There is approximately 21% oxygen gas in the air in the atmosphere. Oxygen gas enables most of the living things to survive on earth. Oxygen gas has been used for health since the 1800's. Nowadays, it has become almost indispensable for treatments especially in the respiratory field.
Under normal conditions, the amount of oxygen in the air is sufficient for a healthy person. However, people with respiratory conditions may need extra oxygen support other than airborne oxygen. There are 2 types of medical products that provide oxygen gas in accordance with health. These are oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators. The way of use in both types of devices is similar. Oxygen cylinders are refillable, while oxygen concentrators do not need refilling. Because oxygen concentrators produce the oxygen gas to be given to the patient. There is no such feature in oxygen tubes. These are available in different capacities. The oxygen gas in it decreases as it is used and needs to be filled again when it is finished. Oxygen cylinders have varieties according to the materials they are produced from, and their weights and usage purposes vary. Accessories used together vary depending on where and for what purpose the tube will be used. Oxygen cylinders can be used alone or with other devices.
The tubes in which the oxygen gas used for medical purposes is filled is called oxygen tube. These tubes are resistant to high pressure. The density of the oxygen gas in the oxygen cylinder is about 98%. Oxygen concentrators produce oxygen at approximately 90-95% density. This difference does not affect the user. However, some users say that when they use an oxygen cylinder, they get more efficiency than an oxygen concentrator.
Medical oxygen cylinders are produced in different capacities. This capacity is expressed in liters. The size of the tube increases as its capacity increases. There are steel and aluminum types according to the material from which the tube is made. Aluminum ones are lighter.
Oxygen cylinders up to 10 liter capacity are portable, regardless of whether they are aluminum or steel. Cylinders with a capacity of more than 10 liters are almost impossible to carry by one person. Portable oxygen cylinders are generally used in ambulances, hospital emergency units and homes. Since aluminum ones are lighter, they are also easier to carry and are preferred especially during patient transfer.
There is a central gas system in hospitals. Thanks to the installation installed in the hospital, medical oxygen gas can be delivered to every point of need such as patient rooms, doctor's offices, intensive care units and operating rooms. The gas used in the central system is stored either in large oxygen tanks or in many large oxygen cylinders (20, 30, 40 or 50 liters), depending on the capacity of the hospital.
There is high pressure gas inside the oxygen cylinders. As such, it is not possible to apply directly to the patient. The pressure must be reduced and made suitable for use. Medical tube manometers are used for this. Aluminum manometers with pin index (pin entry) are used because they are generally lighter in aluminum tubes. These are lighter than standard type manometers. If it is desired to use standard manometers in aluminum tubes, the connection part must be changed. All types of manometers can be used in all types of medical tubes, regardless of aluminum or steel. For this, it is sufficient that the connection part is compatible.
All oxygen devices should be used with the doctor's recommendation. When applying oxygen cylinders to the patient, unless a different parameter is specified in the report or prescription, the flow rate should be adjusted to a maximum of 2 liters per minute. Generally it is not recommended to be used above this.
Oxygen tubes can also be used by connecting to a different breathing apparatus. In such cases, the amount of oxygen needed by the patient is adjusted either on the device or on the manometer. When connecting to some respirators, the oxygen cylinder can be connected directly to the device without a manometer. This situation varies according to the feature of the device used.
Some consumables and accessories are needed when using the oxygen cylinder. These are materials such as an oxygen mask, oxygen cannula, oxygen catheter or water container. Market prices for these materials are generally inexpensive. It should be backed up ready to use. The mask attached to the oxygen tube is applied to the face in a way that includes the user's mouth and nose. It is fixed to the head thanks to its rubber. Nasal oxygen cannulas and catheters are used by placing them in the nostrils. The water container is to humidify the oxygen gas coming out of the tube. It is connected to the manometer.
Oxygen is a burning gas. For this reason, any oxygen device should not be approached with fire, machine oil, petroleum products or oily soaps. Oxygen cylinders contain high pressure oxygen gas. These tubes can be dangerous if they are not produced in accordance with the required standards. If the cylinder ruptures as a result of an accident and the intense oxygen gas released comes into contact with fire or oil, a huge explosion can occur. Also, in case of puncture, it can turn into a rocket due to the high pressure gas inside and damage the places it hits. In order to prevent these risks, the production and sale of oxygen cylinders are regulated by new regulations. Production and sale of tubes that do not meet certain standards is prohibited. In order to prevent recurrence of accidents that caused many material and moral losses in the past, it is necessary to supply standards and quality products.
What are the Types of Oxygen Cylinders?
Oxygen cylinders are made of steel or aluminum. Aluminum oxygen cylinders are much lighter than steel oxygen cylinders. It can be easily transported as it is light. Oxygen cylinders vary according to the material they are made of and the amount of oxygen filled in liters.
What are the Types of Steel Oxygen Cylinders?
- 1 liter
- 2 liter
- 3 liter
- 4 liter
- 5 liter
- 10 liter
- 20 liter
- 27 liter
- 40 liter
- 50 liter
What are the Types of Aluminum Oxygen Cylinders?
- 1 liter
- 2 liter
- 3 liter
- 4 liter
- 5 liter
- 10 liter
What are the Types of Medical Tube Manometer?
- Aluminum tube manometer with valve
- Pin index aluminum tube manometer
- Steel tube manometer with valve
- Pin index steel tube manometer
What is Oxygen Spray?
Oxygen sprayssimilar to downsized oxygen cylinders. It contains a small amount of oxygen gas. Its package is small and light. It can fit in the bag. It can be used in emergency situations. There are models with 20, 40, 50, 80, 100 and 200 breath capacity. It has a mask on it. The mask is placed on the face to include the mouth and nose and breathing is taken. Some models automatically detect the user's breath and deliver oxygen. In some, the mechanism is operated manually. While the user is breathing, he presses the spray button to allow the oxygen to come out of the tube and the emitted oxygen gas can be inhaled with a mask.
How Long Does Oxygen Cylinders Use?
The duration of use of oxygen cylinders depends on the tube volume and flow setting. For example, a 10 liter oxygen cylinder can be used for approximately 2-6 hours at the 7 liter / minute flow setting, and 5 liters for approximately 3-3,5 hours.
How to Fill Oxygen Cylinders?
There are certified facilities that fill oxygen cylinders. Certain standards must be complied with in order to obtain this certificate. Certified facilities are regularly inspected. Tube filling can be done safely in these facilities. Since oxygen cylinders are used for medical purposes, they should not be filled with industrial oxygen gas. Industrial oxygen gas can harm the user.
No oxygen device is approached with fire, machine oil, petroleum products and oily soaps against the danger of burning and explosion.