This study focuses on molecular-sieve concentrators that deliver high-content oxygen for continuous, long-term therapy, which improves and extends the quality of life for adult patients who suffer from such illnesses as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We did not include membrane concentrators, which produce a maximum concentration of 40% oxygen (compared with 90% or more for molecular-sieve concentrators), because they are not suitable for most long-term oxygen-therapy applications. Although oxygen concentrators are most often used at home, they are also occasionally used in hospitals or nursing homes as an economical method of delivering oxygen when built-in systems are not required or available. We evaluated 10 oxygen concentrators from nine manufacturers. All of the units are similar in general design and appearance, except for one 3 L/min capacity unit that is smaller and lighter than the other 4 or 5 L/min units. Our ratings and rankings are based primarily on the availability of an oxygen concentrator status indicator that meets our criteria, as well as on electrical safety and maintenance issues. Nine units are rated Acceptable; one unit is rated Conditionally Acceptable because it poses an electrical safety hazard. Readers are cautioned not to base purchasing decisions on our ratings alone, but on a thorough understanding of all issues surrounding the use of oxygen concentrators, which can be gained only by reading this study in its entirety. In the Discussion section, "Issues in Selecting, Purchasing, and Using Oxygen Concentrators," we discuss important factors to consider, such as required flow, oxygen concentration status indicators, high-temperature performance, electrical safety, noise, maintenance, and cost. Manufacturers' specifications for these and other units are available in ECRI's Hospital Product Comparison System.
本研究聚焦于为持续、长期治疗提供高含量氧气的分子筛制氧机，这改善并延长了患有慢性阻塞性肺疾病等疾病的成年患者的生活质量。我们未纳入膜制氧机，其产生的氧气最大浓度为40%（相比之下，分子筛制氧机为90%或更高），因为它们不适用于大多数长期氧疗应用。尽管制氧机最常用于家庭，但当不需要或没有内置系统时，它们偶尔也会在医院或养老院作为一种经济的供氧方式使用。我们评估了来自9家制造商的10台制氧机。除了一台容量为3升/分钟的制氧机比其他4升/分钟或5升/分钟的制氧机更小、更轻外，所有设备在总体设计和外观上都相似。我们的评级和排名主要基于是否有符合我们标准的制氧机状态指示器，以及电气安全和维护问题。9台设备被评为可接受；一台设备被评为有条件接受，因为它存在电气安全隐患。提醒读者不要仅基于我们的评级来做出购买决定，而应全面了解与制氧机使用相关的所有问题，只有通读本研究才能获得这些信息。在“选择、购买和使用制氧机的问题”讨论部分，我们讨论了需要考虑的重要因素，如所需流量、氧气浓度状态指示器、高温性能、电气安全、噪音、维护和成本。这些及其他设备的制造商规格可在ECRI的医院产品比较系统中获取。
