How to calculate oxygen flow rate?

Oxygen inhalation is a relatively common medical treatment method and is widely used in modern medicine. Almost all clinical treatments can use oxygen inhalation to play an auxiliary role. Oxygen inhalation is not simply inhaling pure oxygen. The flow and concentration of oxygen must be adjusted to suit the body's needs. Let's take a look at how to calculate the oxygen flow rate. I hope everyone can understand it.

Conversion of oxygen concentration (flow rate)

The medical oxygen inhalers we commonly use are mainly float-type oxygen inhalers, so we will mainly explain the float-type oxygen. (Refer to the use of medical buoy oxygen inhaler)

The scale indicated by the float of the buoy-type medical oxygen inhaler is generally 0~10L/min, which means how much oxygen flows out from the outlet of the humidification bottle (water bottle) per minute. The oxygen flowing out of the air outlet enters our respiratory tract together with the air through the oxygen nasal cannula. Since it is mixed with the air when entering the respiratory tract, the oxygen concentration has been greatly reduced.

Whether it is treatment or health care, the flow rate will not exceed 5L/min, so the following table lists the relationship between flow rate and oxygen concentration.

Finding a reasonable oxygen concentration (flow)

The purpose of finding a reasonable oxygen concentration (flow rate) is to take into account factors such as economic cost. If a flow rate of 1.5L/min can fully achieve the treatment goal, and the concentration is adjusted to 2.5L/min for oxygen inhalation, the effect is the same, but 1 liter of oxygen is wasted per minute. Therefore, when you first start breathing oxygen, you need to find the oxygen concentration that is suitable for the user.

When you first start inhaling oxygen, you can start with a small flow rate. For example, when you have symptoms of hypoxia such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, headache, and dizziness, start with 1L/min, inhale for about 15 to 30 minutes to observe the effect. If the symptoms are relieved, continue to inhale oxygen at this concentration. If it is not very effective, increase the oxygen concentration by 0.5L/min, and so on to find the oxygen concentration (flow rate) that suits you.

Oxygen concentration (flow) and oxygen inhalation time complement each other. How long to inhale oxygen and when to inhale it also need to be explored in combination with one's own physical condition during home oxygen therapy.

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