PORTABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR OXYGEN THERAPY AT HOME

摘要

New portable oxygen generator uses cation-exchanged type X or A zeolite adsorbent to absorb nitrogen selectively from compre air. Portable or transportable medical equipment for supplying oxygen-rich gas to a user comprises a gas compressor supplying ai a pressure above 105 Pa to a gas concentrator which produces a gas containing 50-99 vol % oxygen. The concentrator comprises at least one separation chamber containing a bed of adsorbent, which contains particles of type X or A zeolite (I) exchanged wit one or more metal cations. The action is based on the selective absorption of nitrogen from high pressure air by (I). Independent claims are included for: (a) a method for producing the oxygen-rich gas using the apparatus; and (b) the use of type X or A zeolite absorbent (I'), in which at least 60 % of the cations are exchanged by calcium or at least 50 % of the catio are exchanged by lithium, for producing the above oxygen-rich gas in apparatus of this type.