Oxygen enrichment is the process of increasing the concentration of oxygen from ambient air to create a supply of medical-grade oxygen. This enriched oxygen is critical for individuals with respiratory conditions such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and other chronic lung diseases. By concentrating oxygen from the surrounding air, portable oxygen concentrators can provide a steady and reliable source of therapeutic oxygen without the need for bulky tanks or deliveries.
Composition of Ambient Air and the Need for Enrichment
The air we breathe is composed of roughly 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other trace gases such as carbon dioxide, argon, and hydrogen. While this composition is suitable for healthy individuals, those with compromised lung function often require a higher concentration of oxygen to maintain adequate blood oxygen levels.
Oxygen enrichment systems take this 21% oxygen and increase its concentration to between 82% and 92%, depending on the clinical requirement. This concentrated oxygen helps improve oxygen saturation in the blood, reduces breathlessness, and supports organ function. The ability to enrich air on demand has become a cornerstone of modern oxygen therapy, especially in portable devices that support mobility and independence.
How Oxygen Concentrators Perform Enrichment
Oxygen concentrators use a multi-step filtration and separation process to isolate and concentrate oxygen from ambient air. One of the most widely used methods involves a technology called Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). In this process, room air is drawn into the device and passed through a set of filters and zeolite-based molecular sieves. These sieves selectively adsorb nitrogen, allowing oxygen and small amounts of other gases to pass through.
The oxygen is then collected in a reservoir or pulse delivery chamber and delivered to the patient at the required flow rate. The system continuously cycles through this process, ensuring a consistent supply of high-purity oxygen. Depending on the design, concentrators can deliver oxygen in continuous flow or pulse dose formats to match a patient’s breathing pattern and medical needs.
At Belluscura, we have developed proprietary versions of these technologies—such as our patented ModulAir™ and Airgonomical™ designs—to create more efficient, compact, and high-output oxygen concentrators.
Clinical Benefits of Medical Grade Oxygen
The use of 82–92% pure oxygen can offer a range of clinical benefits for individuals with chronic respiratory conditions. These benefits include increased exercise tolerance, reduced symptoms of hypoxemia, and improved sleep quality. For many users, enriched oxygen supports daily activities that would otherwise be exhausting or impossible without therapy.
Medical-grade oxygen also plays a role in post-operative care, emergency treatment, and chronic disease management. By ensuring that oxygen delivery is both consistent and appropriately concentrated, oxygen enrichment supports critical respiratory function and helps prevent complications related to oxygen deprivation.
Enriched oxygen is also advantageous because it can be delivered in a portable form using concentrators, eliminating the need for refilling or replacing heavy oxygen tanks. This provides patients with greater autonomy and enhances quality of life.
Conclusion
Oxygen enrichment transforms regular air into a therapeutic resource for individuals who need supplemental oxygen. By raising the oxygen concentration from 21% to 82–92%, this process helps support vital functions in patients with respiratory illness. Using advanced filtration systems and proprietary technology, oxygen concentrators can provide a continuous or on-demand supply of medical-grade oxygen tailored to each patient’s needs.
At Belluscura, we’ve developed innovative enrichment technologies that power our lightweight, high-efficiency concentrators like the DISCOV-R™ and X-PLOR®. If you or a loved one requires portable oxygen therapy, contact us to learn more about how our products can support your journey to better breathing and improved independence.
