Oxygen therapy systems are frequently used in home or medical care settings to provide supplemental oxygen to patients who need it. A typical system involves an oxygen storage tank and a regulator, which is a specialized piece of equipment that connects directly to the tank valve. The primary function of the regulator is to safely reduce the extremely high pressure of the compressed gas inside the cylinder to a much lower, usable pressure for the patient. This pressure reduction is necessary because the gas is stored at pressures that can be as high as 2,000 pounds per square inch (psi) in a full tank.
Essential Safety and Equipment Inspection
Before any connection is attempted, a thorough inspection and adherence to safety protocols are mandatory due to the presence of highly pressurized oxygen. Oxygen intensely supports combustion, meaning it will cause other materials to ignite more easily and burn much faster. Therefore, the area must be free of open flames, sparks, and flammable materials, and all personnel must ensure their hands and clothing are clean.
A particularly dangerous reaction occurs when oxygen comes into contact with hydrocarbons, such as oils, grease, or petroleum-based lotions, which can lead to spontaneous combustion. Never use any lubricant or sealant on the tank valve or regulator other than what is explicitly approved for oxygen service.
Inspect the regulator’s inlet port to ensure the seal (often a washer or Bodok seal) is present, undamaged, and free of debris. It is also advisable to “crack” the tank valve by quickly opening and closing it while standing to the side to clear any dust or dirt from the outlet port before attaching the regulator.
Step-by-Step Regulator Connection
With the tank valve closed and the equipment inspected, the physical connection process begins with proper alignment of the regulator to the tank post. Most medical oxygen tanks use a pin-index safety system, where the regulator has two small metal pins that must align precisely with corresponding holes on the tank valve post. This system prevents the attachment of the wrong type of gas regulator to an oxygen cylinder.
Carefully slide the regulator yoke over the tank valve, ensuring the alignment pins seat correctly into the holes. If the regulator does not easily slide into place, do not force it, as this could damage the seal or cross-thread the connection. Once aligned, secure the regulator by hand-tightening the T-handle or the connection nut, typically by turning it clockwise.
For some larger tanks or specific regulator designs, you may need to use a wrench to fully secure the nut. The connection should be firm enough to create an airtight seal. Avoid excessive tightness, which could damage the washer or regulator threads.
Testing the Seal and Setting Oxygen Flow
After the regulator is securely attached, safely pressurize the system by opening the tank valve slowly. Stand to the side of the tank as you turn the valve counterclockwise, opening it only a quarter to a half-turn initially to allow the regulator to equalize pressure. The pressure gauge should immediately register the remaining pressure in the tank, indicating the connection is working.
Check for any leaks at the connection point, which can often be heard as a distinct hissing sound. If a leak is suspected, use a leak detection solution approved for oxygen use or a simple solution of soapy water applied to the joint; the presence of bubbles confirms a leak. If a leak is found, immediately close the tank valve and tighten the regulator connection or check the integrity of the washer before retesting.
Once the seal is confirmed, open the tank valve fully until the stem “backseats.” Then, set the prescribed oxygen flow rate. The flow rate is adjusted using a separate flow meter or dial on the regulator, which is calibrated in liters per minute (LPM). Turn the flow selector to the specific LPM setting provided by the healthcare professional.
When oxygen therapy is complete, always close the tank valve first. Then, bleed the remaining pressure from the regulator by turning the flow selector until the gauges read zero.