Ultra rapid cycle portable oxygen concentrator
Lightweight, portable oxygen concentrators that operate using an ultra rapid, sub one second, adsorption cycle based on advanced molecular sieve materials are disclosed. The amount of sieve material utilized is a fraction of that used in conventional portable devices. This dramatically reduces the volume, weight, and cost of the device. Innovations in valve configuration, moisture control, case and battery design, and replaceable sieve module are described. Patients with breathing disorders and others requiring medical oxygen are provided with a long lasting, low cost alternative to existing portable oxygen supply devices.
1. A portable oxygen concentrator, comprising:
at least one removable module comprising:
a housing;
at least one adsorbent bed;
wherein each of said adsorbent beds comprise an input port; and
an oxygen-enriched product tube comprising an oxygen output port; and
a manifold to control gas flow into and out of said removable module;
wherein said manifold is directly mated to said removable module, thereby minimizing head space.
2. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 ,
wherein said manifold comprises a piercing mechanism for each of said input ports and said oxygen output port.
3. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 ,
wherein said manifold further comprises one or more valves.
4. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 3 ,
wherein said one or more valves are at least partially integrated into said manifold.
5. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 ,
wherein said manifold is mated directly to said removable module and sealed with a flexible seal.
6. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 ,
wherein no tubing is used to connect said manifold to said removable module.
7. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 ,
wherein said input port forms a socket.
8. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 7 ,
wherein said manifold comprises a piercing mechanism that mates with said socket formed in said oxygen output port.
9. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 ,
wherein said oxygen output port forms a socket.
10. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 9 ,
wherein said manifold comprises a piercing mechanism that mates with said socket formed in said input port.
11. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 , further comprising:
a compressor.
12. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 , further comprising:
a removable battery pack.
13. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 , further comprising:
a moisture control unit.
14. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 , further comprising:
an oxygen sensor.
15. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 , further comprising:
a muffler connected to said manifold.
16. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cannula.
17. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 , further comprising:
a conserver.
18. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 ,
wherein said at least one removable module comprises two adsorbent beds.
19. A portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 ,
wherein said removable module is easily replaceable by a user with limited physical strength or dexterity.
20. A portable oxygen concentrator system, comprising:
said portable oxygen concentrator of claim 1 ;
a docking station; and
a battery recharger.
21. A portable oxygen concentrator, comprising:
at least one removable module comprising:
a housing;
two adsorbent beds;
wherein each of said adsorbent beds comprise an input port; and
an oxygen-enriched product tube comprising an oxygen output port; and
a manifold to control gas flow into and out of said removable module;
wherein said manifold is directly mated to said removable module, thereby minimizing head space; and
wherein said manifold comprises a piercing mechanism for each of said input ports and said oxygen output port; and
wherein said removable module is replaceable by a user with limited physical strength or dexterity.
22. A portable oxygen concentrator, comprising:
at least one removable module comprising
a housing;
at least one adsorbent bed contained in said housing;
wherein said adsorbent bed comprises at least one molecular sieve material;
wherein said molecular sieve material has a substantially spherical shape;
wherein the ratio of the length of said adsorbent bed to the diameter of said adsorbent bed is less than about 4.8:1; and
wherein said adsorbent is capable of a ratio of product flow rate to mass of said molecular sieve material of greater than 3.3 ml/min/g;
wherein said removable module is designed to be easily removable and replaceable with little physical strength or dexterity by a patient using said portable oxygen concentrator;
a compressor;
at least one manifold to control gas flow into and out of said removable module;
an exterior housing containing at least said manifold and said compressor; and
at least one removable battery pack;
wherein said portable oxygen concentrator system weighs less than about 5 kg.
23. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 22 ,
wherein said at least one removable module is automatically pneumatically disconnected from and connected to said portable oxygen concentrator upon removal and installation of said removable module.
24. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 22 ,
wherein said at least one removable module is pneumatically disconnected from and connected to said portable oxygen concentrator without direct physical manipulation of pneumatic connections by said patient.
25. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 22 ,
wherein said manifold is directly mated to at least one of an input port and an oxygen output port of said at least one removable module, thereby minimizing head space in said portable oxygen concentrator.
26. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 22 ,
wherein said manifold comprises a piercing mechanism that mates with a socket.
27. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 22 , further comprising:
a retention mechanism to lock said removable module in place.
28. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 22 ,
wherein said manifold further comprises one or more valves.
29. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 22 , further comprising:
a conserver.
30. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 22 ,
wherein said at least one removable module comprises two adsorbent beds.
31. A portable oxygen concentrator, comprising:
at least one removable module comprising
a housing;
at least one adsorbent bed contained in said housing;
wherein said adsorbent bed comprises at least one molecular sieve material;
wherein said molecular sieve material has a substantially spherical shape;
wherein the ratio of the length of said adsorbent bed to the diameter of said adsorbent bed is less than about 4.8:1; and
wherein said adsorbent is capable of a ratio of product flow rate to mass of said molecular sieve material of greater than 3.3 ml/min/g;
wherein said removable module is automatically pneumatically disconnected from and connected to said portable oxygen concentrator upon removal and installation of said removable module;
a compressor;
at least one manifold to control gas flow into and out of said removable module;
an exterior housing containing at least said manifold and said compressor; and
at least one removable battery pack;
wherein said portable oxygen concentrator system weighs less than about 5 kg.
32. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 31 ,
wherein said manifold is directly mated to at least one of an input port and an oxygen output port of said at least one removable module, thereby minimizing head space in said portable oxygen concentrator.
33. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 31 ,
wherein said manifold comprises a piercing mechanism that mates with a socket.
34. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 31 , further comprising:
a retention mechanism to lock said removable module in place.
35. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 31 ,
wherein said manifold further comprises one or more valves.
36. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 31 , further comprising:
a conserver.
37. The portable oxygen concentrator of claim 31 ,
wherein said at least one removable module comprises two adsorbent beds.