lung and airway disorders
Oxygen Therapy
Oxygen delivery systems
Oxygen for long-term home use is available from three different delivery systems: Oxygen concentrators Liquid oxygen systems Compressed gas systems Anoxygen concentratoris an electrically powered device that separates the oxygen from the nitrogen in the air, allowing a person with lung disease to receive purified oxygen. Because the system pulls oxygen from the room air, the person does not need to receive deliveries of oxygen. Although many of the devices also operate by battery as well, people should have a supply of oxygen available in case of a power or battery failure. With aliquid oxygen system,oxygen is stored as a very cold liquid. Much more oxygen can be stored as a liquid than as a gas, so a given size container can hold much more liquid oxygen. As the liquid oxygen is released, it turns back into a gas, and the person can breathe it in. With acompressed gas system,oxygen is stored in a metal tank under pressure and is released as the person breathes in. Inside the home, liquid and compressed gas systems use large tanks to store oxygen. These tanks are periodically refilled by a home care company. Small, portable tanks of compressed or liquid oxygen or a portable oxygen concentrator may be used outside the home. Each system has advantages and disadvantages. Oxygen sources should be closed tightly when not in use. Because oxygen is flammable and can cause an explosion, it is also important to keep tanks away from any sources of ignition, such as matches, heaters, or hair dryers.No one in the house should smoke when oxygen is in use. 