Oxygen concentrators can be life-extending machines for people with chronic breathing problems. They take in the regular air that most of us breathe and purify it, so that what the patient receives is almost pure oxygen. That, in turn, means the oxygen taken into the bloodstream and lungs contains none of the other gases that might interfere with good oxygen delivery. As a result, the heart doesn't have to work so hard to maintain the body.

The simplest oxygen concentrator is capable of continuous delivery of oxygen and has internal functions based around two cylinders, filled with a zeolite material, which selectively adsorbs the nitrogen in the air. In each cycle, air flows through one cylinder at a pressure of around 20 lbf/in² (138 kPa, or 1.36 atmospheres) where the nitrogen molecules are captured by the zeolite, while the other cylinder is vented off to ambient atmospheric pressure allowing the captured nitrogen to dissipate.

Typical units have cycles of around 20 seconds, and allow for a continuous supply of oxygen at a flow rate of up to approximately five liters per minute (LPM) at concentrations anywhere from 50 to 95 %. This process is called pressure swing adsorption (PSA).[1] Since 1999, concentrators providing up to 10 LPM have been available for high flow patients, in sizes not much larger or heavier than 5 LPM concentrators.

Electrical Requirements: 120 VAC ± 10% (132 VAC/108 VAC), 60 Hz

220Volt Transformer Included

Rated Current Input: 3 A

Sound Level: 44 ± 2 dBA Average for IRC5P Models

40 ± 2 dBA Average for IRC5PW Models

Altitude: Up to 6,000 ft (1828 meters) above sea level

without degradation of concentration levels.

From 6,000 ft (1828 meters) to 13,129 ft (4000

meters) below 90% efficiency.

*Oxygen Output

Concentration Levels:

87% to 95.6% for flows ranging at 0.5 to 5 L/min

Maximum Outlet Pressure: 5 psi ± 0.5 psi (34.5 kPa ± 3.45 kPa)

Flow Range: 0.5 to 5 L/min

For flowrates less than 1 L/min, we recommend

the use of the Invacare Pediatric Flowmeter

IRCPF16 Accessory.

Low Flow Alarm: 0 L/min to 0.5 L/min

Rapid Audible Alarm Beeping (No

Accessories Connected).

Average Power

Consumption:

280 W (Operating @ 3 L/min)

Pressure Relief Mechanism

Operational at:

35 psi ± 3.5 psi (241 kPa ± 24.1 kPa)

Change in maximum recommended

flow when back

pressure of 7kPa is applied:

0.7 L/min

Filters: Cabinet, Outlet HEPA and Compressor Inlet

Safety System: Current overload or line surge shutdown. High

temperature compressor shutdown. High Pressure

Alarm w/compressor shutdown. Low

Pressure Alarm w/compressor shutdown. Battery

Free Power Loss Alarm. SensO

System (SensO

2 Oxygen2 Model) Low Flow Alarm.