Oxygen has existed in our atmosphere for 5 billion years, its concentration insignificant until approximately 2.5 billion years ago when the

                                                    first photosynthetic organisms appeared. An oxygen concentrator is a medical device which is designed to deliver a concentrated flow of

                                                    oxygen to a patient. The air from an oxygen concentrator has a higher concentration of oxygen than the surrounding ambient air, but

                                                    the device does not rely on the use of oxygen tanks. There are a number of reasons to use an oxygen concentrator with a patient, and

                                                    these devices are subject to varying degrees of regulation, depending on where they are being used.

                                                    Our brand selection of home and portable oxygen concentrators is of the highest quality and we have an in house Respiratory Therapist,

                                                    along with our sales staff who are fully trained on each concentrator and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. With

                                                    an oxygen concentrator, the device pulls air into a chamber which absorbs nitrogen. The oxygen-rich air is routed through a tube to the

                                                    patient, while the nitrogen is vented harmlessly. Depending on the size of the device, it can filter and concentrate varying amounts of air

                                                    per minute. Oxygen concentrators can be used in place, as seen in hospital rooms, and several companies also make portable versions

                                                    which can be used by people while they are traveling or wish to be ambulatory. Many devices have been created to allow for easier portability

                                                    and mobility, and we recommend portable oxygen concentrators as the travel oxygen device of choice for veterans making this flight.

                                                    A Portable Concentrator uses the air around us, normally a mixture of 80 percent nitrogen and 20 percent oxygen. The concentrator

                                                    divides the nitrogen and oxygen by using zeolite to take in the nitrogen from the air. The compressor increases the air pressure to around

                                                    20 pounds per square inch. The air is then introduced to the cylinders that have the zeolite where the nitrogen is absorbed leaving the

                                                    oxygen available for use. Using an oxygen concentrator is much safer than using an oxygen tank. The risk of explosion is not present, and the

                                                    device is easy to operate. One setting for oxygen concentrators is on the battlefield, where patients may require supplemental oxygen, but

                                                    oxygen tanks could pose a serious risk to patients and health care providers in the event of an attack. Oxygen concentrators can also be

                                                    used by patients at home with much more safety than oxygen tanks, requiring fewer handling precautions.