Patent ID: 7866315
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: A61M,B01D

Abstract:
1. A method of providing concentrated oxygen product gas to a patient using an oxygen concentrator which separates oxygen from ambient air utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption process, the method comprising: (a) introducing ambient air into a first end of a column containing an adsorbent material to advance a mass transfer zone toward a second end of the column and to remove product gas out the second end; (b) sensing a parameter indicative of mass transfer zone position within the column; (c) stopping the introduction of ambient air into the column based upon the parameter to prevent breakthrough of the ambient air at the second end off the column by dynamically controlling a control valve as a function of the sensed parameter to stop movement of the mass transfer zone within the column; (d) storing the product gas; (e) drawing a vacuum on the column to remove, through the first end of the column, a waste gas contained in the adsorbent material; (f) repressurizing the column by introducing ambient air into the evacuated column through the first end until the column approaches 1.0 atmosphere; (g) repeating steps (a)-(f); and (h) delivering pulses of stored product gas to the patient.