen and especially because they are receiving the benefit of increased mobility and this in turn translates into a better quality of life than they could expect if only using oxygen tanks or cylinders.
2. Industrial: An excellent example of industrial use is for aqua farming where extra oxygen is pumped into the fish pools to provide greater growth and health potential.
3. Beauty: In the beauty industry where it is thought that oxygen is beneficial to facial skin.
4. Oxygen Bars. These have been around for some time now. The idea is to provide aroma rich oxygen to customers and so getting the best of both worlds -aroma therapy and benefits of increased oxygen intake.
5. Underwater diving: The classical scuba diving gear, though tanks are the main type of oxygen delivery system.

Although these five different markets require oxygen, portable oxygen generators have become widely used by people who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and must have a regular or even a continuous oxygen supply.