AMS medical gas cylinders are used across the globe in healthcare for oxygen therapy in hospital, emergency and homecare applications. Portable, lightweight and durable – our cylinders help save lives and grant those with chronic respiratory diseases greater freedom.
In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at the different types of medical oxygen cylinders we supply by exploring the difference between them, discussing the differences and which applications they are best suited for.
Type 1 Cylinders
Typically manufactured from steel or aluminium, Type 1 cylinders are the lowest cost and heaviest cylinder type. As a result, they are more suited for static hospital or homecare applications. They are not advised for applications when portability or low weight is a priority.
Type 2 Cylinders
Type 2 cylinders are made from aluminium, hoop-wrapped with carbon fibre. Despite being notably lighter than Type 1 cylinders, they still carry significant weight – making them suitable for applications where cost is prioritised above low weight and high pressure. These characteristics make them suitable for applications such as medical oxygen (in a healthcare setting), onsite industrial/manufacturing and in laboratories (high volume use).
Type 3 Cylinders
Featuring a thin and lightweight aluminium liner and fully overwrapped with carbon composite – Type 3 gas cylinders are distinguished by their light weight and can be up to 30% lighter than Type 2 cylinders. They can also be filled to higher pressures (up to 300 bar), providing increased capacity for the same size cylinder.
Their portability and light weight make Type 3 cylinders great candidates for applications where these characteristics are important, such as for use in medical oxygen cylinders in ambulances or for home oxygen therapy.
Portability and Independence in Healthcare – Choosing The Right Cylinder
Weight, portability and capacity are key in healthcare and emergency environments where oxygen is required.
Those who depend on the use of oxygen at home require a solution that is easy to handle and that doesn’t involve unnecessary physically exertion. Type 3 cylinders are great in this respect, as they can help patients live a more independent life that isn’t restricted to hospital beds or heavy machines. This enables them to travel more freely, and go places without worrying about their oxygen supply.
The benefits of lightweight, high capacity cylinders are further demonstrated when considering the physical symptoms associated with respiratory diseases, such as shortness of breath, fatigue and decreased cardiovascular strength.
Whilst hospital environments benefit from specialist staff who can handle cylinders on behalf of patients, those at home needing oxygen require something lightweight that they can set up and use independently.
These characteristics also make Type 3 cylinders a good choice for paramedic and ambulance use, and for those working in emergency services. Type 3 cylinders are much easier to transport and use in high-pressure environments where time is important, such as medical emergencies.
Portable Oxygen Cylinders from AMS Composite Cylinders
Our lightweight portable home oxygen cylinders are available in a range of standard and customised sizes, including 1L,2L and 3L capacities. They are produced to ISO and EN standards (including ISO-11119-2, ISO 11119-1, EN 12245, EN 12257, ISO 7666 and ISO 11118) and to the requirements of UN PED/TPED, DOT (USA) and TC (Canada). Cylinders hold Rho ρ marking for the UK.
Products include carbon composite cylinders for a wide variety of breathing air, oxygen therapy and other applications, such as healthcare, respiratory, hydrogen fuel cell, SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus), laboratory, emergency and environmental uses.
Find out more here.