Nowadays, we rely on our devices for just about everything. Cellphones, for example, are used for everything from making calls and sending text messages to tracking our fitness progress or staying connected with online communities. If you’ve been diagnosed with COPD or another chronic respiratory ailment, this reliance on technology doesn’t go away. In some cases, you might even be more dependent on technology than previously. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though as long as you’re using devices that are reliable and match your lifestyle.

In this post, we’re going to take a look at seven of the most important devices you can own with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or you’ve been living with COPD for some time, these devices are considered to be essential by many or at the very least, incredibly convenient to have. If you have any questions, be sure to leave them in the comment section below, and don’t forget to bookmark our blog page so that you never miss our latest articles.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator

At one point or another, most COPD patients will need to use supplemental oxygen. When the lungs are impaired due to chronic inflammation, supplemental oxygen ensures that the oxygen levels in your blood are normal; and in turn, every organ in your body receives the oxygen it needs to function properly. Supplemental oxygen not only improves your longevity as a COPD patient, but it can also help you feel better in the moment. Oxygen therapy will reduce breathlessness, fatigue, and lightheadedness associated with low oxygen levels.

However, many people falter when it comes to actually choosing the oxygen device that they will use. Patients and healthcare providers often default to oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen tanks because they are cheap and thus have a low barrier of entry. However, when it comes to the patient’s long-term health and well-being, they often find that these oxygen devices are lacking in many ways. First and foremost, they have to be refilled once the oxygen in them is depleted. This can be costly and takes your time and attention away from more important things like spending time with friends and family.

Another problem with oxygen tanks is that they are heavy and bulky. Chances are, you’ve seen people walking around while lugging around a big green tank behind them. The reason these tanks are so big is that they contain compressed oxygen gas which takes up a lot of space. This problem is somewhat mitigated by using a tank that stores oxygen in its liquid form but this still has a lot of problems associated with it. In most cases, the best alternative is to use something called a portable oxygen concentrator.

Unlike oxygen tanks which limit your freedom and mobility, portable oxygen concentrators are designed for people who are on the go frequently and need something reliable. Rather than storing oxygen within the unit, POCs draw in ambient air and remove unnecessary gases, then put out medical-grade oxygen. POCs are electronic devices that run off of powerful lithium-ion batteries. In other words, you simply need access to either a wall or car outlet to charge the batteries, then you will be set for the rest of the day! 

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Nebulizer

Another important device to own as a COPD patient is a nebulizer. What a nebulizer does is crush up your COPD medication into a fine mist called aerosol so that it can be inhaled more easily by the patient. This helps the medication reach your lungs faster and thus is faster-acting than medication that is taken orally. You should be sure to speak with your doctor to see if nebulizers are right for you.

Many people think of nebulizers as devices that they can only use at home, however, there’s been a sudden emergence of portable nebulizers that you can take with you if you go on a trip. Nebulizers differ from inhalers in that they put out a constant stream of aerosol whereas inhalers put out “puffs.” This is beneficial for people with severe COPD who may not be able to inhale deeply or sharply enough to bring the medication into their lungs. With a nebulizer, however, you can simply breathe naturally and be sure that the medication is reaching your lungs.

Much like portable oxygen concentrators, nebulizers are usually electronic devices that either run off of a battery or they need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. It should be noted that not all medications can be administered through a nebulizer. Most likely, your doctor will only have you use medication known as bronchodilators which open up your airways in the event of a COPD exacerbation. Bronchodilators include Pulmicort, Xopenex, albuterol, and more.

Pulse Oximeter

A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the level of oxygen saturation in your blood. Pulse oximeters are very small and lightweight and they’re the least invasive way to check whether you’re getting enough oxygen or not. One of the only other alternatives is arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis which requires your doctor to draw blood in order to determine your oxygen saturation level. While these readings are oftentimes more accurate than pulse oximetry they require you to be at the doctor’s office in order to get your results. Pulse oximeters can be used anywhere and anytime.

Pulse oximeters work by passing light through the finger and measuring the amount of light that comes out the other side. This determines the amount of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood cells and thus your blood oxygen saturation. Many people are surprised to find that these devices cost under $20. However, if you want a more advanced one that connects to your cellphone or smart device, it could run you over $100. Either way, this is something that all COPD patients should have so that they can ensure that they’re receiving enough oxygen. It can also help you determine whether your oxygen device is working properly.

High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation Vest

Mucus plays a very important role in the body. It coats the lining of your lungs and airways and if you inhale irritants or bacteria, the mucus traps it so that it can be cleared before it leads to an infection. Unfortunately, many COPD patients aren’t able to create an expiratory force great enough to clear mucus, and as a result, it becomes lodged in the airways. Years of smoking can also damage the cilia in the airways which are small cells that help pass the mucus out of the lungs. Most COPD patients are taught about airway clearance techniques but these can become very exhausting to do on a daily basis.

Alternatively, COPD patients can invest in something called a high-frequency chest wall oscillation vest. This looks just like a life jacket but it attaches to a machine that vibrates the vest at a high frequency. This causes the mucus in your chest to loosen, and after a few minutes, you can remove the vest and try a huff cough to expel the mucus. The main downside to these vests is that they can run you a pretty penny so it’s best to speak with your doctor before investing in one. What’s more, they aren’t very portable so you should plan to buy one for in-home use only.

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Positive Expiratory Pressure Device

A positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device has a similar function to that of a high-frequency chest wall oscillation vest which we discussed above. However, the PEP device is much smaller and lighter so you can carry it in your purse, handbag, or pocket when you leave the house. With the PEP device, you will blow into a mouthpiece that creates air resistance. This air resistance will keep your airways open as you exhale meaning the mucus can move more freely without obstruction.

If you’ve ever tried the technique called pursed-lip breathing, you know what to expect with a PEP device. During pursed-lip breathing, you inhale deeply through your nose and then out through pursed lips. This helps to reduce chest tightness and get more air into your lungs. The PEP device makes this a little easier because you don’t have to control the amount of resistance so you can focus more on your breathing. PEP devices are also fairly cheap at around $30 to $50 apiece.

Mobility Devices

Words cannot express how important it is to maintain your mobility as you get older. Unfortunately, someone with COPD will likely begin to lose their mobility sooner than most due to reduced lung capacity, however, the good news is that there are plenty of mobility aids to keep you on your feet and moving. Probably one of the more popular mobility devices for people with respiratory ailments is a rollator. This is like a walker but it has wheels on the bottom and brakes so that you have better control. In the middle, there is a small platform where you can put your oxygen device your sit on if you get fatigued.

Another mobility aid that many COPD patients use is an electric scooter. These are best for people with very advanced lung disease who may not be able to walk more than a short distance on their own. Electric scooters offer a lot of storage room for your portable oxygen concentrator as well as personal belongings. However, the downside is that they need to be recharged after a certain amount of use and they are difficult to transport from place to place. Unless you have a caretaker who can help you out with these things, an electric scooter may not be the best option for you.

Last but certainly not least, there are in-home mobility devices like stairlifts. A stairlift is essentially an elevator designed for people who have trouble walking up and down the stairs. While these devices are very safe to use and can save you a lot of hassle, they are also pretty expensive because a professional will need to come to your home to install them. What’s more, they can wear out over time so you may need to call someone to have it repaired or replaced at some point.  

Smartphone or Tablet

Most people have some type of smart device but for the few who do not, it’s worth upgrading, especially if you have COPD or another respiratory condition. Many portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G5 and Caire FreeStyle Comfort make use of smartphone applications to enhance the user’s experience. These apps allow you to do things like track your oxygen usage, check the device user manual and even remotely check your oxygen flow and battery life.

There are many other applications that can make your life easier with COPD. For example, AirNow.gov has a mobile application that allows you to quickly and easily check the air quality in your area which is useful for planning trips. There are apps that can help you plan your diet and exercise routine with COPD as well. Be sure to check out this post where we take a look at some of the best mobile applications for COPD patients.

Conclusion

Being diagnosed with COPD can be life-changing. You’ll need to take steps to slow the progression of your disease like improving your diet, exercise routine, and taking regular trips to the doctor’s office. While this may seem overwhelming at first, it’s helpful to know that there are many resources at your disposal. Not least of which are devices like portable oxygen concentrators, nebulizers, and pulse oximeters. If you have any questions about what you read here, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment. If you’re on the market for a portable oxygen concentrator be sure to reach out to our respiratory specialists by phone or email.

Supplemental oxygen therapy, or simply oxygen therapy, is a treatment that has been around since the late 1800s. It was primarily used to treat the symptoms of pneumonia, but doctors were uncertain how much to administer, how long to keep patients on oxygen, and if there were any serious side-effects. It wasn’t until the late 1900s that there was a significant amount of research on the use of medical oxygen and doctors became more aware of how to use it.

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But the usage of medical oxygen is not the only thing that developed over this time. There were also a number of scientific advancements that revolutionized the way oxygen was administered. For example, the invention of the lithium-ion battery in 1991 made it possible for oxygen manufacturers to produce extremely small, lightweight, and powerful oxygen devices called portable oxygen concentrators. These devices replaced the heavy and bulky oxygen tanks that came before them.

In this post, we’re going to help you understand supplemental oxygen better by outlining some of the conditions that may require its use. Remember that oxygen is a controlled substance in the United States, so if you believe you may need it for medical purposes, you’ll need to get a prescription from your doctor first. If you have one of the following conditions, reach out to your doctor to find out what your oxygen requirements are. Then you can look into the various oxygen devices on the market.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD is probably the first condition you think of when you hear the words “supplemental oxygen.” Not only because most COPD patients are on oxygen, but because COPD is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are around 16 million people with COPD in the United States alone. Worldwide, there are more than 65 million people with COPD.

COPD is actually an umbrella term that denotes two separate but similar diseases: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The former is a disease that affects the airways leading to the lungs called bronchioles. These airways become inflamed and hardened making it difficult to breathe and to clear mucus out of the lungs and throat. Trapped mucus can lead to frequent and recurring lung infections. Chronic bronchitis differs from acute bronchitis in that the damage is permanent and irreversible.

Emphysema, the other condition under the COPD umbrella, is characterized by damage to the alveoli. These are the tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. When lung damage occurs, usually due to cigarette smoking or the inhalation of air pollution, the alveoli begin to swell and fill with fluid. This makes the lungs much less efficient at transferring oxygen to the blood and the lungs also become less elastic meaning it’s physically harder to breathe.

When is Supplemental Oxygen Needed?

COPD is a disease that develops slowly over the course of many years. In fact, the disease is divided into four different stages, each marked by progressively worsening symptoms. Stage one COPD is very mild and may even go unnoticed by the patient. Many people ignore the signs of stage one COPD because they simply view it as a sign of aging. According to COPD.net, it’s estimated that about 12 million people have COPD that has not been diagnosed. Most of whom are in stage one COPD. 

What this means in terms of supplemental oxygen is that most people will not need it during the early stages of the disease. However, as your symptoms progress, you’ll need to communicate closely with your doctor so that he or she knows when it’s best for you to begin oxygen therapy. Before giving you a prescription for oxygen, your doctor will likely perform a test called an arterial blood gas analysis (ABG test). This test will tell you and your doctor the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood so that you can determine if supplemental oxygen will benefit you or not.

Since arterial blood gas analysis requires you to draw blood, there is another less invasive option called pulse oximetry. A pulse oximeter is a small device that slips over your finger. It passes rays of light through your finger in order to approximate your blood oxygen saturation levels. While these tend to be less accurate than ABG tests, they can be extremely convenient, especially for checking your oxygen levels at home without the help of a doctor.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that’s characterized primarily by damage to the lungs and digestive system. It’s a hereditary condition meaning that it’s passed on from parents to their offspring. Around 75 percent of people diagnosed with CF are diagnosed under the age of two. This is in stark contrast to COPD where most cases are diagnosed in patients over the age of 40. According to Medical News Today, all newborns in the United States are screened for cystic fibrosis. 

Cystic fibrosis patients have a mutation in the gene that creates the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). This is a protein that helps regulate fluids and salt throughout the body. This is why CF patients often struggle with overproduction of mucus and sweat inside and outside their body which can lead to blockages and frequent infections, especially in the lungs and the digestive tract. Like COPD, CF is a progressive disease meaning there is no cure and will likely get worse without effective treatment.

When is Supplemental Oxygen Needed?

Supplemental oxygen therapy is a very common treatment option for cystic fibrosis patients. Unfortunately, since cystic fibrosis is so rare, there are far fewer studies to go off of when determining if supplemental oxygen is right for each patient. However, clinical trials have shown that oxygen therapy can stabilize CF and allow patients to sleep better, exercise effectively, and maintain an otherwise normal life. But since CF causes thick mucus, treating this disease is usually focused on reversing these effects. So, mucus thinners are usually the most important treatment option for CF patients.

Supplemental oxygen can be prescribed for either short- or long-term use in cystic fibrosis. If the patient is experiencing chronic low blood oxygen levels, you might be required to use oxygen for several hours a day or more. On the other hand, if your low blood oxygen levels are intermittent and caused by things like flare-ups you might be prescribed the use of oxygen only when your respiratory symptoms are elevated.  

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)

Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition that is commonly confused with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but they are not the same thing. While they certainly exhibit some of the same symptoms, they differ greatly in terms of what causes them, the type of damage that’s done to the lungs, and the long-term outlook for patients. Like the name suggests, COPD is an “obstructive” disease. This means that it impairs your ability to expel air from the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis, on the other hand, is a restrictive lung disease meaning it prevents the lungs from fully expanding. 

Another difference between the two is that COPD results in inflammation in the lungs due to exposure to cigarette smoke whereas pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by fibrosis or “scar tissue” in the lungs from years of exposure to pollution. In COPD, the airways become narrowed preventing you from expelling air and leading to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. In pulmonary fibrosis, the lungs themselves may be stiff or too weak to inhale and exhale fully. On the surface, these things are indistinguishable, but there are some significant differences in the way they are treated.

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Whereas COPD is mainly caused by cigarette smoking or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, there are many potential causes of pulmonary fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common type. The term “idiopathic” simply means that the disease developed with no known cause. IPF is most common among people between the ages of 50 and 70. Pulmonary can be caused by other diseases, most commonly autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, or scleroderma. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and viral infections can also lead to an increased risk of contracting pulmonary fibrosis.

There is also a genetic component to cystic fibrosis. Studies have shown that genes play a role in determining whether someone contracts pulmonary fibrosis. But more research is needed to say exactly how it contributes. Pulmonary fibrosis that is believed to have genetic cause is referred to as “familial PF.”

Lastly, pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by exposure to hazardous materials. Occupational hazards like silica and asbestos are most likely to cause PF. It can also be caused by radiation treatments and certain types of medications. Cigarette smoking is not a cause of pulmonary fibrosis but it can be a risk factor meaning it makes someone more likely to contract pulmonary fibrosis.

When is Supplemental Oxygen Needed?

As you can imagine, prescribing supplemental oxygen for pulmonary fibrosis can be a little more challenging than with other conditions. There are many different causes of fibrosis in the lungs so it’s more difficult to determine if additional oxygen is needed. Regardless, supplemental oxygen is still widely in use by people with pulmonary fibrosis and many people say that it helps them live an active lifestyle and feel better in their day-to-day lives.

According to UCSF Health, pulmonary fibrosis patients need oxygen when their saturation falls below 89 percent or arterial oxygen pressure falls below 60 mmHg. This is regardless of whether the patient is at rest, active, or asleep. Oxygen is a vital resource for your body and it’s used by every organ in the body so maintaining the proper oxygen levels in the blood at all times can go a long way towards preventing pulmonary fibrosis symptoms.

Severe Asthma

Asthma is the world’s most common respiratory condition. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 7.7 percent of American adults and 8.4 percent of American children have it. The number of people who have it has also been increasing since the 1980s likely due to an increase in environmental pollutions like airborne pollens, car pollution, and even changes in the climate.

Asthma is a condition where a patient’s airways become narrowed, inflamed, and filled with mucus which makes it difficult to breathe as well as causing chest pain and fatigue. While COPD and asthma attacks are very similar events, the main difference between the two is that asthma is not a progressive disease so the airways typically go back to normal after an attack rather than becoming increasingly more inflamed like they would in a COPD patient. Asthma is also not caused by smoking, however, it is a risk factor.

The good news when it comes to asthma is that only about 5 to 10 percent of cases are severe and life-threatening. The majority of asthma patients find themselves limited in their exercise ability and they might experience more frequent and severe allergic reactions, especially to seasonal allergies. But most people with asthma are able to live normal lives without a major reduction in their life expectancy.

When is Supplemental Oxygen Needed

Unlike with the other conditions listed above, supplemental oxygen is really only prescribed in rare cases of asthma. In chronic bronchitis, the airways are always inflamed and damaged and in emphysema, the lungs are always inflamed, so this explains why many COPD patients need to be on oxygen 24 hours a day. However, in asthma, the airways are mostly healthy when the patient is not experiencing an asthma attack. 

Generally, rescue inhalers and nebulizers are used to treat asthma attacks. These medications are designed to open up the airways and reduce inflammation so that the patient can breathe normally. However, there is a type of asthma attack often referred to as “acute severe asthma” or a “severe asthma exacerbation” where supplemental oxygen is almost certainly needed. These types of asthma attacks do not react the same way to traditional asthma medications like bronchodilators so patients need to receive supplemental oxygen in order to maintain healthy blood oxygen saturation.

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure, also known as heart failure, is a disease where your heart doesn’t pump blood in the way that it should. This is usually brought on by a number of conditions such as narrowed heart arteries (coronary artery disease) or high blood pressure. What results in your heart muscle being too weak or stiff to pump blood as effectively as it did when you were healthy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in people 65 years and older.

Just like your lungs, your heart plays an important role in your systemic health. When your body isn’t able to pump blood effectively, other areas of your body may suffer just as greatly. Edema is one sign that you’re experiencing heart failure. This is when your extremities such as your hands, feet, or legs begin to fill with fluid, usually turning a purple color. And while edema on its own is not usually a serious problem, it’s a sign that you could be suffering from heart failure or some other heart-related problem.

Another area of the body that’s affected by your heart health is your lungs. This is because your heart and lungs work together to circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. When your heart is unable to circulate blood properly it can lead to symptoms like shortness of breath, problems exercising, and chronic fatigue. This is often caused by either congestion in the lungs or a lack of oxygen in the tissues throughout your body which can make you feel tired and weak. You might also experience dizziness, confusion, or problems concentrating.

When is Supplemental Oxygen Needed?

Since congestive heart failure is a disease that affects the heart, it’s hard to compare to the other diseases on this list which are all lung diseases. However, despite this fact, congestive heart failure still sometimes requires the use of supplemental oxygen. More often than not, your doctor will prescribe you with supplemental oxygen when your heart failure causes low levels of oxygen in your blood. According to Web MD, you’re less likely to be prescribed oxygen if you just have mild symptoms because too much oxygen can be very dangerous in heart failure patients.  

All things considered, supplemental oxygen is not a cure-all when it comes to heart disease. In reality, it won’t do a lot to help you manage heart disease symptoms. What it aims to do is prevent collateral issues caused by heart disease. In other words, it prevents further damage from being done to your body.

Conclusion

Supplemental oxygen therapy is a treatment with a long history. It’s been used for hundreds of years to help pneumonia patients manage their symptoms and over the years, researchers have discovered many other conditions that can benefit from supplemental oxygen. If you have one of the conditions listed above, it may be worth asking your doctor if you could benefit from using supplemental oxygen.

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If your doctor prescribes you supplemental oxygen, you’re going to need an oxygen device that’s right for you and your needs. Here at LPT Medical, we have a wide selection of stationary oxygen concentrators, portable continuous flow oxygen concentrators, and portable pulse dose oxygen concentrators. These devices are significantly less bulky and heavy than traditional oxygen delivery methods such as oxygen tanks and liquid oxygen tanks, but they provide you the same medical-grade oxygen. Feel free to reach out to us either by email or by phone to speak with an oxygen concentrator specialist.

If you have a respiratory disease that requires oxygen therapy as treatment, you have a few options as to how you get your oxygen. 

Pulse vs. Continuous Oxygen Flow 

First, it is important to know what type of oxygen flow you require— pulse flow or continuous flow. If you need continuous flow, you need an oxygen device that provides a constant flow of oxygen whether or not you're inhaling or exhaling. 

Pulse flow oxygen devices offer “doses” of oxygen every time the device notices your inhale.

At first glance both methods seem rather straight forward, however, pulse low devices require a certain technological advancement that allows the device to recognize what your inhale is. 

A portable oxygen concentrator is the best option for oxygen patients who need pulse flow and/or continuous flow oxygen. These devices are battery powered and are designed to be portable for anyone that likes to be active! If you have a high end pulse flow device, like the Caire Freestyle Comfort, it has built in technology that recognizes even the shallowest inhales, thereby ensuring you get the right amount of oxygen no matter what. 

Exercise and Oxygen Therapy 

Even with a respiratory disease that impacts your ability to breathe, exercise and maintaining the ability to be mobile is an essential part of treatment! Being active helps you keep your bones, muscles, and lungs strong. Without regular exercise, your bone muscle and joints will weaken and start to deteriorate, then your symptoms associated with respiratory disease will worsen at a faster rate.

Because exercise is so important, yet breathing is so difficult, respiratory patients have a lot of uphill battling to do, literally and figuratively. It is helpful to have an oxygen device that works with you to battle through exercise, rather than battling the exercise and oxygen device. 

You and your oxygen device are a team. Once you are prescribed medical oxygen as a form of treatment you have it for the rest of your life! 

In order to maintain the highest quality of life as an oxygen patient, you must abide by the oxygen prescription laid out for you. It is not easy, and it will take time to adjust to the supplemental oxygen. 

In order to adjust to oxygen therapy and simultaneously keep up with your other respiratory treatments, you will want a reliable, easy to use portable oxygen device. 

If you want a high quality oxygen device to help you do the job, you will need to do a little bit of research, but LPT Medical makes this very easy. 

You can start with a phone call, speak with a LPT Medical respiratory specialist about your oxygen requirements, your lifestyle, your goals, and they will pick out the oxygen device that suits your needs best. 

If you are a pulse flow patient, and you enjoy being active or have goals to increase your activity/mobility levels, we will recommend a few devices. One of our longtime best selling pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators is the Caire Freestyle comfort, and for a number of reasons we will go over later in this blog! 

That being said, we recently added three NEW portable oxygen concentrators to our catalog, and we are excited to introduce these new devices into the lives of our oxygen patients! One of the new devices that is comparable to a best seller is the Devilbiss iGo 2 portable oxygen concentrators. 

Let's learn more about it!

DeVilbiss iGo 2 Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare is an oxygen manufacturing company that is dedicated to developing state-of-the-art equipment fully equipped with cutting-edge technology.

It is this spirit that gives quality of life to the users of their products. This is evident when we look at the DeVilbiss iGo 2 portable oxygen concentrator and what it has to offer you, the oxygen user.

The DeVilbiss iGo 2 is a pulse flow device that is simple to use, yet so complex and changes the way of oxygen therapy forever. Built with integrity and the oxygen user in mind, this device makes breathing easy again.

SmartDoseTM Auto-Adjusting Conserver Technology

The DeVilbiss iGo 2 comes equipped with an auto-adjusting converser feature, this technology works to adjust the oxygen production and delivery to meet your specific oxygen demands. No matter what you are doing, whether it's an activity or rest, your oxygen from the iGo 2 will always be optimized to meet your needs.

This SmartDose Technology makes this oxygen unit the most efficient and effective on the market. The SmartDose works by detecting your breathing rate and delivering more oxygen when your breath increases and will reduce flow once your breath comes down again, always ensuring your oxygen levels are stable and consistent.

Basically, you will never need to manually adjust the setting of your oxygen device, just breath!

Battery Life

One of the reasons so many people own portable oxygen concentrators over oxygen tanks and canisters is because they are able to use an oxygen device that runs off of battery power and has an unlimited supply of oxygen. So, the iGo 2 took no shortcuts when it came to changeability and battery life!

The DeVilbiss iGo2 can last for 3.5 hours on a pulse flow setting 2, that means you have plenty of time to run errands, go for a walk, attend your pulmonary rehab class on one charge.

If you plan to be out and about longer, you can purchase a second battery to use as a backup for longer trips and flights! (Yup, the iGo is FAA approval and you can use it on planes)

Switching batteries, and replacing the dead battery with the fully charged battery is a breeze. This device’s battery dock is located on the top of the machine, so accessing the battery is effortless because it opens without having to remove the device from the carrying case.

You can also charge the battery while you are using the device, just plug it into the wall with the AC power cord, or use the DC power cord to charge in the car, RV, or boat and just breathe!

Small, Compact, and Easy to Use

The DeVilbliss iGo 2 is a small compact device that stands 8.4” tall, 3.5” wide, and 8.6” long! It fits perfectly in the custom carrying case and including the shoulder strap it weighs a total of 5 pounds! The custom carrying case is visually appealing, and it is the perfect balance of casual and professional, the black leather custom carrying case looks great on all genders and ages!

The device hangs nicely near your waist, and sits comfortably strapped over your shoulder. Carry it as easily as you would a regular size handbag, and don’t worry about bumps in the road, the i Go 2’s rugged design is lined with protective rubberized casing, that keeps the device safe against damage from bumps and drops, and the rubber casing even protects your device from mold!

The SmartDose technology makes the iGo 2 super easy to use because you never have to adjust your oxygen delivery setting. Instead the device is able to increase the oxygen output when you are breathing deeper during exercise or activity, and it will reduce the oxygen output when your breath comes back to a normal rate, ensuring you are getting enough oxygen and also not too much!

This isn’t the only reason the iGo is so user friendly, the control center is a LCD screen that lights up with big letters and numbers indicating the battery life and oxygen setting.

The iGo 2 takes care of you. With respiratory disease, forgetting a simple step in your treatment of daily plan can be harmful to your health and wellbeing and unfortunately it is also something that happens all too often.

The iGo 2 has audible alerts for when it has a low battery, low oxygen output, no breath detected in PulseDose mode, high temperature, or unit malfunction! This is peace of mind you can't get with any other oxygen device.

FAA Approved

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for overseeing safety regulations for commercial airlines in the United States. Without FAA approval, you will not be able to carry your oxygen concentrator on a plane. Fortunately, the DeVilbiss iGo 2 is already approved by this government organization. All you’ll need to do is get in touch with your airline before you fly!

So, all of these feature make the iGo 2 an unstoppable oxygen device, but how does it compare to one of our long-term best selling devices on the market? 

Let’s talk about the Caire Freestyle Comfort! 

The Caire Freestyle Comfort Portable Oxygen Device

CAIRE Inc. is one of the global leaders in oxygen supply manufacturing. For 50 years, they’ve worked to refine and improve oxygen delivery equipment that helps respiratory patients live more active and productive lives. 

The CAIRE Freestyle Comfort is the latest pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator by CAIRE Inc. This new oxygen machine offers a lightweight and ergonomic design that’s comfortable and easy to carry whether you’re just going for a walk in the park or taking a long trip across the world. 

UltraSense Breath Detection Technology

The Caire Freestyle Comfort offers an ultra-sensitive breath detection feature that makes this oxygen unit one of the most efficient and effective on the market. Rather than providing you with a constant stream of oxygen, the Freestyle Comfort delivers oxygen only when a breath is detected. This “bolus” of oxygen is precisely synced with your breathing ensuring no oxygen is wasted.

The Freestyle Comfort offers you 5 oxygen flow settings with a maximum oxygen output of 1050ml/min. This is enough oxygen for the vast majority of oxygen patients, and for some, it provides plenty of room to move up if their symptoms progress. The Caire Freestyle Comfort is one of the top-tier pulse flow oxygen concentrators when it comes to total oxygen output.

Long Battery Life

Unlike oxygen tanks, pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators like the Freestyle Comfort run on batteries. You’ll be happy to know that this oxygen machine will provide you with plenty of battery life to help you live life on your own terms without boundaries.

On the lowest flow setting with the 16-cell battery, you’ll experience an astounding 16 hours of battery life! That’s 3 more hours than top-of-its-class portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G5. What this means is that you’ll be able to stay out and about for longer without having to come back home to recharge your unit.

Like with Inogen oxygen concentrators, you’ll be able to charge your Freestyle Comfort through either an AC or a DC outlet. Whether you’re at home or in the car, you’ll be able to charge your device wherever you please. The 8-cell battery has a recharge time of about 3.5 hours and the 16-cell battery has a recharge time of about 6 hours.

Comfortable and Ergonomic

If you’ve ever used a bulky and cumbersome continuous flow concentrator, you know that they’re anything but user-friendly. While they do offer you the oxygen you need, it doesn’t feel like they were built with your comfort in mind.

The Caire Freestyle Comfort got its name for a reason; it was specifically designed to be comfortable to wear and use. This oxygen unit has a curved design that fits the natural shape of your body. While you’re walking, it will stay at your side instead of sliding around and interfering with your natural movements. All of the buttons for your oxygen control as well as the power switch are conveniently located on the top of the unit and the batteries can be easily pulled off the bottom of the unit for replacement.

The Caire Freestyle Comfort is one of the lightest portable oxygen concentrators on the market, weighing in at just 5 pounds with the 8-cell battery and 6 pounds with the 16-cell battery. This means you’ll be able to carry your oxygen unit without ever experiencing back pain or unnecessary strain that can ruin your day.  

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FAA Approved

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for overseeing safety regulations for commercial airlines in the United States. Without FAA approval, you will not be able to carry your oxygen concentrator on a plane. Fortunately, the Caire Freestyle Comfort is already approved by this government organization. All you’ll need to do is get in touch with your airline of choice well enough ahead of your flight.

Overview 

Clearly, both of these oxygen devices fit into your life as the perfect travel and exercise companion. 

Both are able to detect the shallowest of breaths, so you never have to think twice about getting the oxygen you need. This peace of mind alone can give you the freedom and independence you desire, making all of the costs of the POC worth it. 

Beyond oxygen delivery, there are so many other features that make both the iGo 2 and the Freestyle Comfort worthwhile. Whether you are attracted to the lightweight compact design, or the long-lasting battery life, you get it all! 

If you want to learn more about the Carie Freestyle Comfort or the DeVilbiss iGo 2, simply call 1-(800)-946-1201 to speak with LPT Medical, we are happy to talk over the phone about the prices, your payment plan options, 3 year warranty on new devices and much more! 

Believe it or not, oxygen has been used for medical purposes for quite some time. The first recorded use of medical oxygen was in 1885 when it was us

ed to treat pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. But back then, oxygen therapy wasn’t what it is today. Doctors were unaware of exactly how oxygen should be used, what it could treat, and the best way to administer it.

At the turn of the 20th century, medical oxygen saw some major advancements. A nasal catheter was invented to improve the way oxygen was administered and scientists learned of the benefits of oxygen when treating chronic lung conditions like COPD. Due to the rapid advancement of aircraft technology before World War 2, oxygen masks were implemented into planes, allowing pilots to fly at higher altitudes.

In the 1970s, a number of studies were conducted that aimed to determine the necessary duration of oxygen therapy in order to maximize its clinical benefits. Oxygen tanks — still bulky and cumbersome — could finally be prescribed for in-home use. And despite the limitations, respiratory patients were able to experience significant relief from their symptoms.

At the start of the 21st century, portable oxygen cylinders provided some freedom for respiratory patients; but without making them bigger and heavier, people had a very limited amount of oxygen to work with. What’s more, there were still many safety concerns when it came to carrying compressed oxygen in public areas. It wasn’t until the invention of the portable oxygen concentrator that people could expect to retain all their freedom and independence while receiving the oxygen they need.

After nearly 20 years of refinement and improvement, portable oxygen concentrators have become the industry standard. POCs like the Inogen One G5 are so small and lightweight that they can fit inside a purse. Because oxygen concentrators contain no compressed oxygen, they’re much safer and more convenient to use in your day-to-day life. 

In this post, we’re going to take a look at just how far oxygen therapy has come and how the Inogen One G5 has revolutionized the way oxygen patients live.

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What is the Inogen One G5?

The Inogen 1 G5 is the latest pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator produced by Inogen. It’s the newest in a line of POCs that has aimed to make oxygen therapy more convenient and accessible for the average person. The term “pulse flow” refers to the way oxygen is delivered. Rather than putting out a constant stream of oxygen, these devices closely monitor a patient’s breathing pattern and administer oxygen only when it’s needed.

The Inogen One G5 works by drawing in air through its intake vents. Nitrogen — which makes up about 80 percent of the air we breathe — is removed from the air and pure oxygen is sent out through the nasal cannula. This device receives its power from a battery pack that’s attached to the bottom of the unit. Once it’s depleted, it can easily be charged with a car or wall outlet or replaced with another battery.

While oxygen tanks are still in use today, they’re primarily used in hospitals where portability isn’t an issue and patient safety can be closely monitored by a medical professional. Oxygen tanks are not recommended for in-home use because they’re a major fire hazard and they’re costly to refill.

High Oxygen Output

Oxygen has a wide range of uses when it comes to treating both acute and chronic respiratory illnesses. Medical oxygen is used to:

• Help with resuscitation
• Assist with artificial ventilation and life support
• Maintain cardiovascular stability
• Restore tissue oxygen tension (partial pressure of oxygen)
• And provide a basis for most anesthetic techniques

The amount of oxygen that’s administered to a patient is very important. For example, a COPD patient who receives too little oxygen is more likely to feel out of breath throughout the day. Whereas a COPD patient who receives too much oxygen may begin to exhibit signs of oxygen toxicity such as nausea, anxiety, and dizziness.

The Inogen One G5 proved that it’s possible to not only provide oxygen users with a high flow of oxygen on-the-go, but that they’ll be able to monitor it and adjust it to the level prescribed by their pulmonologist. As of now, the Inogen One G5 has the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator on the market and it provides enough oxygen for the vast majority of respiratory patients. The chart below shows the G5’s oxygen output versus other high flow pulse flow units on the market.

One of the greatest things about pulse flow concentrators with a high oxygen output is that it prevents many oxygen patients from needed to switch over to continuous flow portable concentrators. While there are many reliable and effective continuous flow POCs out there, they tend to be much bulkier and difficult to transport than their pulse flow counterparts. These units are designed for people with late-stage COPD who need significantly more oxygen. The Inogen 1 G5, however, proved that it’s possible to offer higher oxygen outputs without losing the benefits of being a pulse flow unit.

Safe and Secure

It’s hard to believe that people have been using oxygen tanks for so long considering how dangerous they are. In fact, we’ve put together a whole guide on using oxygen safely whether you’re using an oxygen tank or an oxygen concentrator. So what exactly makes oxygen tanks so unsafe and oxygen concentrators like the G5 so much more safe?

One of the main reasons they’re so dangerous is because they contain compressed gas. In other words, the oxygen is forced into a cylinder so that the molecules are packed as closely together as possible. Aluminum oxygen tanks are usually filled up to around 2,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). That’s about 50 times as much pressure as the air inside your car’s tires! As you can imagine, carrying around a tank with this much compressed air is very dangerous because it can explode if it’s not handled carefully.

Another reason this is so dangerous is because oxygen is a major fire hazard. Oxygen itself cannot light on fire, but it makes everything it’s exposed to more flammable. This is known as an “oxidizer.” This does not mean that anyone exposed to smoke or fire will burst into flames, but if a fire does start near an oxygen tank, the flame will be fed by the oxygen.

The reason the Inogen One G5 is so safe is that it contains no pressurized oxygen. If you drop it on the ground, you won’t have to worry about it exploding or leaking oxygen. Unlike an oxygen tank, the Inogen One G5 does not put out a constant stream of oxygen. It only puts out a bolus of oxygen when it detects a breath. So, if you happen to take the nasal cannula off and leave it, you won’t have to worry about oxygen coming out of the device.

Easy to Carry and Use

Another important thing to note about oxygen tanks is that they will never become smaller or more compact. Oxygen can only be compressed so much and if it’s compressed too much, it could be even more of a hazard to your health and well-being. Liquid oxygen tanks partially solved this issue because instead of oxygen being stored as a compressed gas, it’s stored as a compressed liquid. Since oxygen expands 860 times when converted to a gas, liquid tanks are much smaller. 

The biggest downside to liquid oxygen is that it needs to be stored in a special container that keeps it at a very low temperature. This can be costly and it’s also expensive to have it refilled regularly. Liquid oxygen units partially fixed the problems with compressed oxygen tanks, but not fully. Unlike both liquid and compressed oxygen, portable oxygen concentrators allow you to carry a lightweight device anywhere you go with an infinite supply of oxygen. All you need is an outlet to be able to charge your batteries.

Out of all of the pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market, the Inogen One G5 is one of the lightest, smallest, and easiest to carry. Weighing only 4.7 pounds with the single-cell battery, the G5 is no heavier than a handbag or purse with a couple of your personal belongings in it. Also, unlike oxygen tanks, the Inogen G5 has a very natural box-like shape that won’t get in your way as you walk and go about your day. You’ll be able to carry it on your back, at your side, or even simply carry it in your hands.

The Inogen One G5 has a built-in control panel on the top of the unit so that you can adjust your oxygen delivery on the fly. Many G5 accessories like the G5 custom carrying case are designed so that you can access the controls without ever removing the device from your shoulder. What’s more, if you have a smartphone device, you can download the free Inogen Connect app which connects to your G5 via Bluetooth. This app will provide you with important information such as your battery life, column status, and troubleshooting info. 

Ample Battery Life

Battery life is another important thing to consider when purchasing an oxygen therapy device. It goes without saying that compressed oxygen tanks do not have batteries. If you use any type of oxygen tank, you’ll be limited by the amount of oxygen that the tank can hold. However, when you use a portable oxygen concentrator, you’re only limited by how long the battery lasts. Fortunately, oxygen manufacturers have been able to produce batteries that last a long time on one charge. The Inogen One G5 can last up to 13 hours while using the double-cell battery!

The bottom line is that it’s much easier to recharge a battery than it is to refill an oxygen tank. Using the AC charging cable for the Inogen One G5, you’ll be able to charge your oxygen generator in any wall outlet. If you’re in another country, simply purchase an adapter that works for whatever country you’re currently in. On the other hand, if you’re taking a car trip or you’re going to be in the car a lot, you can use the DC charging cable to charge your oxygenator in the cigarette lighter.

Oxygen tanks are much more difficult to deal with once they run out of oxygen. Instead of simply plugging it into a wall outlet, you’ll need to go out of your way to find an oxygen refill station. You can use your own oxygen refill machine if you want, but those cost thousands of dollars and they are not portable. Alternatively, you could go to a company that specializes in oxygen tank refills which could put you out of the way of where you’re going. 

FAA Approved

If you had told someone from the previous millennium that they’d be able to carry their oxygen therapy device on an airplane, they’d probably look at you like you were crazy! Airlines are picky enough as it is when it comes to what you can carry onto the airplane so an oxygen device would be out of the question.

Fortunately, times have changed for the better and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has become much more lenient on what you can take on the plane. But more importantly, oxygen concentrators have become much safer and easy to use. Since POCs like the Inogen One G5 are so small, you can easily store it under the seat when the plane is taking off or landing. If you need to go to the bathroom during your flight, you’ll be able to walk down the aisle without bumping into people or wearing yourself out.

While there are other oxygen concentrators that are FAA approved, the Inogen One G5 is much safer to have as a carry-on item. Take for example the SeQual Eclipse 5. This is a continuous flow oxygenator that’s approved by the FAA for in-flight use. While it is considered “portable,” when it comes to flying with it, you’ll find that it’s much easier to just stay home. Weighing in at 18.4 pounds, it’s almost five times the weight of the Inogen One G5! That’s much too heavy to carry over your shoulder or on your back. Instead, you’ll need to trail it behind you using a specially designed carrying cart. 

Reliable and Durable

Reliability is very important when it comes to oxygen therapy. The majority of oxygen patients need to be hooked up to their oxygen devices 24/7 so it’s only natural to purchase a machine that can run all day and night. You’ll be happy to know that the Inogen One G5 was designed for just that. With a processor that’s designed to work for 20,000 hours without repairs, you won’t have to worry about the integrity of your device when you need it the most.

The Inogen One G5 is also very durable compared to other pulse flow oxygen concentrators. Most patients are surprised when they pick it up for the first time because it has a very small form factor but it feels solid and sturdy. All the internal components are protected by a hard outer shell that prevents everything from moving around while you’re on the go.

Plenty of Ways to Customize

If there’s one thing you should know about Inogen, it’s that they go above and beyond to ensure that each and every oxygen user is able to live life on their own terms. One of the ways they do this is by offering a variety of accessories that you can use to customize your experience. 

One of the most important things to consider is the way you carry your G5. Everyone has their own way of carrying a POC and that’s why Inogen has released products like the G5 custom carrying bag and the G5 backpack. The custom bag is for people who don’t want to carry personal belongings. It’s great for a quick trip to the grocery store or to a friend’s house. The G5 backpack, on the other hand, provides ample room for personal belongings. It’s great if you’re going on a long trip around the world.

The G5 external battery charger is another great accessory to invest in. This device allows you to charge your G5 batteries without them being attached to the unit. If you’re on the go frequently, this is great for helping you keep your batteries charged all the time even if you have two or more of them. It’s light enough that you can toss it in your G5 backpack for when you move onto the next destination.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Inogen One G5 is nothing short of revolutionary. Oxygen concentrators have been around for several decades now, but each one has had significant faults that set them back. For example, the AirSep Focus is the lightest oxygen concentrator ever produced at just 1.75 pounds, but it only offers 1.75 hours of freedom before you need to go charge it again.

The Inogen One G5 broke the mold by offering a great battery life, lightweight design, and the highest oxygen output of any POC on the market. It’s also one of the newest portable oxygenators released by Inogen, so you can expect it to be supported for many years to come if you ever need repairs or replacement parts.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security reported in early 2020 that there were localized issues in securing enough oxygen to treat seriously ill COVID-19 patients.This was at the beginning of the pandemic, and predictions surrounding the availability of oxygen devices proved to be true in the following months. 

COVID-19 ran rapidly throughout the world, and it became clear that this virus most commonly attacked the respiratory system. This was cause for concern for everyone, but especially people with pre existing lung conditions, and other auto-immune diseases. 

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In this blog, we are going to take a look into how the pandemic changed the medical supplemental oxygen supply and how oxygen companies adapted to the increase in demand for oxygen. There will also be information about how you can protect yourself as an oxygen patient should there ever be a shortage of supplemental oxygen again.  

Breathing Devices Used to Treat COVID-19 

Breathing aid devices are used to help patients with acute respiratory problems caused by illness like pneumonia or diseases like COVID-19, asthma, and COPD. 

The most common oxygen breathing aids that are utilized for COVID-19 patients are ventilators, CPAP devices, and oxygen therapy devices. For oxygen therapy devices hospitals were able to use tanks and canisters 

For patients who have COPD or cystic fibrosis, two very common chronic lung diseases, they are prescribed supplemental oxygen which can be taken using at home oxygen therapy devices like the portable oxygen concentrators.

If you are a long term oxygen patient, you know your Peak Inspiratory Flow Rate (PIFR), and whether you need pulse flow or continuous flow.

COVID-19 patients who suffer from a severe reaction require a very high flow of oxygen therapy, usually five to ten times more oxygen than a mechanical ventilator… well…  it becomes quite clear why oxygen shortages were so common. 

In hospitals there are capacity limits on piped supplies of oxygen. Once, the hospital was overflowing with COVID patients who required too much oxygen, the hospitals resorted to using portable oxygen devices to treat COVID-19 patients, which subsequently caused oxygen cylinder shortages. 

Initially it was suspected that this problem could affect not only hospitals and patients inside, but also for those folks with lung conditions who rely on oxygen deliveries from their oxygen supply company at their homes. 

How the Oxygen Crisis Hit El Paso in 2020

There is no good time for COVID-19 cases to spike anywhere, but in El Paso this happened at the exact wrong time; new COVID-19 patients were streaming into hospitals, all of them needing high flow rates of oxygen to breathe. 

This sudden, and large extraction on the oxygen gas supply created countless issues, but mainly it froze the hospital's pipes and the vaporizers on oxygen tanks, the capacity to flow oxygen throughout the hospital's patients was reduced by as much as 70%.

So something had to be done and quickly. Local oxygen companies built pop-up tents with new oxygen pipes in hospital parking lots. 

Then there were more obstacles when they required more tubes, flow meters, nasal cannulas and portable cylinders required to make the gas breathable. This product was also in short supply.

In El Paso alone, the demand for oxygen cylinders at least tripled.

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How we Adapted to Oxygen Shortages Across the Country

Oxygen demand spikes correlated with areas where hospitals reached capacity. So as COVID-19 hot spots traveled from coast to coast the demands on oxygen followed.

Medical oxygen companies quickly became aware of what happens in COVID-19 hot spots as it did in El Paso and all over the US. Oxygen supply companies were able to go out and get oxygen from across the country from places where it was in supply or it was able to be shipped to places in need. 

The U.S. was able to alleviate these shortages by developing new ways of pooling oxygen resources.

Adapting to oxygen shortage was not easy because oxygen is not easy to transport. For it to be considered medical grade oxygen, it must be liquified and stored at minus 280 degrees Fahrenheit. To ship it requires special trucks.

Typically, oxygen is produced and shipped from the facility within around 100 miles of where it's needed. There are plenty of oxygen producers on the East Coast due to the large steel plants, but there are less out West. The lack of oxygen producers out west contributed greatly to the difficulties hospitals and states faced when trying to increase supply of oxygen.

In summary, Not everyone was worried about the shortage of oxygen, however we can relate to the anxiety because all of us are subject to the chaos of toilet paper shortages or even medical masks. The comparison is minimal at best, we can live without toilet paper, but we can’t live without oxygen...

There was a necessary cooperation that took place amongst members of the oxygen supply industry. Even when hospitals overflowed, companies were there ready to help sharing  information about what they'd learned earlier in the pandemic, and taught others how to build pop-up hospitals in order to quickly solve the problem of oxygen pipes freezing.

How Did Oxygen Shortages Affect Long-Term Oxygen Patients 

Oxygen gas is the support of all human life and for people with chronic lung conditions supplemental oxygen is the difference between surviving and feeling short of breath and incurring low oxygen levels. 

Oxygen therapy is absolutely crucial for lung patients as a breathing aid, with and without COVID-19. Oxygen therapy is generally received using tubes that go through the nose or with a face mask. 

The increased demand for new oxygen machines came primarily from COVID-19 patients who were getting large prescriptions for portable oxygen. But there were also patients who already had been reliant on portable oxygen cylinders to treat conditions like emphysema and COPD at home or in the hospital were still needed to get their devices refilled, amid the pandemic. 

New protocols and tactics were quickly developed to get oxygen into the hands of everyone that needed it. 

Luckily, oxygen device manufacturers were able to prepare and meet demands, both stimulating the oxygen device market but also getting patients the oxygen they need either to treat COVID-19 or a long term supplemental oxygen need for chronic lung conditions. 

Luckily, the United States was able to adjust to these circumstances, and help each other. This cannot be said for countries around the world. 

Even outside of a pandemic, oxygen patients are often reliant on their oxygen supply company. They expect and need their oxygen to be resupplied bi-weekly sometimes weekly depending on their prescription! 

Anything could happen when there are multiple “middle-men” involved in getting you your oxygen. There could be a bottleneck in the supply chain, management issues, or a global pandemic that could interfere with the delivery of your oxygen tanks at anytime. 

Relieving this stress is simple, and actually cost effective too!   

What Oxygen Device Should You Have to Ensure You Get the Oxygen You Need? 

There are three options you have when it comes to choosing an oxygen device, and the safest and most reliable option is a portable oxygen concentrator. These are also the most modern devices compared to liquid and gas oxygen tanks. 

These devices are the future of supplemental oxygen therapy. While tanks and canisters are ok to keep as a backup device, they do present many dangers and challenges for the oxygen user. 

1. Dependance on a medical oxygen company to get your oxygen refills 
2. Expensive to refill you tanks 
3. Creates a flammable oxygen-rich environment
4. Cannot travel on airplanes 
5. Heavy and cumbersome 

On the other hand, portable oxygen concentrators are oxygen devices that create a sense of independence and peace of mind. Should an oxygen shortage ever happen again, and the liquid and gas tank companies are not able to keep up with the demand, you will not have to worry about running out of oxygen. 

With portable oxygen concentrators, you will never run low on oxygen. These devices extract air from the surrounding area and use a rechargeable battery to filter the air into medical grade oxygen that you breathe in through the nose cannula or face mask. 

Overview 

The pandemic has shifted many people's mindset toward supplemental oxygen therapy. 

It is so valuable in today’s day and age to have an oxygen device that will give you the oxygen you need no matter what is going on in this crazy world of ours!

While oxygen supply companies stepped to the plate this time around, and they were able to supply oxygen to the hospitals in a time of desperation, we get feedback all of the time from LPT customers who say that their oxygen supply company can not be relied on. 

LPT Medical’s portable oxygen concentrator all come with a 3 year long warranty, and you are alway able to buy a second battery for emergencies. Owning a portable oxygen concentrator takes all of the stress out of oxygen therapy. 

Here at LPT Medical, our goal is to get a portable oxygen concentrator in the hands of anyone who needs one. While oxygen tanks get the job done, we strongly believe that having a portable, lightweight oxygen device can significantly improve the lives of COPD patients around the world by empowering them with more freedom and ease of use than they ever thought possible. However, before we can recommend an oxygen concentrator to you, we need to learn a little bit about your condition, lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. Reach out to our respiratory specialists at 1-888-416-3855 or email us at info@lptmedical.com to get started.

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In this post, we’re going to be looking at the Oxlife Independence. This is a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator manufactured by the industry-leading experts over at O2 Concepts. If you recall from last month, we reviewed the Oxlife Freedom which is essentially the pulse dose version of the Oxlife Independence. They’re built on a similar architectural design, so you can expect the same power and reliability from the Independence. Just remember that it is a continuous flow device so it will be a little heavier and bulkier than its pulse dose counterpart.

If you want to see a full unboxing and review of the Oxlife Independence portable oxygen concentrator, watch the video above. If you’d like more detailed information on the unit, continue reading below.

Highest Oxygen Output in its Class

One of the concerns many oxygen patients have when they upgrade to an oxygen concentrator is whether or not they will be able to receive the oxygen they need to stay healthy. After all, everyone has different oxygen needs whether they’ve just been prescribed oxygen or they’ve been on oxygen for many years. As a result, this concern is well placed. Not all concentrators will work for every oxygen patient, so you should be careful before making any decisions.

With that being said, the Oxlife Independence is on par or better than other oxygen concentrators in its class when it comes to oxygen output. On its maximum setting, the Independence puts out 3.0 liters per minute (LPM) of oxygen. And it can go up to a maximum pulse dose setting of 6 which exceeds that of the leading portable oxygen concentrator on the market, the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. You can switch between pulse dose and continuous flow on demand, but it’s important to speak with your doctor first who can tell you which setting is best for you.

The great thing about having such a high oxygen output is that it affords more oxygen patients to experience the benefit of portable oxygen concentrators. Now, even patients with high oxygen demands are able to travel freely whether it’s by car, bus, or plane. You’ll also have the flexibility to adjust your oxygen flow up or down depending on what you’re doing. For example, if you’re sedentary, you may want to reduce your oxygen flow rate; whereas if you’re exercising, you may want to increase your oxygen flow rate.

Built for Ease of Use on the Go

Something that goes hand-in-hand with portability is ease of use. When you’re out of the house, whether you’re out for a walk or on a trip across the country, the last thing you want is to deal with is a complex or poorly designed electronic device. The experts at O2 Concepts recognized this need and as a result, they focused a lot of time and energy into making the Oxlife Independence simple and easy to use. 

The first thing that you’ll notice about the Oxlife Independence is that it has a sleek design. The all-black matte finish means that you won’t notice any scuff marks or fingerprints. However, despite this, you should still take care to clean it regularly to prevent it from collecting germs and bacteria. Be sure to follow the cleaning instructions listed in the user manual to prevent damage to the unit.

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There are many other quality-of-life design choices that were built into the Oxlife Independence. For example, batteries are replaced via the back of the unit rather than having an internal battery or a battery that’s inserted into the bottom of the unit. This makes it very easy to swap out battery packs on the move. Since it holds two batteries, you can even swap them out individually while the unit is still powered on meaning there is no downtime in your oxygen delivery. 

Just like the Oxlife Freedom, the interface on the Oxlife Independence is intuitive. There are only four buttons on the interface. One to turn the device on and off; one to switch between continuous and pulse flow; and two for adjusting the flow rate. That’s it! There’s no need to spend hours sifting through the user manual just to figure out what everything does. Most people will have no problem using their concentrator straight out of the box.

One of the First “Smart” Oxygen Concentrators

Chances are, you’ve probably heard the term “smart” technology before. This is a relatively new term but it refers to technology that helps us stay connected and is constantly learning and improving our experience. Smartphones, for example, don’t just make calls and send texts. They’re all-in-one tools that can help us improve every aspect of our lives whether it’s our fitness routine, diet, or enabling us to stay connected with people around the world.

The Oxlife Independence uses something called Dynamic Network Analysis (DNA) technology which we referenced in our post about the Oxlife Freedom. DNA is a type of “smart” technology that allows oxygen patients to stay connected with their healthcare providers. The benefit of this is that they will be able to ensure that you are complying with your oxygen treatment plan and they can help you troubleshoot any problems that you are having. In other words, it adds a whole new level of security to your medical oxygen delivery.

According to O2 Concepts, DNA links all Oxlife Independence devices to a secure proprietary network. Your oxygen provider can monitor your oxygen usage to ensure compliance with your prescription, monitor the state of your equipment, and schedule routine equipment maintenance to avoid costly repairs and equipment downtime. And the best part of all of this is that it is completely optional. You don’t need to feel like you’re being forced to use this added feature if you do not want or need it.

5-Year Product Warranty

Another major concern oxygen patients have when upgrading to an oxygen concentrator is that they will be less reliable than their oxygen tanks. While concentrators like the Oxlife Independence are built with complex electronic components, the important thing to remember is that your device is backed by a 5-year warranty. Most oxygen concentrators only come with a 3-year warranty, so this goes to show that O2 Concepts puts a lot of faith in their products and their ability to operate for many years without issue. What this means for you is that you can go about your day with peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, you will be covered.

Conclusion

O2 Concepts is a brand that’s been praised for the power and reliability of its oxygen concentrators and the Oxlife Independence is no exception. With up to 3.0 LPM of continuous flow oxygen and six different pulse dose settings to choose from, you’ll have plenty of flexibility to adjust your oxygen delivery depending on your level of activity. From top to bottom, the Independence was designed to be easy and comfortable to use while away from home so that you don’t have to constantly stop what you’re doing to consult the user manual.

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Since the Oxlife Independence doesn’t hold any compressed oxygen like a traditional oxygen tank or liquid oxygen tank, it’s approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for in-flight use. You’ll be able to take this concentrator on any commercial aircraft within the country. Just be sure to contact your airline well in advance to see what their restrictions are. Most airlines require you to carry at least 1 ½ times the duration of your flight in batteries to account for any delays.

We will gladly provide you with an Oxlife Independence if you have been prescribed oxygen by your doctor. However, we also want to make sure that it’s the right device for your medical needs and your lifestyle. Give our oxygen concentrator specialists a call and we’ll walk you through the whole process from choosing an oxygen device to presenting you with your buying options and even helping you to receive financial compensation through Medicare. You can reach out to us either by phone or email.

Oxlife Independence Specs