The Benefits of Medical Valves for Oxygen Concentrators
Oxygen concentrators extract oxygen from the surrounding environment without using tanks or cylinders. These devices deliver high-purity oxygen for extended periods and require specially prepared pneumatic valves to convert room air and deliver controlled oxygen safely to the patient.
Types of Medical Valves
Check valves: This type of valve prevents backflow in oxygen concentrators, which is crucial to maintaining oxygen purity and avoiding media contamination.
Directional control valves: This valve alternately switches compressed room air to one of two molecular sieve canisters while purging the other of trapped waste nitrogen. That allows nearly pure oxygen to pass through the canisters.
Flow control valves: This valve regulates the output flow rate in oxygen concentrators. Flow control valves are designed to limit the valve opening, allowing medical professionals to customize the stream of oxygen delivered to the patient safely and effectively.
Solenoid valves: An electromagnetic coil activates the solenoid plunger to open or close the opening in medical device valves. Solenoid valves can be used as a pilot component in larger amplified systems or as a direct on/off mechanism.
Oxygen sensor valves: This valve opens oxygen to a sensor that provides feedback to the device’s control system so an operator can manage oxygen purity levels.
How Medical Valves Optimize Oxygen Concentrators
Oxygen concentrator valves meet strict standards to ensure they’re fit for medical use. They must also function reliably with pressurized oxygen and nitrogen media and be compact to fit spatial limitations.
Medical valves provide the following benefits for oxygen concentrators:
High Flow Capacity
Directional control medical valves deliver the maximum prescribed volume and pressure of oxygen during device operation. The output provides an adequate and consistent stream of oxygen that will overcome expected changes in pressure, ensuring patient safety and comfort.
Once adjusted, the flow control medical valve will be set to maintain the desired flow rate.
Precision Media Control
Flow control medical valves provide precise control over media flow and pressure. That’s essential because it prevents variations that could cause discomfort to patients who rely on oxygen.
Medical staff can make gradual adjustments to accommodate prescribed oxygen levels in a seamless application without disrupting device operation.
Oxygen concentrators must undergo extensive quality control tests and precise calibrations to ensure their durability and accuracy. As major components in oxygen concentrators, medical valves must meet those high standards.
Reliable Function
Medical valves for oxygen concentrators are made of materials that can withstand oxygen and nitrogen media and operating conditions, such as specific composites, stainless steel and corrosion-resistant alloys. That prevents material degradation and improves longevity.
Experience in manufacturing medical valves for oxygen concentrators is beneficial. Valves must perform for long periods between maintenance. Since they’re used in the home, those environments can vary geographically and situationally. Valves must be resistant to contaminants, particles and substances that could affect their performance.
Custom Medical Valve Solutions at Humphrey Products
Our valves are engineered to perform in a variety of medical applications. With an understanding of the application specifics, we tailor them for suitability in oxygen concentrators, respiratory devices, diagnostic equipment, medical device reprocessing equipment and dialysis equipment. Contact our expert team for assistance in finding the right product to suit your application