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What is Medical O2

What is Medical Oxygen

Oxygen was known to be the only element that supports respiration as early as 1800 and was first used in the medical field in 1810 which later was named as medical oxygen. Today with the unprecedented rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand of medical oxygen has skyrocketed worldwide. But what is medical oxygen and what is its difference from normal oxygen? How is it produced? And most importantly what is it used for?

What is Medical Oxygen and What is it Used for?

To understand the concept of medical oxygen we first need to acknowledge that the air we breathe is a mixture of several gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Therefore, we can assure ourselves that it is not a hundred percent oxygen-based gas. On the other hand, the term ‘medical oxygen’ means high-purity oxygen and it is used for medical treatments and developed for uses within the human body. Medical oxygen is a key factor element in medical facilities, such as hospitals and clinics, due to its high effect during anesthesia, first aid resuscitation for emergencies, life support, and for patients who can’t breathe on their own. In other words, medical oxygen is an essential component for healthcare professionals when treating COVID-19 and pneumonia, which are categorized in the respiratory illnesses. It is also an essential part for surgery and trauma. Medical oxygen can also play a critical role for the vulnerable individuals like the elderly, newborns, and pregnant women who need pure oxygen on a regular basis. Keep in mind that medical oxygen is not only used within the healthcare complex but outside as well. Many athletes that train under harsh circumstances such as high altitudes or low-pressure surroundings do also use medical oxygen as a therapy and recovery.

From thin Air to Hospitals

As previously mentioned, the air we breathe is a mixture of several gases, approximately 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen and 1% other gases. There are many different ways to supply medical oxygen such as Concentrator/Generators, Cylinders, Plants, and Liquid Oxygens. Most medical oxygen used today is produced in factories. The oxygen is extracted by cooling the gas until it reaches the liquid state, upon reaching the liquid state different gases are then separated by their different boiling points. Once the oxygen is separated it is then transported at very low temperatures in cryogenic tanks. Another way to supply medical oxygen is oxygen generators, an oxygen generator works by filtering and concentrating oxygen molecules from the air providing up to 95% pure oxygen. The device consists of a compressor, bed filters, oxygen tank, pressure valve, and a pipeline network. The compressor sucks the air containing oxygen and adjusts the pressure, the bed filters then separates the nitrogen within the air mixture. Two bed filters work simultaneously to release the oxygen into the cylinders and discharge the separated nitrogen from the system back to the air. This loop keeps the purity of the manufactured oxygen. And the purpose of the pressure valves is to regulate the oxygen supply flow between. Lastly the compressed oxygen is then dispensed either to the patients via the pipes connected to the generator or to the tanks.

COVID-19 and the Sudden Rise of Medical Oxygen Usage

With the COVID-19 pandemic soaring, the usage of medical oxygen was quadrupled and eight-folded at times. According to some studies and stats shared by the WHO (World Health Organization) the medical oxygen usage was much higher than what the professionals anticipated. Which eventually led the unprepared health organizations face severe issues, where some believe are highly more severe than the pandemic itself. Thousands of hospitals around the world have reported running out of the supplies they need to keep patients alive. Various countries reacted by offering oxygen cylinders, concentrators and cryogenic tanks to transport ultra-cold liquid oxygen to each other, while organizations such as UNICEF are working with their partners to buy and install oxygen generation plants in hospitals. The WHO continues to work with ministries of health almost everywhere in order to help them create a more sustainable and self-sufficient oxygen supply. Because of the sudden surge in demand for medical oxygen, currently most of the industrial oxygen in the world is undergoing an additional purification step to obtain medical oxygen and serve the healthcare sector in order to prevent future shortages as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the globe.

Conclusion

If you ever need a high quality and realiable source of medical oxygen, you can always trust Üzümcü Medical Equipment and Medical Gas Systems. With our 50+ years of experience we offer high purity of oxygen that matches your needs.

You are one step away from us. Please do not hesitate to contact us, where our team will be more than happy to help you with our solutions and determine your requirements. Visit us on www.uzumcu.com or call us via +90 312 615 53 53

Details

  • Ankara, Turkey
  • ÜZÜMCÜ