This article gives you essential information to check when you are considering the purchase of a portable oxygen concentrator.
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A portable oxygen concentrator (POC) is a device that provides oxygen therapy and that is smaller, lighter-weight, and more portable than a stationary concentrator. Portable oxygen concentrators are often considered an alternative to oxygen tanks. Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) offer many advantages to people on supplemental oxygen.
Oxygen tanks lack some characteristics that make portable oxygen concentrators (POC) desirable:
Portable oxygen concentrators have some limitations also:
Portable oxygen concentrators are great devices, if they deliver the amount of oxygen that you need. But there is a lot of confusion around the difference between the setting numbers on a POC and the liters per minute of oxygen that your doctor prescribed. Yes, there are numbers on the dial of a POC that say 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Do not confuse those settings with liters per minute (LPM). Numbers on the POC are manufacturers’ settings and do not mean liters per minute. Advertising often fails to mention this. You may also find salespeople and technicians who are unaware or fail to mention this. Do not be misled by people or advertising that suggests that the number settings on a POC mean liters per minute.
Let me say that again. Setting level numbers on a POC are not liters per minute!
In the tradeoff to become lightweight, POCs give up the capacity for delivering higher flows of oxygen. Currently, most POCs that are light enough to carry (under 8 pounds) deliver a maximum flow of 1.25 – 1.5 LPM. If you often need more oxygen than that, you may get very limited use out of a small, lightweight POC.
Look at the maximum oxygen output (liters per minute) of the models you are considering. Remember that the maximum output of a POC won’t be what you always get. The maximum output will only be delivered at the highest setting. Using a higher setting should give you more oxygen, but can reduce the POC’s battery life.
There are currently a few portable oxygen concentrators that can deliver up to 3 LPM, but they weigh between 16 – 20 pounds. They are considered “portable” because they can be pulled on wheels, run on batteries, and can be used on most airplanes.
The best way to understand how much oxygen a POC can provide is to consult the POC Comparison Chart from runningonair.net.
Portable oxygen concentrators can deliver oxygen to the user in two ways, continuous flow or pulse flow (also called pulse dose). Continuous flow is when oxygen is delivered in a steady stream and is not affected by your breathing rate. Pulse flow delivers oxygen only when you inhale, which triggers the concentrator to deliver a burst of oxygen (called a bolus).
Pulse dose delivery offers the benefit of conserving oxygen – so that oxygen is not wasted between each breath. When using pulse delivery, you must breathe deeply enough to trigger the concentrator to deliver a bolus.
You need to know that a device using pulse delivery changes the amount of oxygen in each bolus to deliver a specific amount each minute. If you have a higher-than-normal respiratory rate (more than 12-18 breaths per minute) the amount of oxygen delivered to you with each breath is lowered. If your breathing is very shallow or you have a high respiratory rate, you may find that continuous flow works better for you. As with all questions, talk with your doctor or a healthcare provider to determine your needs.
For a more detailed explanation of the difference between pulse and continuous flow, read this Pulse v Continuous Flow ResMed fact sheet.
A portable oxygen concentrator is a medical device and, in the US, it must be prescribed by a medical doctor or specialist. A reputable seller will require a copy of your medical prescription for oxygen.
There are some POCs sold online that are NOT FDA-cleared or approved medical devices. Medpage Today published a warning about the purchase of these devices.
Doctors, the FDA, and other health organizations warn lung disease patients not to buy or use any oxygen or oxygen equipment that can be purchased without a prescription. These non-medical products may be called over-the-counter oxygen, canned oxygen, or oxygen canisters. Over-the-counter oxygen and oxygen delivery devices are sometimes sold online, in pharmacies, or in drug stores at a much lower cost than the ones that require a prescription. The over-the-counter devices have not had FDA testing for safety and effectiveness. In a small study, the COPD Foundation has shown that most of these devices are ineffective for someone with lung disease.
New portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) can be expensive between $ and $ USD as of this writing. Buying used devices is one way to save money. Used portable oxygen concentrators have been owned and used previously by another oxygen patient.
Beware of the risks of a used POC. You may see a well-intentioned family member or patient offer a used POC on sales forums or at a garage sale. A neighbor recently offered us her father’s POC, which had been stored in her attic for some time. Because we did not know how it was maintained or its condition, we decided not to use it. A POC that has a faulty part or dirty filters may not deliver oxygen that is impurity-free. And even if there isn’t an issue with its oxygen quality, a used POC may not function reliable and efficiently.
A refurbished POC is different than a used one and is a safer choice. Refurbishing includes major repairs, replacement of critical parts that concentrate the oxygen, and a thorough cleaning. A refurbished POC may be available at a lower cost than a brand-new one. Some refurbished POCs have been sent back to the manufacturer; others are refurbished in certified repair centers. Some may even provide service warranties.
Most people purchase a POC to allow them to go out socially, travel by air or car, and be outdoors. Consider your habits and desires. How long can you expect one fully charged battery to last? Manufacturers will often give you the best-case estimate for battery life. Individual results can vary. Can you purchase a second battery? If so, this will extend your usage, but at an added cost. Can the POC be plugged in while being used in a car or at home? If so, this may help you get longer usage.
Some POCs contain a filter that needs regular cleaning to prevent it from becoming clogged with dust or microparticles. Consult the manufacturer’s information or reviews before you buy. Look for information on how often filters should be cleaned and also on the cost of replacement filters, if needed.
Most POCs need to be serviced periodically. Sometimes parts may need to be replaced. POCs are complex machinery and the replacement parts and repairs can be expensive. For example, as of Sept. , the cost of two replacement columns for an Inogen 3, 4, or 5 model is listed at USD 129. (These columns remove most of the nitrogen from air so the POC can deliver purer oxygen.) Again, check the manufacturer’s website. It may list prices for replacement parts. You may also find estimates for periodic servicing and repairs.
New devices will likely come with some type of manufacturer’s warranty. Read the fine print to learn what it covers and how long it lasts. In some cases, you may be able to purchase a longer warranty. Consider whether this would be cost-effective. Some warranties cover essentially all costs other than battery replacements. Other warranties are more limited. Either might save you money and assure you that the device is backed by the company.
Is it approved for commercial flight?In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration approves POCs for onboard use if they meet certain acceptance criteria and if they are labeled as meeting the requirements for commercial flying. Individual airlines may have their unique set of requirements for bringing and using your POC on their flight. If you regularly fly the same airline, it may be worth checking their website or making a call to be sure you purchase a POC model they approve. If you are outside the US, consult your governing organization or airlines for a list of approved POCs.
When considering different POCs and their capacity to deliver oxygen, remember that at a higher altitude, you may require more supplemental oxygen than you do at your home altitude.
Weight is a consideration, especially if the exertion of carrying a POC increases your need for supplemental oxygen. We would, of course, like the lightest, quietest, POC that meets our oxygen requirements. Realize that as size and weight get smaller, there might be a trade-off in the amount of oxygen that a POC can provide.
Oxygen concentrators make noise. After all, they are machines with a motor. They may also have built-in low battery and other alarms. Consider the type of environments where you may want to use your POC. Will the noise make you feel like you are causing a disturbance during a church service, attending a funeral, dining in a quiet restaurant, or attending a movie? Some POCs are noisier than others. The manufacturer’s documents should list the noise level in decibels. It is a good practice to listen to one before you buy if you can.
In the Checklist, we have listed these 10 things to consider with room for you to make notes as you research portable oxygen concentrators.
POCs are great devices and can keep you active and connected socially, which is better for your overall health and outlook. They are ideal for keeping you active and involved in life. They can be expensive and there are differences in the quality of these devices. Use the checklist to fully research your options. Then, go out and enjoy every day – living your best life.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of medical oxygen generator. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
7 Things to know before starting supplemental oxygen
Oxygen Used to Treat IPF (Options)
POC Comparison Chart from runningonair.net
Helpful Tips for Buying Used Oxygen Concentrators
Oxygen concentrators (oxygen generators) are a type of medical device that you may use as part of oxygen therapy. If you have a condition that affects your lungs or even if you have some difficulty breathing, an oxygen concentrator helps get your body the oxygen it needs to function.
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Unlike a compressed or liquid oxygen tank that you must replace or refill when you run out of oxygen, an oxygen concentrator continuously purifies the air around you (atmospheric air) to deliver 90% to 95% pure oxygen. You breathe in the oxygen through a plastic mask that fits over your mouth and nose or a flexible plastic tube with two prongs that go into your nostrils (nasal cannula).
Don’t use an oxygen concentrator unless a healthcare provider prescribes one for you. Breathing in pure oxygen can cause long-term lung damage if you don’t need oxygen.
There are two main types of oxygen concentrators:
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A healthcare provider may prescribe an oxygen concentrator if you have:
Some people, especially athletes, use an oxygen concentrator when they visit high-altitude areas. When you work out, you breathe harder because your body is trying to get more oxygen to your lungs. Your lungs supply oxygen that your body uses to function. This includes your muscles.
If you can’t get enough oxygen through heavy breathing, your cells will convert carbohydrates into lactate (lactic acid) for short bursts of energy. The name for this process is anaerobic glycolysis. Using an oxygen concentrator helps prevent your body from producing lactic acid, which helps increase energy, reduce fatigue and improve training.
Oxygen concentrators are common. More than 1.5 million people in the United States use some form of oxygen tank as part of their supplemental oxygen therapy, including oxygen concentrators.
The atmospheric air that most people breathe every day is about 20% oxygen. The rest is nitrogen, along with tiny amounts of other gases. Oxygen concentrators take in atmospheric air, remove the nitrogen and collect pure oxygen for you to breathe.
First, it sucks in the atmospheric air through an air filter and forces it through an air compressor. The compressor pressurizes the air — think of it like blowing air into a balloon. As the pressure increases, the air travels into special filters. Oxygen molecules are smaller than nitrogen molecules, so the filters trap the nitrogen and let the oxygen pass through into a collection tank. The oxygen then travels to an oxygen outlet and through your mask or nasal cannula.
It depends on the make, model, oxygen output and number of batteries your oxygen concentrator uses. On average, a single-battery oxygen concentrator lasts from two to six hours. The average double-battery oxygen concentrator can last between five and 13 hours.
A plug-in oxygen concentrator runs as long as you have power in your home.
It depends on why you need supplemental oxygen. Most people must use supplemental oxygen for at least 15 hours every day. Some people need to use it 24 hours a day. A healthcare provider will direct you on how often to use it and what your output setting should be.
If you have a short-term condition, you may only need an oxygen concentrator until you recover.
If you have a long-term condition, you may need to use an oxygen concentrator for the rest of your life. A provider will work with you to help you adapt to living with an oxygen regulator. It may take some adjustments, but it shouldn’t interfere with your everyday activities, including working, bathing, exercising and traveling.
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The main benefit of oxygen concentrators is that they help you breathe easier. They aren’t a cure for your condition and may not completely relieve shortness of breath. But it should be easier to breathe. Higher oxygen levels in your blood can also give you more energy and help you sleep better.
Another benefit is that, unlike other types of oxygen tanks, you don’t need to refill an oxygen concentrator. You’ll have an unlimited oxygen supply as long as you have an energy source.
Oxygen concentrators must have a power source. If you use an oxygen concentrator, it’s a good idea to have at least one set of fully charged batteries or a compressed oxygen tank available in case your power goes out. You should have enough batteries or extra oxygen available for at least a few days.
Pure oxygen can also be dangerous. It isn’t flammable. But it makes fire burn hotter and faster. It can also cause an explosion. Make sure you keep your oxygen concentrator at least 10 feet away from sources of high temperatures or flammable materials, including:
You should also avoid using electrical equipment around your oxygen tank. There’s a risk that electrical equipment can spark and cause a fire. This includes items such as:
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