What crucial function does the oxygen concentrator serve?

The oxygen concentrator plays a vital role in delivering oxygen at a higher concentration, which is essential for patients with respiratory conditions who require supplemental oxygen. This device works by extracting oxygen from the ambient air, which is about 21% oxygen, and then focusing that oxygen to provide a supply that typically exceeds 90% purity.

This higher concentration of oxygen is crucial for individuals who may struggle to get enough oxygen through normal breathing due to various health issues, such as COPD or emphysema. By increasing the available oxygen, the concentrator enhances the efficiency of oxygen delivery to the lungs and subsequently to the body’s tissues.

Other options represent functions that are not relevant to the purpose of an oxygen concentrator. Storing oxygen is typically the function of tanks or cylinders; filtering oxygen from blood does not occur within the concentrator but is a role of the lungs; and cooling gases are unrelated to the function of delivering supplemental oxygen.