(12) United States Patent
`Dubois et al.
`
`USOO6520176B1
`US 6,520,176 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`Feb. 18, 2003
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR
`(75) Inventors: Anne Dubois, Le Chesnay (FR); Pierre
`Bodelin, Vanves (FR); Xavier Vigor,
`Chicago, IL (US)
`(73) Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a
`Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance
`pour l’Etude et l'Exploitation des
`Procedes Georges Claude, Paris (FR)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`y
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 55 days.
`
`* ) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/609,319
`(22) Filed:
`Jun. 30, 2000
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`May 25, 2000 (FR) ............................................. OOO6697
`(51) Int. Cl. ............................................... A61M 15/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................. 128/200.24; 128/201.21
`(58) Field of Search ....................... 128/200.24, 20121,
`128/203.25, 203.26, 203.27, 204.15, 204.17,
`204.18, 205.11, 202.26, 204.21, 204.26;
`95/96, 130
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,826,510 A * 5/1989 McCombs ............. 128/204.18
`4,971,609 A 11/1990 Pawlos
`5,531,807 A * 7/1996 McCombs ................... 55/357
`5,893,275 A * 4/1999 Henry ............................. 62/6
`5,893,944. A * 4/1999 Dong .......................... 96/114
`5,928,189 A * 7/1999 Phillips et al. ................ 604/65
`5,979,440 A * 11/1999 Honkonen et al. ..... 128/200.24
`6.212,904 B1
`4/2001 Arkharov et al. ............ 62/47.1
`6,287.366 B1 * 9/2001 Derive et al. ................. 95/100
`6,302,107 B1 * 10/2001 Richey et al. ......... 128/205.11
`6,314.957 B1 * 11/2001 Boissin et al. ......... 128/204.17
`6,346,139 B1
`2/2002 Czabala ....................... 95/130
`6,446,630 B1 * 9/2002 Todd, Jr. ............... 128/204.18
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`8/1998
`
`EP
`O 860 646
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Aaron J. Lewis
`ASSistant Examiner Teena Mitchell
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Young & Thompson
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An oxygen concentrator portable by a patient, permitting
`producing a flow of gas containing 50% to 95% of oxygen
`from air, comprising air compression device, elements for
`gas separation by adsorption with pressure variations, and
`electrical energy Storage unit keeping its charge for at least
`30 minutes, the concentrator having a total weight less than
`10 kg. Preferably, the gas separation elements are a PSA
`System using a Zeolite X exchanged with lithium, as the
`adsorbent.
`
`1/1985 Pinkerton .................... 96/113
`4,491,459 A
`4,648.888 A 3/1987 Rowland
`
`17 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`GCE - Exhibit 1005, Page 1
`GCE Gas Control Equipment Inc. v. VBOX, Inc.
`IPR2023-00326
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 18, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 6,520,176 B1
`
`1 O
`
`O
`
`20
`
`60
`40
`YIELD (%)
`
`80
`
`1OO
`
`9 10
`2 8
`5, 6
`S 4
`
`2 0
`O
`
`20
`
`8O
`
`100
`
`60
`40
`YIELD (%)
`
`FIG. 2
`
`GCE - Exhibit 1005, Page 2
`GCE Gas Control Equipment Inc. v. VBOX, Inc.
`IPR2023-00326
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 18, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 6,520,176 B1
`
`5.
`
`2.
`
`O
`
`
`
`O
`
`0.8
`0.6
`0.4
`0.2
`PRODUCTMTY PER CYCLE (Nm3/cy/m3)
`
`1
`
`FIG 3
`
`GCE - Exhibit 1005, Page 3
`GCE Gas Control Equipment Inc. v. VBOX, Inc.
`IPR2023-00326
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 18, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 6,520,176 B1
`
`
`
`FIG. 5
`
`GCE - Exhibit 1005, Page 4
`GCE Gas Control Equipment Inc. v. VBOX, Inc.
`IPR2023-00326
`
`

`

`1
`PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR
`
`US 6,520,176 B1
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The invention relates to a portable oxygen concentrator
`uSable in Oxygen therapy.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Oxygen concentrators using the PSA (Pressure Swing
`Adsorption) technique are at present very widely used for
`household oxygen therapy. Nevertheless, their design has a
`major drawback namely, the lack of portability.
`Thus, the existing concentrators require a Source of elec
`tricity and are moreover too heavy to be transported or
`carried by the patient.
`However, a certain number of patients using oxygen
`therapy would like to live as “normal” a life as possible,
`which requires in particular to be able to walk or move more
`easily.
`To give these patients a Solution permitting them to make
`short trips, the documents WO-A-98/58219 and U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,893,275 propose combining the PSA type concentra
`tor with a liquefier, So as to fill a Dewar (receptacle) that the
`patient can carry. This Solution is in fact more complicated
`than it appears. Thus, the Dewar for Storing the oxygen must
`be periodically reheated to eliminate any trace of hydrocar
`bons and water. On the other hand, the adjustment of the
`liquefaction temperature must be precise So as to avoid at the
`outset of vaporization for use by the patient, that the initial
`gas will have a high nitrogen content.
`Another solution proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,062 is
`to compress a portion of the oxygen leaving the PSA type
`concentrator to fill a portable cylinder. But this is a costly
`Solution because it is based on the use of an oxygen
`compressor, and leSS Satisfactory from the point of view of
`Safety, because the patient must manipulate oxygen under
`preSSure.
`The present invention thus has for its object to provide
`patients desiring to have real mobility, an alternative Solu
`tion that is more Simple and more Satisfactory as to Safety,
`which is to Say improving the known Solutions of the prior
`art.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention thus relates to an oxygen concen
`trator portable by a patient, permitting producing a gaseous
`flow containing 50% to 95% oxygen from air, comprising:
`air compression means to compress the air to a pressure
`greater than atmospheric pressure (1 bar),
`means for Separating gas by adsorption with pressure
`variations to Separate the air compressed by the air
`compression means and to produce a gas enriched in
`OXygen, and
`electrical energy accumulating means having a charged
`life of at least 30 minutes permitting Storing and
`Supplying or restoring electricity,
`Said concentrator having a total weight less than 10 kg,
`and
`the weight of the compression means (Mcomp), the
`weight of the gas separation means (Msieve) and the
`weight of the energy accumulating means (Mbattery)
`being Such that:
`
`1O
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`15
`
`thattery
`Qi
`isieye
`
`wherein Qp is the flow rate of oxygen produced by the
`concentrator (in 1/min) and the weights Mcomp, Mbattery
`and Msieve are expressed in kg.
`According to another aspect, the invention also relates to
`an oxygen concentrator portable by a patient, permitting
`producing a gaseous flow containing 50% to 95% of oxygen
`from air, comprising:
`air compression means to compress the air to a pressure
`comprised between 1 and 5 bars,
`means for Separating gas by adsorption, with pressure
`Variations, comprising Several adsorbers each compris
`ing one or Several adsorbents operating according to
`PSA cycles, the duration of each production cycle
`being less than 30 Seconds and at least one adsorbent
`being a Zeolite exchanged with at least one metallic
`cation Selected from lithium, calcium, Zinc, copper and
`their combinations,
`electrical energy accumulation means having a charged
`life of at least 30 minutes,
`Said concentrator having a total weight less than 10 kg,
`and
`the weight of the compression means (Mcomp), the
`weight of the gas separation means (Msieve) and the
`weight of the energy accumulation means (Mbattery)
`being Such that:
`
`vicop
`g ----------. <3
`!
`ficii
`p
`
`o, 15
`
`-
`{}}S -
`
`isie'e
`
`p
`
`a
`
`wherein Qp is the flow rate of oxygen production by the
`concentrator (in 1/min) and the masses Mcomp, Mbattery
`and Msieve are expressed in kg,
`Said air compression means, Said means for Separating gas
`by adsorption and Said electric energy accumulating
`means being disposed within at least one housing,
`Said housing comprising moreover means for controlling
`or adjusting the operation of the concentrator and at
`least one System for fastening or carrying the concen
`trator.
`AS the case may be, the concentrator of the invention can
`comprise one or Several of the following characteristics:
`Qp is comprised between 0.5 and 4 1/min, preferably
`between 0.5 and 2 l/min.
`the ratio (Mcomp/Op) is comprised between 0.5 and 2
`kg/(1/min).
`the ratio (Mbattery/Qp) is comprised between 0.15 and
`1.2 kg/(1/min).
`the ratio (Msieve/Qp) is comprised between 0.05 and 0.8
`kg/(1/min).
`Mcomp+Mbattery+Msieves 8 kg, preferably Mcomp+
`Mbattery+Msieves 5 kg.
`
`GCE - Exhibit 1005, Page 5
`GCE Gas Control Equipment Inc. v. VBOX, Inc.
`IPR2023-00326
`
`

`

`3
`the gas Separation means comprise Several adsorbers each
`containing one or Several adsorbents and operating
`according to PSA cycles, preferably the duration of
`each production cycle is less than 30 Seconds, prefer
`ably less than 20 seconds.
`the adsorbent has a granulometry less than 1 mm and/or
`comprises particles of Zeolite X exchanged with at least
`one metallic cation Selected from lithium, calcium,
`Zinc, copper and their combinations, preferably Zeolite
`X having a ratio Si/All of about 1 to 1.25 and exchanged
`by at least 80% with lithium cations.
`the compression means are adapted or controlled to
`compress air at a pressure comprised between 1 and 5
`bars, preferably between 2.5 and 3.5 bars.
`it comprises means for adjusting the temperature permit
`ting adjusting the temperature of the air Supply and/or
`of the adsorbers, to a value comprised between 10 and
`60° C.
`the controller adjustment means of the operation of the
`concentrator comprise at least one Start/stop means to
`Start or Stop the operation of the concentrator, prefer
`ably the Start/stop means comprises an operating button
`or a control member actuable by the operator.
`the System of Securing or carrying the concentrator com
`25
`prises at least one carrying handle and/or at least one
`shoulder Strap or a belt and/or at least one System of
`Suspending from the belt.
`it comprises adjustment means for the flow rate of the gas
`to be produced by the means for Separating gas by
`adsorption.
`
`15
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The present invention will now be better understood from
`the following detailed description given with reference to
`the accompanying drawings.
`FIG. 1 depicts two curves which represent the ratio of
`compressor weight to oxygen flow rate as a function of
`yield;
`FIG. 2 depicts two curves which represent the ratio of
`battery weight to oxygen flow rate as a function of yield;
`FIG. 3 depicts a curve which represents the ratio of
`adsorbent weight to oxygen flow rate as a function of
`productivity per cycle;
`FIG. 4 is a Schematic representation of the principle of
`operation of the portable concentrator according to the
`invention; and
`FIG. 5 depicts the portable concentrator according to the
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Contrary to what is said in WO-A-98/58219, the inventors
`of the present invention have shown that it is in fact possible
`to produce a really portable concentrator, by combining a
`certain number of technical advances which will be
`described below, namely a short production cycle, a Small
`adsorbent granulometry, a "top grade' adsorbent, and the
`use of a System permitting reducing the flow rate to be
`produced by the concentrator whilst Satisfying the oxygen
`needs of the patient.
`It thus follows that an O concentrator should be consid
`ered as portable if the two following conditions are Satisfied,
`namely a weight mileSS than 10 kg, preferably less than 7 kg,
`and if it can operate on batteries, preferably rechargeable,
`
`35
`
`40
`
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`
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`
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`
`65
`
`US 6,520,176 B1
`
`4
`having a charged life of at least 30 minutes, preferably at
`least one hour and more preferably at least two hours.
`However, the total weight (MTW) of a PSA concentrator
`depends on the flow rate produced and the performance of
`the cycle:
`the yield m=O produced/O entering
`productivity per cycle Pcy=O produced/cycle/m of
`adsorbent
`cycle time Tcy=duration of a production cycle (in
`Seconds).
`Of course it also depends on the “mass performances” of
`the different components, for example the ratio between the
`weight of the compressor and the flow rate of air that it
`compresses.
`The adjustment of a portable concentrator thus passes
`through a step of establishing the relationships between the
`performance of the PSA and the weight of the different
`components. The efficiency of the system will be measured
`by the weight necessary to produce 1 1/min of oxygen. The
`system will be lighter the lower this ratio is and/or the lower
`the required flow rate of oxygen will be.
`The principal components whose weight must be reduced
`are the air compressor, the adsorbent and the battery or the
`means for accumulating electrical current that are used.
`Of course there are other components of the apparatus
`(external housing, adsorbents of the PSA System, internal
`tubing, valves .
`.
`. ) but their weight is low, or even
`negligible, relative to that of the principal constituents.
`Air Compressor
`The flow rate of air (Qa) that is to be supplied by the
`compressor is
`
`Qp.
`Q = 0.21
`
`in which Qp is the flow rate of produced oxygen (in l/min)
`m is the yield defined above.
`However, the best available compressors have a “mass
`efficiency' comprised between 1 kg for 5 l/min and 1 kg for
`10 1/min. These values will therefore permit tracing two
`curves permitting enclosing the ratio:
`Compressor weight/Flow rate of oxygen produced as a
`function of yield.
`These curves are schematically shown in FIG. 1.
`Having the curves of FIG. 1 and knowing that the yields
`obtained for a PSA cycle are typically comprised between 30
`and 60%, there can be established the following inequality:
`0.5 <Mcomp/Op<3 kg (in kg/(1/min))
`Battery (Reference 8 in FIG. 5)
`By analogy, the specific energy ES (in KWh/l of produced
`oxygen) of a PSA System can be expressed by the following
`relation:
`
`s = 0.2 x lostpon
`los?.)
`k
`E
`
`wherein Ph is the high pressure of the cycle (in bars)
`k is comprised between 0.11 and 0.15 according to the
`compressor
`Patm is the atmospheric pressure (1 bar)
`For a charged life of 2 hours, the necessary energy (in
`watts) is therefore expressed by the following relationship:
`
`GCE - Exhibit 1005, Page 6
`GCE Gas Control Equipment Inc. v. VBOX, Inc.
`IPR2023-00326
`
`

`

`E
`
`The high pressure of a PSA system being conventionally
`comprised between 2.5 and 3.5 bars, and the mass efficiency
`of the best batteries between 1 kg for 100 watts and 1 kg for
`300 watts, there can again be traced two curves (shown in
`FIG. 2) permitting enclosing the weight ratio battery/O2
`flow rate, as a function of yield
`There is obtained the following inequality:
`0.15 <Mbattery/Qp <2 (expressed in kg/(1/min))
`Weight of the Adsorbent of the PSA
`Similarly, the weight of the adsorbent (Mads) is given by
`the following relation:
`
`5
`
`15
`
`Toy XQ X pads
`Mads =
`P cy
`
`is the weight per Volume of the adsorbent,
`wherein p
`typically comprised between 0.5 and 0.7 kg/l. Tcy and Pcy
`are as given above.
`25
`The productivity per cycle typically obtained in a PSA
`cycle is comprised between 0.2 and 0.5 N1/h/l. The weight
`of the adsorbent is directly proportional to the cycle time.
`The reduction of the cycle time can be achieved by a
`reduction of granulometry of the adsorbent to improve the
`adsorption kinesis. The cycle time of the medical concen
`trators is in general leSS than 25 S thanks to the use of an
`adsorbent whose mean granulometry is less than 1 mm.
`They can decrease to Several Seconds, as indicated by U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,827,358.
`There are again obtained two curves permitting enclosing
`the ratio Mads/O flow rate produced as a function of the
`productivity of the PSA (productivity per cycle), as shown
`in FIG. 3.
`From this there is obtained the following inequality:
`0.05<Msieve/Qp.<1 (expressed in kg/(1/min))
`The rest of the material permitting producing the concen
`trator has a weight that is relatively less dependent on the
`production flow rate and can be estimated to be 1 or 2 kg at
`the most.
`The curves of FIGS. 1 to 3 show three ways of reducing
`the weight of a concentrator:
`reducing the required oxygen flow rate Op
`increasing the mass performance of the components:
`compressor, battery . . .
`increasing the performance of the PSA process
`The increase of the mass performance of the components
`is up to the manufacturers. In the present invention, it will
`Suffice to choose components falling within the weight limits
`described above.
`The reduction of the mean required flow rate Qp, to
`Satisfy the oxygen needs of the patient, can be achieved by
`preferentially adding a System with an economizing valve,
`permitting delivering oxygen to the patient in a manner
`Synchronized with breathing, and hence to divide the nec
`essary oxygen production of the concentrator by a factor
`comprised between 1.5 and 6, preferably comprised between
`2 and 4.
`The usual prescription of gaseous oxygen for a patient
`undergoing oxygen therapy is comprised between 3 and 6
`l/min. The use of Such an economizing valve therefore
`permits reducing the mean flow rate of oxygen that has to be
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
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`
`US 6,520,176 B1
`
`6
`produced by the concentrator, to a value comprised between
`0.5 and 4 1/min, preferably between 0.5 and 2 l/min.
`The increase of performance of the PSA process is
`obtained by:
`use of a high quality adsorbent, preferably a Zeolite X
`eXchanged with lithium, permitting obtaining a yield
`greater than 45% and a productivity per cycle greater
`than 0.3 Nm/h,
`cycle time less than 20 s, preferably less than 15 S.
`In this case, the preceding inequalities thus become:
`0.5<Mcomp/Qp.<2 (kg/(1/min)
`0.1-Mbattery/Qp<1.2 (kg/(1/min)
`
`Under these conditions, it will be seen that the Sum of the
`weights of the different components will be less than 8 kg for
`mean flow rate values up to 2 l/min.
`Generally Speaking, as shown in FIG. 5, a portable
`concentrator 1 according to the invention has a housing 2 of
`a size and weight permitting the patient 3 to carry it while
`walking.
`Possible Systems for Securing or carrying the concentrator
`1 by the patient 3 are a handle 4 and/or a shoulder strap 5,
`provided on the concentrator 1 directly or on a bag dimen
`Sioned for this purpose, which permit protecting it for all
`outside uses.
`The housing 2 is stable and can rest on any flat Surface.
`It preferably has:
`an air outlet enriched in O2, which can be connected to the
`administration means 6 of the gas to the patient 3,
`a start/stop button 9;
`an adjustment device 7 for the production flow rate of air
`enriched in O,
`a Screen 10 and/or another System for visualization
`(luminous signals for example) permitting informing
`the patient or any other perSon, of the available adjust
`ments as well as the potential risks and/or misfunctions
`(residual charge of the battery, misfunction of the
`compressor, for example);
`information labels guaranteeing the quality of the material
`and if desired the recommendations for its maintenance
`in good operating condition.
`FIG. 4 shows schematically the principle of operation of
`concentrator 1 according to the invention, comprising an
`external housing 2 in which are included one or more
`ambient air inlets 14 (Systems of inlets for example) per
`mitting Supplying the compression means 10 with gas, and
`if desired generating an air circulation in the housing 2, gas
`compression means 10, gas Separation means by adsorption
`with pressure variation (PSA) comprising several adsorbers
`11, 12 enclosing adsorbent particles, electrical energy accu
`mulating means 8, a storage 13 for Storing air enriched in
`produced oxygen, and means 6 for Supplying air enriched in
`produced oxygen to the respiratory tract of the patient 3.
`Moreover, to the principal elements constituting the con
`centrator schematically shown in FIG. 4, can be added:
`one or several filtration means (dust, antibacterial...) for
`ambient air and/or air enriched in O,
`an electronic card for controlling the different components
`and their alarms,
`a System for Soundproofing the assembly (for example
`with foam) and more particularly the compressor, via
`Silent blocks for example.
`Preferably, the adsorbent used in the psa System is an
`absorbent, preferably of the Zeolite X or LSX type,
`exchanged by more than 80% with lithium, of the type of
`those described in EP-A-785020.
`
`GCE - Exhibit 1005, Page 7
`GCE Gas Control Equipment Inc. v. VBOX, Inc.
`IPR2023-00326
`
`

`

`US 6,520,176 B1
`
`7
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. Oxygen concentrator portable by a patient permitting
`producing a gas flow containing from 50% to 95% of oxygen
`from air, comprising:
`an air Supply,
`air compression means having a weight (Mcomp), and
`being fluidly connected to the air Supply;
`gas Separation means for Separating gas by adsorption
`with pressure variation, Said gas separation means
`having a weight (Msieve);
`electrical energy accumulating means having a weight
`(Mbattery) and a charged life of at least 30 minutes;
`Said concentrator having a total weight leSS than 10 kg,
`and
`the weight of the air compression means (Mcomp), the
`weight of the gas separation means (Msieve), and the
`weight of the electrical energy accumulating means
`(Mbattery) being such that:
`
`S
`
`O5
`
`.5
`
`3
`
`&iconip
`Op
`Aibittery
`Op
`Asieye
`3
`i
`
`< 2.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`wherein Qp is a flow rate of oxygen produced by the
`concentrator (in l/min) and the weights Mcomp, Mbattery
`and Msieve are expressed in kg.
`2. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein
`Qp is comprised between 0.5 and 4 (1/min).
`3. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 2, wherein
`Qp is comprised between 0.5 and 2 (1/min).
`4. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein
`a ratio of the weight of the air compression means to the flow
`rate of oxygen produced (Mcomp/Op) is comprised between
`0.5 and 2 kg/(1/min).
`5. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein
`a ratio of the weight of the electrical energy accumulating
`means to the flow rate of oxygen produced (Mbattery/Op) is
`comprised between 0.5 and 1.2 kg/(1/min).
`6. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein
`a ratio of the gas Separation means to the flow rate of oxygen
`produced (Msieve/Qp) is comprised between 0.05 and 0.8
`kg/(1/min).
`7. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein
`Mcomp+Mbattery+Msieves 8 kg.
`8. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 7, wherein
`Mcomp+Mbattery+Msieves 5 kg.
`9. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein
`the gas separation means comprise Several adsorbers, each
`containing at least one adsorbent and operating according to
`preSSure Swing adsorption cycles, each pressure Swing
`adsorption cycle having a duration of less than 30 Seconds.
`55
`10. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 9,
`wherein the adsorbent has a granulometry less than 1 mm
`and comprises particles of Zeolite X exchanged with at least
`one metallic cation Selected from the group consisting of
`lithium, calcium, Zinc, copper and mixtures thereof.
`11. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 10,
`wherein the Zeolite X has a ratio of Silicon to aluminum
`(Si/Al) of about 1 to 1.25 and is exchanged by at least 80%
`with lithium cations.
`12. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 9, further
`comprising means for temperature regulation permitting
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`8
`adjusting the temperature of at least one of the air Supply and
`the adsorbers to a value comprised between 10 and 60° C.
`13. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1,
`wherein the air compression means are adapted or controlled
`to compress air from the air Supply to a preSSure comprised
`between 1 and 5 bars.
`14. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, further
`comprising means for adjusting the flow rate of produced
`OXygen.
`15. Oxygen concentrator portable by a patient permitting
`producing a gas flow containing 50% to 95% of oxygen from
`air, comprising:
`air compression means for compressing air to a pressure
`comprised between 1 and 5 bars, Said air compression
`means having a weight (Mcomp);
`gas separation means for Separating gas by adsorption
`with pressure variation, Said gas separation means
`having a weight (Msieve) and comprising Several
`adsorbers, each adsorber containing at least one adsor
`bent and operating according to preSSure Swing adsorp
`tion cycles, each cycle having a duration of less than 30
`Seconds, Said at least one adsorbent being a Zeolite
`eXchanged with at least one metallic cation Selected
`from the group consisting of lithium, calcium, Zinc,
`copper and mixtures thereof;
`electrical energy accumulating means having a weight
`(Mbattery) and a charge life of at least 30 minutes;
`Said oxygen concentrator having a total weight of less
`than 10 kg, and
`the weight of the air compression means (Mcomp), the
`weight of the gas separation means (Msieve) and the
`weight of the electrical energy accumulating means
`(Mbattery) being such that:
`
`p
`
`wherein Qp is a flow rate of oxygen produced by the oxygen
`concentrator (in l/min) and the weights Mcomp, Mbattery
`and Msieve are expressed in kg,
`Said air compression means, Said gas Separation means for
`Separating gas by adsorption and Said electrical energy
`accumulating means being disposed within at least one
`housing, and
`Said housing comprising control means for controlling
`operation of the oxygen concentrator and at least one
`means for Securing or carrying the oxygen concentra
`tor.
`16. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 15,
`wherein the control means comprise at least one Start/stop
`button for Starting or Stopping operation of the oxygen
`COncentrator.
`17. The oxygen concentrator according to claim 15,
`wherein the means for Securing or carrying the oxygen
`concentrator comprise at least one of a carrying handle and
`shoulder Strap.
`
`GCE - Exhibit 1005, Page 8
`GCE Gas Control Equipment Inc. v. VBOX, Inc.
`IPR2023-00326
`
`