Choosing the Right Air Compressor for Medical Usage

The medical industry uses air compressors not only to power various medical equipment and tools but also in treatment, surgery, and therapy. As it is a matter of health and wellbeing, the air in medical air compressors must be free of contamination. So, not all types of air compressors are suitable for the medical sector. Below are the suitable ones:

Oil-free Scroll Compressors

Oil-free scroll compressors bear almost 0% risk of air contamination for patients in the medical sector. There are no overheating issues in scroll compressors. Moreover, these require low maintenance and generates very low noise.

Also, operators can rely on these compressors even if these are under 100% duty cycle. This is why small clinics, as well as big medical facilities, use oil-free scroll compressors. But these compressors need to be checked at least once a year for maintenance.

Oil-free Screw Compressors

Screw compressors are mainly used for manufacturing medical devices. But these can also be used for patients as they are also free from the risk of air contamination. Screw compressors are quite energy-efficient and also have low noise.

Oil-less Reciprocating Compressors

Oil-less reciprocating compressors do not require any lubricants for maintenance and operation. That’s why it is free of air contamination, just like the other two. But there are some overheating issues with these compressors.

This is solved by using a cooler in the system. Also, regular maintenance (especially on the pistons and belts) is necessary to prevent malfunctions. However, reciprocating compressors are quite flexible and cost-effective.

China’s Scroll Compressor Parts Manufacturer

Sunrise metal has been manufacturing die casting components for over a decade. We manufacture various parts for medical scroll compressors such as fixed scroll, orbiting scroll, housing, etc.

Medical device parts need to be precise to perform efficiently. Keeping that in mind, we use the best technology and management system to maintain the quality of these parts.

Scroll Compressor Parts Die Casting Capability

Our high-quality aluminum die casting capability ensures the accuracy, precision, and tolerance of the parts that we manufacture for scroll compressors.

Scroll compressor parts require high precision. So we combine vacuum molds and semi-solid die casting methods to maintain the quality of the parts. This combination not only reduces parts porosity but also shortens the time of production and reduces cost.

Machining the Parts

After completing the casting process, we use our advanced multi-axis CNC machines to machine the parts as necessary. We have the Makino F5, Mazak 5-axis and 7-axis, Hass 5-axis, and other CNC machines to machine different scroll compressor parts.

Surface Finishing

Scroll compressor parts require sophisticated surface finishing to resist the corrosion, wear, and deformation that may occur during operation. Our technical surface treatment processes ensure superior corrosion and wear resistance, and also enhance the hardness of the parts.

Quality Control Capability

We leave no stone unturned to ensure the quality of the parts. We use:

• Carl Zeiss CMM to measure and maintain the part’s accuracy.
• X-ray machines to find internal defects and fix them as necessary.
• Salt-spray tester to improve the part’s corrosion resistance.

So, Sunrise Metal is not just a scroll compressor parts manufacturer; we are the one-stop solution you need for all your scroll compressor part’s manufacturing requirements.

What Are the Medical Usages for Air Compressors?

Medical air compressors are used in different medical activities such as:

Medical Devices

Different equipment and devices in OT, ICU, CCU, and in other places in the hospital require air compressors. Dentists use air compressors to run devices for the drying and cleaning process. However, medical air compressors are mostly oil-free, but oil-lubricated compressors are used in some cases.

Assisted Breathing

Sometimes patients need breathing equipment during surgery or in the emergency room. In this case, special medical air compressors help the patients to breathe without hesitation. Such compressors supply pure, uncontaminated air to keep the patient safe from any mishap.

Rehabilitation Aid

Nowadays, physiotherapists recommend using an air compressor for physiotherapy rather than using weights. Because weights can be harmful to the patients. But compressed air resistance is safer in this case.

Pneumatic Lithotripsy is a process to manage kidney stones. Doctors use medical air compressors for this process. Shock waves generated by compressed air are used to treat tennis elbow, calcaneal spurs, patellar apex syndrome, and other orthopedic problems.

Laboratory Use

Laboratories in hospitals and clinics use a special type of medical air compressors for diagnostics and tests. Oil-less compressors are used here to keep the specimen or other materials free from impurities.

What Categories of Air Compressors are used in the Medical Industry?

NFPA 99 has divided air compressors into four categories for the medical industry. These are:

1. 1. Some medical air compressors must supply air consistently, without which the patient may face serious problems. For example, air compressors are used to power a life support system.
   2. The second category compressors provide air with small interruptions that may cause minor problems to the patient.
   3. Another category is for patients where big interruptions won’t cause any life-threatening issues. The patients will feel a little discomfort during the interruption.
   4. The fourth category of air compressor can be used for patients, where shutting down the compressor completely will not impact the patients.

What Are the Things to Consider While Choosing an Air Compressor for Medical Usage?

There are a lot of things to consider while choosing a medical air compressor. For example:

1. 1. • The pressure level of the compressor is important based on the usage. For example, the pressure level of the compressor for medical devices is different from the compressor for patients’ life support.
      • When it comes to patients’ health, the air compressor must be oil-free to prevent air contamination. Only a few medical devices require oil-lubricated compressors.
      • The compressor size is a big issue in the medical industry. Some compressor has to be stationary where a big cylinder is a must. In other cases, the size has to be smaller for better mobility.
      • Checking the noise level of the compressor while choosing a medical air compressor is also an important factor. A higher noise level will cause discomfort to many patients.