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Respiratory therapy equipment is the set of devices that supply, deliver, condition or monitor air and oxygen for breathing. This page maps the whole family by function, from the oxygen source to the interface that touches the patient, so a clinic buyer, student or caregiver can see where each device sits and which detailed guide to read next. It is a map, not a replacement for the individual product guides.
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Who uses it: respiratory therapists, nurses, home-care and clinic staff, sleep clinics, and the people they supply, working under a prescriber’s orders.
What counts as respiratory therapy equipment
In practice the term covers five jobs: supplying oxygen, delivering it through an interface, adding aerosol or humidity, supporting airway and ventilation, and measuring breathing. Searchers also use the phrases “respiratory supplies” and “respiratory equipment list” for the same family; the table below is that list, organised by function. MedlinePlus lists tanks, concentrators, cannulas, masks and tents among the equipment used for oxygen therapy.
Respiratory equipment list by function
| Function | Equipment | Read next |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen supply | Oxygen concentrator, compressed oxygen cylinder, liquid oxygen, hospital oxygen plant | Oxygen concentrator, oxygen plant |
| Flow control and connection | Oxygen regulator, oxygen tubing, humidifier bottle | Oxygen regulator, oxygen tubing, humidifier |
| Delivery interface | Nasal cannula, simple face mask, non-rebreather mask, Venturi mask | Nasal cannula, simple face mask, non-rebreather mask, Venturi mask |
| Aerosol delivery | Nebulizer, compressor, tubing, filters, aerosol mask | Nebulizer, compressor, aerosol mask |
| Pressure support | CPAP machine, hose, masks and accessories | CPAP machine, CPAP hose, CPAP accessories |
| Airway and ventilation | Ventilator, PEEP valve, oral airways, tracheostomy tubes, suction canister | Ventilator, PEEP valve, oral airway sizes, tracheostomy tube sizes, suction canister |
| Monitoring | Peak flow meter | Peak flow meter |
For the wider category of equipment that insurers treat as durable, see the durable medical equipment list.
Oxygen therapy equipment: the four supply types
The American Lung Association describes four home oxygen sources. Each differs in power needs and portability.
| Supply type | How it works | Power and portability | Handling note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home oxygen concentrator | Draws in room air and removes nitrogen and other gases | Continuous delivery; needs an electrical outlet | Stationary unit |
| Portable oxygen concentrator | A smaller, lighter version | Outlet or rechargeable batteries; most deliver oxygen in pulses, a burst on each inhale | See oxygen concentrator battery |
| Compressed oxygen (metal tank) | Oxygen stored in metal tanks | Smaller tanks hold less oxygen | Some portable tanks are refillable by the patient, others go back to the supplier |
| Liquid oxygen | Oxygen compressed and cooled | Needs no electricity; usually a stationary unit plus a portable container | Very cold; can cause frostbite, especially when filling a portable container |
Source: American Lung Association, “Oxygen Delivery Devices and Accessories”, checked 2026-10-30.
How the pieces connect
Equipment in this family is used in a chain: a source (concentrator, tank or liquid system), flow control and tubing, an optional humidifier, then the interface worn by the person, such as a cannula or mask. Each link in the chain has its own guide in the table above, and settings are determined by the prescriber, not by this page.
Safe use and handling basics
- Oxygen is a fire risk: never smoke or use flammable materials when using oxygen (MedlinePlus, checked 2026-10-30). See home oxygen safety.
- Keep tanks secured and upright; MedlinePlus warns that if a tank falls and cracks or the top breaks off, it can fly like a missile.
- Handle liquid oxygen with care because of its extreme cold (American Lung Association).
Common mistakes
- Treating “respiratory supplies” as one product. A cannula, a CPAP mask and a nebulizer kit are different devices with different parts.
- Storing a tank where it can fall.
- Mixing up the oxygen source with the interface: a concentrator or tank supplies oxygen, while a cannula or mask delivers it.
Frequently asked questions
What is oxygen therapy equipment?
It is the oxygen source (concentrator, compressed tank or liquid system) plus the parts that carry and deliver the oxygen, such as a gauge or regulator, tubing, a humidifier and a nasal cannula or mask. MedlinePlus lists tanks, concentrators, cannulas, masks and tents.
What is on a respiratory equipment list?
The table above groups it by function: oxygen supply, flow control, delivery interfaces, aerosol devices, CPAP, airway and ventilation devices, and monitoring.
What are respiratory supplies?
The replaceable parts around the main devices: tubing, cannulas and masks, nebulizer kits, filters and CPAP accessories. One category of them is CPAP and oxygen masks.
Is a prescription required for oxygen therapy?
MedlinePlus states that oxygen therapy is only available through a prescription from a health care provider.
Sources
- American Lung Association, Oxygen Delivery Devices and Accessories, checked 2026-10-30.
- MedlinePlus (NIH, National Library of Medicine), Oxygen Therapy, checked 2026-10-30.
