The medical world is perhaps one of the most rapidly advancing domains! Every day there are new breakthroughs in medicine, and many of them contribute towards saving lives!
Similarly, one such invention was O2 cells!
In this article, we will learn all about them; what they are, how they work, and where you can get them!
So, without further ado, let’s begin!
What Are O2 Cells?
O2 cells, also known as Oxygen Sensors, act as technological devices that detect the amount of oxygen in a particular locus. Oxygen Sensors can be divided into specific categories used for different purposes.
Their most common use is in vehicle engines. Oxygen sensors in cars are usually kept to manage and control gas and diesel exhaust emissions.
But besides being used in car engines, O2 cells or oxygen sensors are used for medicinal purposes.
How?
Well, oxygen sensors are widely used to measure, monitor, and review the amount of oxygen exhaled and inhaled by a patient on a ventilator or even anesthesia.
Oxygen Sensors perform the task of allowing a patient to breathe. When patients cannot breathe correctly, respiratory gas monitoring is required for the patient’s lungs. And this is done while the patient is on a ventilator.
During the process of ventilation, the proportion of gas and oxygen needs to be extremely precise.
Especially the measurement of oxygen due to its heavy role in metabolism. And this is where oxygen sensors help. They will make sure a calculated amount of oxygen is being received by the patients.
Since the pandemic hit, the use of oxygen sensors has increased compared to before the pandemic era.
How Do They Work?
You may be wondering how oxygen sensors control and monitor the oxygen levels of a human being?
Oxygen sensors are also called FiO2 sensors. And they are usually used alongside oxygen concentrators, anesthesia monitors, ventilators, incubators, and other oxygen analyzers.
To put it into simple words, oxygen sensors will read the data about the level of oxygen the patient’s body has. This technological device will record how much oxygen and gas is being released and how much is being inhaled.
Ventilators will usually have internal regulators, air valves, and O2 valves. All you need to do is adjust the oxygen sensors in these valves, and you’re good to go.
Another crazy fact about oxygen sensors is that right after they are manufactured, they’ll go into deterioration. Therefore, they need to be quickly put to use. Moreover, a standard oxygen sensor will have a life span of 24 months.
Where Are O2 Cells Used?
Oxygen Sensors have many varied uses. Some of them are:
Anesthesia
Whenever a patient is induced with anesthesia using an anesthesia machine, the amount of oxygen in the patient is to be reviewed and controlled by oxygen sensors. A low oxygen limit is to be set by the oxygen sensors, and the moment this limit is reached, an alarm will go off.
Pharmaceuticals
Oxygen monitoring is also done in pharmaceuticals, using oxygen sensors. Oxygen Sensors will make sure that all the oxygen is removed from the large quantities of solvents.
This removal of oxygen will reduce the risk of explosions and fire that comes with the manufacturing of solvents. Oxygen Sensors will also be used to control the N2 injection in pharmaceuticals.
Beverage Packaging
With the increase in the demand for environmentally friendly products and packaging that is ethical, there has been a growing need for oxygen sensors.
Frequent complaints about O2 concentration, packaging issues, contamination, and so much more have raised the need for control processes that would improve the quality of food production systems.
Oxygen Sensors used alongside effective packaging processes have allowed industries to up their game.
How?
Oxygen Sensors will be used to monitor the oxygen levels in the food supply chains. Via this monitoring, the damages and leakages caused by oxygen are minimized and, in most cases, nullified.
Basic Life Support Gadgets
One of the primary uses of O2 cells is that they are useful when it comes to life support gadgets, mainly ventilators.
Oxygen sensors will allow doctors to know and record the amount of oxygen that is being processed to the patient through the ventilator.
This recording and monitoring are done to avoid oxygen toxicity, hypoxemia, and hypoxia.
Are There Any Other Options?
There are plenty of other options that can be used as a replacement for O2 sensors. One of these replacements includes Paramagnetic sensors that use non-depleting technology and can be used in ventilators, incubators, etc.
Another example is of the NO sensors, that work against the “blue baby syndrome”. Compact pressure sensors follow the patterns of a DIP package and other applications that support a wide range of medical devices.
How To Install An O2 Cell?
Follow this process to install an Oxygen sensor to a ventilator
- Order the appropriate oxygen sensor that is compatible with your device.
- If you are replacing an old oxygen sensor, the easiest way to order another appropriate one is by searching it by the original manufacturer’s part number.
- Once you receive the sensor, after uncovering it, make sure it is adjusted to the room temperature.
- Start the calibration process now.
- Usually, oxygen sensors are to be calibrated at 100%.
- You start the calibration process by turning on the analyzer that’s connected to the sensor and placing both of these devices in a plastic bag.
- Make small holes into the plastic bag.
- Then wait for the bag to be filled up by oxygen and slowly come out of the bag.
- Once the analyzer has stabilized, push the 100% to calibrate button.
- After the calibration has taken place, remove the analyzer and sensor from the bag.
- Now the oxygen reading will reduce and drop to 21%.
Where Can You Get O2 Cells?
Oxygen sensors are being produced by loads of different brands. However, as you can guess, not many will generate high-quality products.
Therefore, there should be a brand that specializes in creating these sensors. AKW Medical pitches in at this point as we have been producing top-of-the-class medical equipment for several years!
So, hop onto our website and get yours now!
