Oxygen Concentrator Buying Guide: 5L vs 10L

An oxygen concentrator takes in room air and removes most of the nitrogen to deliver air that is enriched with oxygen. It runs on electricity and does not need cylinders to be refilled, which is why hospitals, clinics and home-care providers use them. Oxygen therapy should always be prescribed and supervised by a doctor; this guide is about choosing the equipment.

5 litre vs 10 litre

• 5 litres per minute (5L): the most common size, suited to one patient at a time. Lower power use and a lower price.
• 10 litres per minute (10L): delivers a higher flow for patients who need more, and some models can supply more than one patient at reduced flows. Confirm with the manufacturer exactly what flow and how many outlets the model supports.

What to check

• Oxygen purity at the rated flow: ask for the figure at the flow you will actually use. Purity can fall as flow rises, so compare at the same flow.
• Alarms: low oxygen purity, power failure and high or low pressure alarms are valuable for safety.
• Continuous duty: confirm the machine is designed to run for long periods without a break.
• Noise: important for wards and bedrooms.
• Power use and a voltage stabiliser: machines that stop when voltage drops cause problems.
• Humidifier bottle and nebuliser: check what is included and what accessories cost.
• Filters and service: how often filters are replaced and where to get them.

Buying a used concentrator

Used machines can be good value, but ask for the running hours, when the filters and molecular sieve beds were last replaced, and a written warranty. Test the oxygen purity with a proper oxygen analyser before you accept it, and have it run for several hours to check it stays stable.

Not a replacement for emergency supply

A concentrator is not a substitute for a ventilator or for medical gas supply in intensive care. Hospitals usually keep cylinders as a back-up for power failures.

Madina Surgical Trader supplies this kind of equipment to hospitals, clinics and laboratories across Pakistan. Send us your requirements on WhatsApp and we will help you compare options.