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Types of Home Oxygen Systems for Breathing

Oxygen therapy is available from in-home patient treatment in a variety of forms. While the air we breathe is 21 percent oxygen, oxygen concentrators provide 100 percent oxygen. A home oxygen system provides oxygen in its pure form. Oxygen provided by an oxygen concentrator is a nonaddictive drug that needs a physician's prescription. Depending on the specific oxygen needs of the patient, the physician may prescribe one of three types of home oxygen systems.

  1. Oxygen Concentrators

    • A home unit oxygen concentrator is about the size of a large suitcase. Powered by electricity, it draws air from the room into the machine and separates out the pure oxygen. A small nasal cannula slips into the patient's nostrils to deliver the concentrated oxygen. Patients can easily attach different lengths of tubing to the cannula and oxygen concentrator to allow them more movement within their home. Portable, battery-operated oxygen concentrators are available for days when the patient needs to leave home. While the patient's insurance may cover the cost of an oxygen concentrator, the insurance doesn't cover the cost of electricity to operate the machine.

    Liquid Oxygen

    • Liquid oxygen units don't require electricity to operate, so it's a good choice in areas with frequent power outages. A large tank for the liquid oxygen is set up in the house in a cool, well-ventilated spot. The patient then fills smaller tanks with liquid oxygen. The smaller, portable tanks, which weigh between 5 to 13 pounds, allow the oxygen to pass from its cold, liquid state, back into a gas for the patient to breathe. Patients place the tank in a carrying sling to wear over their shoulder, or they place the tank in a small cart. Tubing connects the tank to a nasal cannula. A smaller tank may provide up to 10 hours of air. The larger tank typically needs filling every two weeks. Some patients say the liquid oxygen system is more difficult to operate than other home respiratory systems.

    Compressed Oxygen

    • Probably the most familiar type of home oxygen therapy is the compressed oxygen tank. Large oxygen tanks are not easy to move. Smaller tanks are available for the patients to use when they must leave their homes. The company providing the oxygen also provides regulators and flow meters so the patient can set the flow rate of the oxygen and can determine the amount of oxygen left in the tank. Often doctors prescribe this type of oxygen for occasional use, such as when the patient is doing physical activity.

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