How The Freestyle And Freestyle 5 Work - CAIRE FreeStyle Manual

HOW THE FREESTYLE AND FREESTYLE 5 WORK
The FreeStyle and FreeStyle 5 are portable oxygen concentrators (POC) used to extract oxygen
from the atmosphere, concentrate it to 87–95.5%, and present the oxygen to the patient in the
form of a bolus (pulse dose). These devices operate from either external power or from a
rechargeable battery pack.
Description of Operation
Air enters the POC through an external air intake / gross particle filter. This filtered air
enters the compressor via a suction intake muffler that quiets the compressor's
suction sound. Pressurized air then exits the compressor and passes through a heat
exchanger to reduce the temperature.
Next, a solenoid feed valve directs the air into one of two sieve beds that contain
molecular sieve. The unique property of molecular sieve enables it to physically
attract (adsorb) nitrogen when air passes through this material, thereby separating
the nitrogen from the oxygen in ambient air.
There are two sieve beds: While one produces high-concentration oxygen, the other
purges the nitrogen it adsorbed via the solenoid waste valve and exhaust. Oxygen
exits the product tank after first passing through the integrated product filter.
In addition to the molecular sieve and product tank, the FreeStyle and FreeStyle 5
contain an Oxygen Conserving Device (OCD) valve that controls delivery of high-
concentration oxygen to the patient when the pressure sensor senses the patient's
inspiration.
Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Figure 3: Flow Schematic Diagram
MN220-1 B 14