Home Oxygen Equipment

Static concentrators work by drawing in the air and separating out the oxygen from the other gases using a filter system. This filter traps some gases and allows the oxygen to pass through. The oxygen is delivered to you by tubing which connects to the cannula or mask for you to breathe. Oxygen concentrators deliver a steady supply of oxygen in the home and are a suitable solution for users with high flow rates and for those who use their oxygen for several hours a day. Concentrators use electricity.  Air Liquide will refund  the running cost of the concentrator on behalf of the NHS.  Your technician will check the meter reading on your concentrator as part of the equipment service, please see Electricity Refund for further information.

If you have a static or transportable concentrator, you should contact your electricity provider to explain that you are a patient on home oxygen and require electricity for your medical equipment to operate. Your electricity provider may be able to place you on a Priority Services Register and offer additional help and support.

Please see Using a Concentrator Brochure for full information

10 L (Static) cylinders are mainly used as a back-up supply to a concentrator in the event of a power cut or machine failure. They are also suitable for patients who require only small amounts of oxygen at home.

Portable oxygen concentrators take the surrounding air and produce oxygen. They are designed to be lightweight and have an internal battery  so they can be easily carried. They are designed primarily for daytime portable use and are suitable if you are away from home a lot and have high oxygen requirements during the day. There is no need to wait in for cylinder replenishments with this option. Concentrators use electricity.  Air Liquide will refund  the running cost of the concentrator on behalf of the NHS.  Your technician will check the meter reading on your concentrator as part of the equipment service, please see Electricity Refund for further information.

Liquid oxygen systems consist of a base unit (Dewar) and a separate portable unit. Liquid oxygen is stored in the insulated stainless steel base unit.  The portable units can then be re-filled from the base unit to give you a portable oxygen supply when you are out and about. Liquid base units will need to be reordered from Air Liquide when you have at least one working days supply left.

Transportable concentrators act as both a static concentrator whilst also providing the freedom to continue to use ambulatory oxygen whilst away from home.  They are the ideal solution for home oxygen users who are active and away from home for long periods at a time.  There is no need to wait in for cylinder replenishments with this option.

The homefill system acts as both a static concentrator whilst also providing the freedom to fill your own portable cylinders to use whilst away from home.  They are an ideal solution for home oxygen users who want to remain active and do not want to wait in for cylinder replenishments.

Concentrators use electricity.  Air Liquide will refund  the running cost of the concentrator on behalf of the NHS.  Your technician will check the meter reading on your concentrator as part of the equipment service, please see Electricity Refund for further information.

Cannulae, face masks, fire breaks, regulators, conservers and humidifiers are ancillary products used with some home oxygen equipment.  Your healthcare professional will discuss these with you when ordering your oxygen.

Some users will require a face mask as an alternative method to breathe oxygen.

A fire break is a safety device fitted between a cannula or mask and the tubing attached to the oxygen equipment. You should never tamper or remove this.

An oxygen conserving device delivers oxygen in an intermittent flow instead of a continuous flow. It conserves the supply of oxygen available in the cylinder.

A flowmeter is a device that is attached to the regulator and is used to control the oxygen flow. It also controls lower flow rates for paediatric patients.

A humidifier is a small plastic container attached to the front of a concentrator which allows moisture to mix with oxygen before being passed through the cannula to the user.