If you suffer from any number of respiratory ailments, you’re likely well aware of the important role oxygen therapy plays in your life. COPD patients, in particular, are able to significantly reduce chronic symptoms like breathlessness and chest pain by using supplemental oxygen on a daily basis. On the other hand, short-term oxygen therapy can assist patients in recovering more quickly after a hospital visit.

But if you’ve kept up with our blogs here at LPT Medical, you know that the way oxygen is administered is often just as important as using supplemental oxygen in the first place. Receiving too little oxygen might cause a flare-up in your symptoms, whereas receiving too much oxygen could lead to oxygen toxicity and other health complications.

One of the first things you should understand about oxygen administration is the difference between a pulse dose oxygen concentrator and a continuous flow oxygen concentrator. While each of these oxygen delivery methods is viable, they each have their pros and cons, and your oxygen therapy experience will vary greatly depending on which one you choose.

Ideally, this post will cover everything you need to know about pulse flow and continuous oxygen concentrators. However, if you still have questions, fill out the form to the right of the page and one of our respiratory specialists will reach out to you.

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What is a Continuous Flow Oxygen Concentrator?

As the name suggests, a continuous flow oxygen concentrator administers a constant flow of oxygen to the respiratory patient. A good analogy for continuous flow oxygen is a water fountain. When you use a water fountain, you don’t drink all of the water that is coming out of the spout. The water fountain puts out a consistent amount of water and the amount you drink is a product of the amount and the size of sips that you take. Similarly, with a continuous flow oxygen concentrator, the amount of oxygen that enters your lungs is a product of the amount and size of breaths that you take.

Another medical oxygen device that uses continuous flow oxygen administration are oxygen tanks. Since oxygen tanks used compressed oxygen they don’t need any electrical components to push oxygen out the nasal cannula. All they need is a nozzle that can regulate the amount of oxygen that is coming out of the tank. Liquid oxygen tanks use a similar principle, but instead of the oxygen being compressed inside the tank, it’s compressed as it exits the tank and turns to gas.

They Offer Great Versatility

Possibly the greatest thing about continuous flow oxygen concentrators is how versatile they are. Continuous flow units can be bought as either a portable or a stationary oxygen concentrator (home oxygen concentrator) so you’ll have options based on your wants and needs. Portable oxygen concentrators have batteries so you can use them wherever you want, however, stationary concentrators need to be plugged into a wall to operate.

Another great thing about continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators is that they typically offer a pulse flow setting as well. This can be confusing to many people because when they hear the term “continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator” they assume that it doesn’t offer a pulse flow setting. However, oxygen concentrators like the SeQual Eclipse 5, for example, offer continuous flow settings 0.5-3.0 LPM, but it also offers pulse flow settings 1 through 9. This is much more than what your average pulse flow oxygen concentrator will provide.

They’re CPAP Compatible

COPD commonly coexists with sleeping disorders like obstructive sleep apnea in what’s known as COPD-OSA overlap syndrome. This is partially due to the fact that OSA and COPD are both common conditions, but the higher likelihood of peripheral edema and increased BMI associated with chronic bronchitis also promotes OSA. As such, someone with COPD is more likely to experience sleep disorders.

When a patient with OSA sleeps, their airways collapse making it difficult to breathe properly. If this person also has COPD, they’ll be more likely to experience complications at night due to the restricted airflow. In these situations, it’s advised that the patient uses both a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine and an oxygen concentrator while sleeping. 

Continuous flow is the only type of oxygen administration that is compatible with CPAP and BiPAP machines. Some continuous flow oxygen concentrators can be attached directly to a CPAP machine, but others will require you to buy a “bleed-in adapter.” If you and your doctor determine that this is the best course of action for you, be sure to follow the directions closely in your oxygen concentrator user manual on how to set up and use the device correctly.

They’re FAA Approved

At this point in time, all continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for in-flight use. What this means is that if you ever need to fly across the country or even outside of the United States, you can do so with your portable oxygen concentrator at your side the whole time. While there are no restrictions on oxygen concentrators and flight attendants aren’t allowed to stop you from bringing one on board, you should make sure to contact the airline at least 48 hours ahead of your flight to let them know you’ll have a POC with you. Typically, they’ll ask that you have at least 1.5 times as much battery life as the duration of your trip and they may have an extra charge for a carry on item as well.  

They’re Heavy and Bulky

While continuous flow oxygen concentrators have plenty of benefits, we’d be remiss not to discuss the disadvantages as well. Possibly the biggest downside to these machines is that they’re bulky and heavy. Most continuous flow machines weigh between 10 and 20 pounds which tends to be too heavy for most people to sling over their shoulders. Instead, most patients find it more comfortable to use a wheeled cart which either comes with the concentrator or is sold separately.

One people dislike using continuous flow machines is that they’re more cumbersome and difficult to take out of the house. If you ever need to take public transportation, you may find yourself stressing out about your concentrator rather than focusing on what you’re doing. Taking a flight is especially difficult because there’s already limited foot space on a plane, but with a continuous flow POC, you’ll have even less.     

They Have Limited Battery Life

Battery life is one of the most important aspects of a portable oxygen concentrator because it determines how long you can be out of the house without having to find a place to recharge. Unfortunately, continuous flow machines don’t offer much in the way of battery life. The average machine will offer between 1 and 10 hours of freedom depending on the flow setting you use and the type of battery you are using.

While this may sound like a lot at first, once you actually get out of the house and start doing things, you’ll be surprised at how fast the time goes. You may find that it’s difficult to take long trips unless you bring extra battery packs. However, even if you do, you’ll have to stop frequently to replace the batteries. 

What is a Pulse Dose Oxygen Concentrator?

Pulse dose is the other major type of oxygen delivery along with continuous flow. Whereas continuous flow has been around throughout the whole existence of oxygen therapy, pulse dose is a fairly new technology. Rather than putting out a constant stream of oxygen, a pulse dose machine only puts out oxygen when the patient inhales. Essentially, they’re designed to detect a change of pressure in the user’s nasal cannula when they begin to inhale. It then administers a precisely timed oxygen bolus (dosage). 

Pulse dose regulators (oxygen regulators) can be attached to oxygen tanks and they perform the same function as a pulse dose oxygen concentrator would. Normally, oxygen tanks put out continuous flow oxygen, but the regulator will give you precise doses of oxygen that can help you ration the oxygen that’s left in the tank. Certain oxygen conservers can even be used with liquid oxygen tanks.

They’re More Technologically Advanced

One of the first things you’ll notice about pulse dose oxygen concentrators is that they’re significantly more complex than continuous flow oxygen concentrators; not in how difficult they are to use, but in the features that they offer. The Caire FreeStyle Comfort, for example, offers a built-in program called CAIREView. This program enables you to track important information about your oxygen usage including your time of use, oxygen flow setting, and more.

CAIREView is also equipped with something called “telehealth technology.” We talked about this extensively in a previous post, so feel free to check it out if you want to learn more. However, if you don’t want to get into the details, just know that it’s a technology that could be beneficial to a great number of people. Essentially, what it does is send information via a secure network to both the oxygen manufacturer and your doctor allowing them to see up-to-date information about your oxygen usage and the integrity of your portable oxygen concentrator.

While this is one of the first examples of the use of telehealth technology in oxygen concentrators, it’s a good sign for anyone who’s interested in achieving more freedom and independence from their portable oxygen device. With CAIREVIew, you’ll be able to leave your home knowing that you’re always being monitored by a medical professional. If something were to go wrong with your device, the oxygen manufacturer may be able to troubleshoot and fix it without you ever having to ship the device in and wait weeks or months to get it back. It could also save you a significant amount of time and money.  

They’re Small and Lightweight

Possibly the greatest benefit to using a pulse dose concentrator over a continuous flow concentrator is how small and lightweight they are. COPD has long been considered a debilitating disease because it’s characterized by chronic lung inflammation, breathlessness, and chest pain. What’s more, in the past, COPD patients had to carry around heavy oxygen tanks which set them back even more.

Pulse flow oxygen concentrators, fortunately, are the lightest oxygen therapy devices ever produced. Due to the way that pulse dose technology works, these concentrators are able to administer oxygen much more efficiently. Unlike continuous flow concentrators, there is no “wasted” oxygen with these units. All oxygen that is put out of the device will be inspired by the oxygen patient. As a result, oxygen manufacturers are able to make them much smaller and lighter to carry.

Another reason pulse dose oxygen concentrators are so efficient is that they have the best batteries offered on the market. These concentrators use lithium-ion batteries which are the same ones that are used in common electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops. In the future, you can expect this technology to advance even more quickly due to the high demand for light and efficient portable electronic devices.

They Offer Greater Freedom

Freedom is one of the most fundamental human rights. Without freedom, we would not be able to pursue our dreams, go where we want, and do as we please. Unfortunately, chronic respiratory conditions like COPD and cystic fibrosis can restrict your freedom significantly. Many people with COPD spend their life letting their disease control and define them rather than taking control of their symptoms and taking their life back.

Instead of forcing you to depend on friends and loved ones like oxygen tanks do, pulse dose oxygen concentrators allow you to experience full freedom and independence. You’ll never have to go out of your way to refill your oxygen tank or rely on other people to help you transport your oxygen therapy machine. Since they’re so simple to use, there are no complicated functions that you’ll need to learn about to get started. Simply turn the power on, adjust your flow setting, and experience full freedom.

They’re FAA Approved

Just like continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators, pulse dose machines are approved by the FAA for in-flight use. In fact, pulse dose machines are favored by most airlines because they offer greater battery life and they take up much less space on the plane. They’re so small that you won’t even need to set them on the floor during take-off and landing, you can simply rest it under your arm where it will be secure.  

Another reason pulse flow concentrators are great for flights is because of their long battery life. A typical flight within the country will take around 2 to 5 hours, so having a concentrator like the Inogen One G5 which offers up to 13 hours of battery life on one charge will make this a breeze. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for continuous flow units. Since the batteries only last a couple of hours, you’re likely going to need to carry one or two extra batteries at the very least. This also means you’ll be spending more time swapping out batteries instead of enjoying your flight.

Conclusion

Currently, both continuous flow concentrators and pulse dose concentrators are viable for long-term oxygen therapy. Both types of oxygen administration afford you the freedom you need to go about your daily life without concern that your oxygen needs are met. However, if you want to get the oxygen machine that’s best for you, you should take some time to consider each option.

Continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators are very versatile. If you suffer from COPD-OSA overlap syndrome, your doctor may advise that you use both a CPAP machine and an oxygen therapy device at night. Continuous flow machines can easily be attached to CPAP and BiPAP machines at night, allowing you to sleep restfully without disruption. Many modern continuous flow concentrators also offer a pulse flow option which will afford you more options.

Pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators are best for people who want the lightest and most efficient machine on the market. The Inogen One G5, for example, weighs only 4.7 pounds which is less than half the weight of the lightest continuous flow units. They’re also significantly smaller meaning you’ll be able to carry them under your arm without bumping into anything or anyone around you. In general, pulse dose machines are the best option for the greatest number of people, but it’s important to speak with your pulmonologist as well as our respiratory specialists before making a decision.

Fill out the form at the side of the page and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your portable oxygen concentrator options. 

If you’ve ever been tasked with finding an electronic device like a cell phone, TV, or washing machine, you’re probably aware of just how difficult it can be. In the digital age, devices are being produced faster than ever before, and most people simply don’t have the time or the bandwidth to keep up with everything that’s going on. This is no different when it comes to choosing an oxygen concentrator. There are literally hundreds of different oxygen machines out there, so how are you going to figure out which one is right for you?

Unfortunately, there is no guide out there that compares every single oxygen concentrator on the market. There are just too many machines and too much variety among them to compare all of them at once. This is why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to compare some of the most popular oxygen devices one at a time. Here are a couple of topics we’ve covered so far:

The Inogen One G5 vs. The Inogen One G3

The Inogen One G5 vs. The Inogen One G4

The Inogen One G5 vs. The Respironics SimplyGo Mini

The Inogen One G5 vs. ResMed Mobi

The Inogen One G5 vs. The Oxlife Freedom

The Inogen One G5 vs. The CAIRE Freestyle Comfort

The Inogen One G5 vs. The AirSep Focus

The Inogen One G5 vs. The AirSep FreeStyle 5

The Inogen One G5 vs. The GCE Zen-O Lite

We’ve only just scratched the surface when it comes to portable oxygen concentrator comparisons. Over the decades, we’ve seen many great oxygen machines released by companies like AirSep, Respironics, Inogen, all of which deserve their time in the limelight due to their high-quality design and long-lasting appeal. So far, we’ve primarily been comparing each portable oxygen concentrator to the Inogen One G5. This is because the G5 is the most popular mobile oxygen concentrator currently on the market and, in many ways, it’s leaps and bounds ahead of its competition. 

In this post, we’re going to be taking a look at the Inogen One G5 and the Invacare Platinum Mobile. If this article doesn’t answer your question or you want to learn how to get started purchasing an oxygen concentrator, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by filling out the contact form at the side of the page. One of our oxygen specialists will reach out to you and answer your questions about oxygen prescription require as well as any questions you have about the concentrators themselves.

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About Invacare Oxygen Products 

Invacare is no stranger to the healthcare industry. Since its inception in 1885, they’ve worked to ensure the freedom and mobility of people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. While they got their start manufacturing wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and walkers, they’ve since branched out to provide respiratory products and personal care products as well. 

Homefill oxygen systems or homefill oxygen concentrators are what Invacare is primarily known for. These operate using the same principles as regular oxygen concentrators but they’re intended for people who use oxygen tanks or portable oxygen cylinders. Instead of having to go to an oxygen company each time they want to refill their tank, the homefill oxygen system allows them to do refill their oxygen in the comfort of their own home.

Invacare is also known for stationary oxygen concentrators and transportable oxygen concentrators. Unlike the homefill stations, these oxygen concentrators attach directly to the oxygen patient’s nasal cannula and distribute oxygen. Stationary oxygen concentrators need to be plugged into the wall, but transportable concentrators like the Invacare Platinum Mobile run on batteries.

About Inogen Portable Oxygen 

Inogen is one of the most popular and recognizable brands in the way of oxygen therapy and respiratory care. Inogen has only been around since 2001, so its popularity has grown a staggering amount in a very short period of time. The main reason for this is that they’re hyper-focused on what they’re trying to accomplish: providing oxygen patients with more freedom and independence in their daily life.

Because Inogen believes that oxygen patients deserve the same freedom as everyone else, they’ve focused primarily on pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators. These concentrators are light, provide outstanding battery life, and they’re easy to use whether you’re at home or on the go. So far, Inogen has five generations of pulse flow POCs with the Inogen One G5 being the latest. They’ve also manufactured one home oxygen concentrator: the Inogen at Home Concentrator.

Maximum Oxygen Output

No matter what type of oxygen device you use — oxygen tanks, oxygen cylinders, liquid oxygen, home oxygen, or portable oxygen concentrators — ensuring that your machine meets your oxygen demands should always be your first step. For the most part, choosing an oxygen tank is easy because they all have the same oxygen output. However, it’s a little more complicated when you get into home and portable pulse flow oxygen concentrators.

A pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator works differently from oxygen tanks in that the oxygen is only delivered when you inhale. Since these devices are so efficient, it enables oxygen companies to make them much smaller and lighter than other oxygen devices like oxygen tanks and continuous flow oxygen concentrators. It’s important to remember, however, that the way their oxygen output is measured is also different. Oxygen tanks and continuous flow units are measured in liters per minute (LPM) and pulse dose oxygen concentrators are measured in milliliters per minute (ml/min). A flow rate of 1 LPM is not equivalent to a pulse dose flow rate of 1,000 ml/min because there is no wasted oxygen with a pulse flow unit.

With that being said, both the Inogen One G5 and Invacare Platinum mobile provide over 500 milliliters of oxygen per minute of oxygen. The Inogen One G5 takes the cake in this category with a maximum oxygen output of 1,260 ml/min on a setting of 6 while the Invacare Platinum has a maximum oxygen output of 880 ml/min on a setting of 4. Either way, both concentrators are enough for the vast majority of oxygen patients. However, if you have late-stage COPD and require high oxygen flow, the Inogen One G5 will likely be the best way to go since it has the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow concentrator on the market.

Before you decide on a concentrator, it’s important to speak with your pulmonologist first. While most COPD patients should be fine using a pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator, your doctor may have a reason for keeping you on continuous flow. He/she might not be aware or completely informed about what oxygen concentrators are available so be sure to know the flow rate and maximum oxygen output of your preferred oxygen concentrator before meeting with your doctor.

Battery Life

Once you ensure your oxygen needs are accounted for, you should take a look at battery life. Ultimately, battery life is what will determine how long you’ll be able to stay out of the house without having to run to an outlet to charge your device. In our last post, we took a look at four of the portable oxygen concentrators with the longest battery life in 2020. The Inogen One G5 made one of the top spots on this list offering 13 hours of battery life while using the 16-cell battery. Unfortunately, the Invacare Platinum Mobile didn’t make this list because it only offers up to 8 hours of battery life.

While 8 hours may sound like a long battery life, it’s important to take into consideration the actual flow setting that you will be using. For example, if you need to run the Invacare Platinum on its maximum flow setting of 4, you’ll only have a couple of hours of freedom before you need to come home and recharge. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re someone who wants to be able to stay out of the house longer and do more. On the other hand, you’ll still get 3 hours of battery life on the highest flow setting of 6 with the Inogen One G5. 

At the end of the day, you can simply carry more batteries if you feel like you don’t have enough time. The batteries for both the Inogen G5 and the Invacare Platinum are very light, so you should be able to carry several of them without feeling like you’re carrying too much weight. However, if you want to limit weight as much as possible, the Inogen One G5 will be the way to go because it’s one of the most efficient portable oxygen concentrators on the market in 2020.

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Weight

Behind battery life, weight tends to be one of the most important things for oxygen patients to consider. If you’re someone who’s traveling across the country or out of the country, you likely want to carry a lot of personal belongings with you such as your car keys, wallet, passport, a camera, cellphone, or any number of other things. As such, you’re going to want to limit the weight you’re carrying as much as possible. Another thing that affects weight is the accessories that are offered. If you have an effective way of carrying your oxygen concentrator, you may find it easier to bring extra personal belongings.

With the single battery (the battery that comes with the device), the Inogen One G5 weighs in at just 4.7 pounds. The Invacare Platinum Mobile weighs slightly more at 4.8 pounds with the battery that comes with the device. If you compared the two side-by-side, you likely wouldn’t notice any difference, but it is important to note that the Invacare Platinum batteries aren’t as powerful, so you’ll be adding extra weight if you need to carry more batteries. The double battery (16-cell) doubles the battery life of the G5 and it only weighs a pound more than the single battery (8-cell).

Another great benefit to the Inogen One G5 is that it has a slew of amazing accessories to help you carry your device more easily. The G5 Custom Carrying case is the most minimalist offered for the G5. This accessory fits snugly over your device and has an adjustable shoulder strap so you can carry it over either shoulder. It also has a mesh-like material on either side to prevent your oxygen machine from overheating. If you’re more of a traveler, you may opt for the Inogen G5 Backpack. This will enable you to carry your G5 on your back rather than at your side and it has plenty of room to carry extra personal belongings such as your car keys, wallet, passport, cellphone, or camera.

Ease-of-Use

There’s nothing worse than having a portable oxygen concentrator that’s difficult to operate. For most oxygen patients, just having to be hooked up to oxygen 24/7 is enough of a chore, so if their POC has tons of buttons or complicated functions, it may not be worth going out of the house at all. Fortunately, both the Invacare Platinum Mobile and the Inogen One G5 are very easy to use and even troubleshoot on-the-go.

One of the first things you’ll notice about these two oxygen concentrators is their clean and simple user interface. All the buttons and the screen are located on the top of the unit so that you can make adjustments to your oxygen usage on the fly or check your battery life. The batteries are located on the bottom of the unit out of the way. To get them off, simply pull the tab on the side and you can pop another one on. On the Invacare Platinum, however, the batteries are located under the interface. You simply need to lift it up and you can pull each one out to have it replaced. What this means is that you’ll never have to flip the device on its side or risk dropping the battery. The Invacare Platinum also holds two smaller batteries which are lighter and easier to handle than the G5 batteries.

Who’s the Ideal Candidate for the Invacare Platinum Mobile?

Invacare is a company that’s been around for quite some time. Through most of their existence, they’ve provided chronically ill patients with mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters. However, they’ve also served many oxygen patients across the globe by manufacturing homefill oxygen systems, stationary oxygen concentrators, portable oxygen concentrators and aerosol devices like nebulizers.

The Invacare Platinum Mobile is one of the latest and most advanced respiratory products they’ve ever produced. It uses pulse dose technology which is the most efficient oxygen delivery method ever produced. As an oxygen patient, this means you’ll have more freedom than ever before, allowing you to go where you like, whenever you please. While the Invacare Platinum is a great choice for many oxygen patients, it lags behind the Inogen One G5 in terms of total oxygen output, battery life, and weight. 

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Who’s the Ideal Candidate for the Inogen One G5?

Unlike most oxygen companies that got their start manufacturing other types of medical equipment, Inogen got their start producing oxygen concentrators. Inogen was founded in 2001 and shortly after, they put out their first home oxygen concentrator the Inogen at Home oxygen concentrator. After this release, they primarily focused on pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators, and at this point in time, they currently have five generations of concentrators.

The Inogen One G5 released in the summer of 2019 and is considered to be the best oxygen concentrator on the market. The G5 has the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow unit with 1260 ml/min of 90% (+6%/-3%) oxygen and 6 pulse flow settings. The only concentrator that can compete with it is the new CAIRE FreeStyle Comfort which also released this past year. The G5 also has one of the longest battery lives of any POC, offering up to 13 hours of freedom on one charge! All of these features make the G5 the perfect oxygen concentrator for anyone with high oxygen demands or someone who wants a great all-around oxygen concentrator that will last them for years to come.

Conclusion

Choosing the right mobile oxygen concentrator is not always easy. There are hundreds of them on the market and not enough resources to make a decision quickly. Luckily, we’ve taken the time to compare each concentrator side-by-side so you simply need to find the one you’re interested in and read about it. The Invacare Platinum Mobile and Inogen One G5 are both great oxygen concentrators, but the G5 gets our top pick simply because it excels in nearly every aspect.

If you have any questions that weren’t answered here or you’re ready to get started purchasing a portable oxygen concentrator, start by filling out the contact form at the side of the page. One of our respiratory specialists will get back to you answering any questions that you have. Be sure to keep in touch with your doctor or pulmonologist as well so that you know exactly what your oxygen needs are.

If you’ve spent some time perusing the internet for oxygen supplies, oxygen concentrators, or oxygen companies, you’re probably well aware of how difficult it can be to find exactly what you’re looking for. While you want simple and straightforward solutions to your oxygen needs, you’re instead met with scams, misleading advertising, and pages and pages of statistics; most of which is useless information. As a result, many people end up with oxygen supplies that don’t suit their wants and needs.

Here at LPT Medical, we take pride in simplifying the oxygen industry for you. Rather than spewing out a bunch of statistics and letting you sift through them to find what’s important, we break apart the information you want to know into bite-size pieces. One of the ways we like to do this is by comparing some of the most popular portable oxygen concentrators side-by-side, looking at the most important details like weight, battery life, oxygen output, and ease-of-use. Here are the units we’ve compared so far:

The Inogen One G5 vs. The Inogen One G3

The Inogen One G5 vs. The Inogen One G4

The Inogen One G5 vs. The Respironics SimplyGo Mini

The Inogen One G5 vs. ResMed Mobi

The Inogen One G5 vs. The Oxlife Freedom

The Inogen One G5 vs. The CAIRE Freestyle Comfort

The Inogen One G5 vs. The AirSep Focus

The Inogen One G5 vs. The AirSep FreeStyle 5

To continue this trend, we’re going to take a look at the Inogen One G5 and the GCE Zen-O Lite in this post. As always, if you need clarification on anything that you read in this post or you’re ready to get started purchasing your portable oxygen concentrator, fill out the form at the side of the page and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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About the GCE Group

GCE Group (Gas Control Equipment Group) is an industrial and medical oxygen company based out of Malmö, Sweden. Founded in 1987, they’ve put out a number of notable oxygen concentrators including the Zen-O and the Zen-O Lite portable oxygen concentrators, the Nuvo 8 oxygen concentrator, and the Nuvo Lite Mark 5 oxygen concentrator. The newest of which, the GCE Zen-O Lite is one of the most advanced, reliable, and efficient machines they have to offer.

GCE doesn’t just specialize in oxygen concentrator technology, though. They also offer gas supply systems for the analytical and electronic industries along with cutting and welding components like regulators and blowpipes. In 2018, GCE announced a rebranding project where they divided into three separate brands: GCE, GCE Druva, and GCE Healthcare. According to the Executive Vice President, this is a necessary step in their continued evolution and that their company is still committed to safety, innovation, and integrity in everything they do. 

About Inogen

Inogen is possibly the most well-established and respected brand in medical oxygen. While they haven’t been around quite as long as companies like GCE, AirSep, or Respironics, they’ve more than demonstrated their worth by producing industry-leading portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G3, Inogen One G4, and Inogen One G5, all of which are still used by thousands of oxygen patients all over the world. Unlike many other oxygen companies out there, Inogen is solely focused on portable oxygen concentrators. While they did manufacture the Inogen at Home oxygen concentrator in the early 2000s, they decided to focus their efforts on portability and mobility.  

The Inogen One G5 currently holds the record for the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator. It also has some of the longest battery life offered by a pulse flow unit. The last generation of oxygen concentrator, the Inogen One G4, is also one of the lightest portable oxygen concentrators ever produced, surpassed only by the AirSep Focus which weighs in at just 1.75 pounds. In general, Inogen continues to move the industry forward, offering patients more reliable and technologically advanced portable oxygen concentrators than ever before.

Maximum Oxygen Output

One of the first issues oxygen patients encounter when choosing an oxygen device is understanding oxygen output. You need an oxygen machine that will meet your needs but you don’t want to have to deal with a heavy and bulky continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator which will severely restrict your freedom and independence. The good news is that pulse flow technology is advancing very rapidly meaning that high-flow oxygen patients no longer have the need to use continuous flow units.

The Inogen One G5 and the GCE Zen-O Lite are both pulse flow concentrators. What this means is that, instead of outputting a continuous stream of oxygen, they put out “boluses” or “doses” of oxygen whenever the patient inhales. The benefit of this is that the concentrator is not wasting resources by producing oxygen that is never inspired by the patient. The Intelligent Delivery System built into these devices ensures that oxygen is delivered at the optimal moment during the patient’s breath. 

The mistake many people make when comparing continuous flow units versus pulse flow ones is that they assume a 1,000 ml/min output on a pulse flow device is the equivalent of 1 LPM on a continuous flow unit. This is not the case, because pulse flow machines don’t have the wasted oxygen that their continuous flow counterparts do. In turn, the 1,260 ml/min offered by the Inogen One G5 and the 1,050 ml/min offered by the GCE Zen-O Lite should be more than enough to suit the vast majority of oxygen patients. However, it’s best to speak with your pulmonologist before switching over to pulse flow.

Weight

Weight has always been a serious issue with medical oxygen devices. Home oxygen concentrators that have been in use since the 1970s can weigh upwards of 30 pounds while portable continuous flow units can weigh 20 pounds or more. However, with the advent of portable pulse flow oxygen concentrators, medical oxygen has become much more lightweight and easy to carry by the average oxygen patient.

The Inogen One G5 weighs in at just 4.7 pounds with the 8-cell battery and the GCE Zen-O Lite weighs slightly more at 5.5 pounds. This is around 10 to 15 pounds lighter than your average continuous flow concentrator and 20 to 25 pounds lighter than your average home oxygen concentrator! What’s more, the Inogen One G5 and GCE Zen-O Lite are much more efficient than other pulse flow concentrators with a higher oxygen output per pound.

There’s no understating the importance of having a lightweight portable oxygen concentrator. Oxygen patients tend to get exhausted rather quickly and carrying a heavy oxygen machine can exacerbate symptoms such as chest pain, coughing, and lightheadedness. Additionally, it’s not uncommon for people to suffer from overlapping conditions like back pain or shoulder pain. So, having an oxygen concentrator that’s over 6 pounds is simply not feasible for these people. If you invest in a light and powerful portable oxygen concentrator, you’ll be prepared if your symptoms ever worsen.

Battery Life

Battery life is another important facet of portable oxygen concentrators. While having a lightweight portable oxygen concentrator will ensure you’re able to lift your device without overexerting yourself, it’s the battery life that will enable you to stay out of the house for as long as possible. The Inogen One G5 has an impressive battery life offering up to 13 hours on one charge while using the 16-cell battery. The GCE Zen-O Lite will offer around 8 hours on one charge with the 12-cell battery.

In the grand scheme of things, both of these portable oxygen concentrators will provide you with ample battery life to get out and enjoy full freedom and independence. Whether you simply want to get out and go to the store or visit friends and family, either of these oxygen concentrators will do. However, if you want to do a lot of traveling, either within the country or outside of the country, the Inogen One G5 will likely be a better option for you.

Another great thing about the impeccable batteries on these two units is that you can significantly extend your runtime by carrying an extra battery or two. By carrying two 16-cell batteries with your Inogen One G5, that will offer you up to 26 hours of battery life and you’ll still be holding under 10 pounds of weight in total. That’s lighter than all continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market! You can even purchase accessories like the Inogen One G5 backpack which will allow you to carry your G5 with ease. It also has plenty of additional space to store extra batteries, your AC and DC power supplies, and other personal belongings.

Sound Level

If you currently use an oxygen tank or portable oxygen cylinder as your primary means of oxygen delivery, you’re likely used to having a quiet device. Since there are no electronic components or moving parts in your oxygen tank, they tend to be very quiet, even when the flow setting has been increased. Fortunately, if you decide to pick up a portable oxygen concentrator like the Inogen One G5 or GCE Zen-O Lite you can expect to be pretty quiet as well.

On average, oxygen concentrators emit about 45 decibels (dBA), however, both the G5 and Zen-O are below this at 37 dBA. To put this into perspective, that’s about the sound of a quiet conversation or whisper, even. So, although pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators tend to be louder than oxygen tanks and oxygen cylinders, they’re not loud enough to bother you or people around you. 

While you’re wearing and using your Inogen One G5 or GCE Zen-O Lite, you’ll feel comfortable going in public places such as a church, library, or restaurant. Although both devices do have audible alarms, they can be turned off by following the directions in your device’s respective user manual. Note, however, that as you turn the POC up to higher flow settings, the sound level will increase as well.

Size

With portable oxygen concentrators becoming lighter and easier to use, we’ve also had the pleasure of seeing them get much smaller. The benefit of having a small portable oxygen concentrator is that it will be easier to carry under your arm or store in tight places. It also makes it easier to carry on public transportation like on a crowded bus or on an airplane. When it’s time for takeoff or landing, you can easily put it under the seat or hold it under your arm.

The dimensions of the G5 are 8.15" H x 7.19" L x 3.26" W and the dimensions of the GCE Zen-O Lite are 9.25” H x 9.8” L x 3.8” W. So, they’re fairly comparable in terms of their size, but the Inogen One G5 is a couple of inches smaller all around. This can make a big difference when it comes to taking your portable oxygen concentrator more places and with less hassle. You might also be able to carry several additional accessories that you couldn’t with the Zen-O Lite. 

Additional Features

Nowadays, most people expect their electronic devices to come with a lot of features. For example, you’re unlikely to find any phone on the market that can just text and make phone calls. Most modern phones have a wide array of features including the ability to send emails, browse the internet, download apps, and much more. In a way, portable oxygen concentrators are similar. Rather than putting out concentrators that simply do their job, oxygen manufacturers are working to add additional features to their devices which improve ease-of-use, interconnectivity, and freedom.

The most notable feature of the Inogen One G5 is the Inogen Connect app. This software was first implemented into the Inogen One G4 back in 2015 and was added to the G5 due to popular demand. The Inogen Connect can be downloaded on any tablet or smartphone device, it can then be connected to your G5 through Bluetooth. When you open the app, it will display important information about your oxygen machine such as battery life, column status, and system integrity. You’ll even have full access to your G5’s user manual so you won’t have to worry about keeping track of the hard copy that came with your device. Although the Inogen Connect is very easy to use and set up, it is by no means mandatory. Your oxygen concentrator will run perfectly fine without it.

Unfortunately, the GCE Zen-O Lite doesn’t come with any features that compare to the Inogen Connect. GCE instead opted to focus on the fundamental aspects of their oxygen machine and avoid any cross-functionality with smartphones and other electronic devices. Whether you see this as a positive or a negative, it may be something to consider when choosing your next portable oxygen concentrator.  

Who’s the Ideal Candidate for the GCE Zen-O Lite?

The GCE Zen-O Lite is an all-around great oxygen concentrator. Manufactured by a company that specializes in both industrial and medical oxygen supplies, along with a host of other things, you know that GCE will always offer a reliable and durable product. The Zen-O Lite is their latest portable oxygen concentrator and it’s also one of the most advanced they’ve ever produced.

The Zen-O Lite has a great oxygen output offering over 1,000 ml/min meaning it will work for the large majority of oxygen patients. While it’s not the lightest portable oxygen concentrator, it’s still under 6 pounds so you can easily take it anywhere you go without experiencing back pain or becoming out of breath. It offers enough battery life for you to be able to stay out and about throughout the day without worrying about having the oxygen you need.

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Who’s the Ideal Candidate for the Inogen One G5?

Inogen is an oxygen company that tends to never disappoint with their products. In fact, many people eagerly await the release of new Inogen portable oxygen concentrators because they know they will offer groundbreaking new technologies that enable oxygen patients to live a more active and independent lifestyle. The Inogen One G5 is just the latest example of what Inogen is capable of.

Weighing in at only 4.7 pounds, the Inogen One G5 is one of the lightest on the market. In terms of battery life, the G5 is surpassed only by the CAIRE Freestyle Comfort which provides 16 hours of battery life. The G5 also has the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator ever produced with 1,260 ml/min of 90% oxygen and 6 flow settings to choose from.

Conclusion

Finding the right portable oxygen concentrator takes time and patience. To start, ensure that the device meets your oxygen needs. If you’re thinking of buying a pulse flow oxygen machine like the Inogen One G5 or GCE Zen-O Lite, you should first speak to your pulmonologist to make sure this oxygen delivery method will work for you. Once you know how much oxygen you need, you can start looking into other aspects of the device such as weight, size, battery life, and ease-of-use.

If you need help choosing the right POC, don’t hesitate to reach out to our oxygen specialists here at LPT Medical. You can reach us by filling out the contact form at the side of the page and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, keep reading our blog posts to learn more about the best portable oxygen concentrators on the market. 

Inogen is an oxygen concentrator company that never slacks when it comes to quality. Since their inception in the early 2000s, they’ve delivered reliable, state-of-the-art portable oxygen concentrators that maximize the freedom and independence of each oxygen patient who uses them. Inogen works hard to ensure that, with the release of each new portable oxygen concentrator, they’re on the cutting edge in terms of battery life, ease-of-use, and maximum oxygen output.

Their latest portable oxygen concentrator, the Inogen One G5 is just one more example of why Inogen continues to be such a successful oxygen equipment manufacturer. Potentially its most notable accomplishment is its high oxygen output. This enables more people than ever before to experience the freedom that comes with having a pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator. And since it’s so far ahead of its competition, G5 owners can rest easy knowing that their unit won’t be made obsolete in the months or years to come.

In the past, we’ve talked about a lot of the considerable freedoms you’ll regain while using your Inogen One G5. For example, we’ve talked about how the G5 is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) meaning you’ll be able to fly wherever you want in the world while still receiving the oxygen you need. We also talked about how easy it is to take a road trip with the G5. By using the G5 DC power cable, you can charge your oxygen machine wherever you go, allowing you to sightsee at your own leisure.

All of these things are great and prove that the G5 really is the most advanced portable oxygen concentrator ever created. But the truth is, many people don’t enjoy long flights or road trips across the country. For many people, it’s the little things that count like being able to see their family more often or cook a meal without the help of a caretaker. If you’re someone who enjoys the little things in life, read on, because we’re going to take a look at 8 day-to-day activities you’ll be able to enjoy with the Inogen One G5.

Going to the Grocery Store

In the 21st century, people have thought of solutions to just about any problem you can think of. All it takes is a quick Google search to find that many grocery stores have a delivery service. For just a small fee, you can have someone gather all the produce you need and have it delivered to your home all within the same day. Grocery delivery is unbelievably convenient for people who are bound to their bed with a debilitating illness, however, if you have mild to moderate COPD, you may feel bad about relying on grocery delivery when you could go out and do it yourself.

Before you had COPD, you may have thought of grocery shopping as a chore. Grocery stores are often crowded and chaotic environments which can be stressful to deal with after a long day at work. But if you’ve been bound to your oxygen tank or home oxygen concentrator for years, chances are, you’ve come to miss the freedom of getting out and doing your own shopping. Fortunately, the Inogen One G5 will make grocery shopping a breeze. With up to 13 hours of battery life on one charge, you’ll never feel like you’re pressed on time while shopping.

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Taking a Walk in the Park

The United States is currently enduring a mental health crisis. Despite the majority of individuals being wealthier than previous generations, many people report feeling unhappy, alone, and depressed. For younger generations, this might simply be a matter of setting aside the phones or tablets and connecting more with friends and family, however, for older generations, it’s a little more complicated.

Many older Americans are afflicted with conditions like COPD that prevent them from getting out of the house. This could be taking a huge toll on peoples’ mental health, a subject that’s often ignored when it comes to older adults and seniors. What’s more, studies have shown that people who get outside each day are less likely to experience common health complications like cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and more.

Getting out of the house and taking a walk in the park is incredibly easy with the Inogen One G5 and it could go a long way in improving your happiness. Unlike continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators, the G5 is light enough to carry on your shoulders. What this means is that you’ll never have to worry about lifting it over curbs, or wheeling it through a puddle of water or mud. Weighing in at just 4.7 pounds, you’ll be able to stay out all day without feeling out of breath.

Visiting Friends and Family

In the grand scheme of things, there really isn’t anything more important than the time you spend with your friends and family. While your career, hobbies, and interests are all important, ultimately, your family is what will make you feel whole. 

Unfortunately, COPD and other chronic illnesses tend to put a strain on many relationships. If one of your family members is acting as a caretaker to you, they may feel stressed by the added work. And from your perspective, it may be frustrating feeling like you’re a burden on your loved one. While this is a completely natural and common reaction to a situation like this, it’s not something you have to simply “cope with.”

While COPD is a debilitating disease, its symptoms can be significantly reduced by following the treatment plan set forth by your pulmonologist. This will likely include a strict diet, some form of exercise like pulmonary rehabilitation, and most importantly, oxygen therapy. When you follow all of these things to a tee, you’ll be able to spend more quality time with your friends and family.

One great thing about owning a pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator like the Inogen One G5 is that they’re remarkably easy to operate. All you need to know how to do is turn the device on, adjust the flow settings, and replace the batteries on the bottom of the unit. This is in stark contrast to something like an oxygen tank that requires you to purchase and know how to use a separate concentrator device to refill the tanks. If not, you’ll have to drive to an oxygen company that’s able to refill them. This is why many oxygen patients need a caretaker — it’s a lot of work!

Cooking a Healthy Meal

One activity many COPD patients miss is cooking. If you’re using a home or portable oxygen tank, it’s very dangerous to work in a hot environment or around an open flame. So, cooking is strictly off-limits for many oxygen patients. 

Another problem with not cooking your own meals is that you have less control over what you eat. You may spend more money eating out or you may opt for unhealthy fast food. These foods are often high in salt which will cause you to retain water, making breathing more difficult. Acidic foods like soda or sugary sweets can also cause complications by increasing inflammation in the body, leading to chest pain.

Alternatively, when you cook your own meals, you know exactly what’s going in it; you’ll be able to target specific nutrients that your doctor recommends for treating COPD symptoms. The Inogen One G5 will give you the mobility you need to navigate the kitchen with ease and most importantly, it doesn’t have the same safety risks associated with oxygen tanks. Since portable oxygen concentrators contain no compressed oxygen, there’s no risk of them exploding or becoming damaged if they’re around a flame.

With that being said, it’s still important to be cautious while cooking and using an oxygen concentrator. As a COPD patient, you’re extremely sensitive to airborne particles like smoke, so ideally you’ll want to cook in the oven and avoid overcooking anything. You might also want to open a window or turn on a fan to prevent airborne irritants from settling in one room. If all else fails, don’t be afraid to recruit chef Mike! (microwave).

Doing Chores Around the House

Like cooking, the Inogen One G5 will also give you the freedom to do daily chores without help from a caregiver. While most people aren’t ecstatic about doing chores, they do have several proven therapeutic benefits. Many psychologists would suggest that having a clean and organized home and workspace is a great way to boost your mood and self-worth. What’s more, you’ll see more benefits is you’re the one doing the cleaning rather than a maid or your caretaker.

Another reason to clean up around the house is for your safety. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be even more polluted than outdoor areas even in industrialized cities. One of the main reasons this is the case is because the air is concentrated. If your home has poor circulation, airborne irritants and contaminants will stay in one area and you’re likely to inhale them at some point during the day. For someone with COPD, this can increase the risk of experiencing a COPD exacerbation.

Using the Inogen One G5, you’ll have a much easier time completing chores around the house like vacuuming, dusting, laundry, and dishwashing. The best part of all? You’ll be able to carry your portable oxygen concentrator with you the whole time. Unlike with oxygen tanks, you won’t have to constantly stop what you’re doing and walk over to your oxygen device if you’re feeling out of breath. Accessories like the Inogen One G5 Custom Carrying Case will keep your device light and allow you to carry it securely wherever you go. If you don’t want to carry it on your shoulder, you can also buy some longer oxygen tubing and walk around with your concentrator on the floor. If you use this method, be sure not to trip over the tubing or step on it as you could trip or damage your POC. 

Going to Church

One of the biggest concerns oxygen patients have before purchasing a pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator is how loud they are. Oxygen tanks make very little sound, so they don’t want to give them up if it means using a noisy, obnoxious device. Fortunately, this is not the case. Oxygen concentrators are very quiet, and the Inogen One G5 is one of the quietest currently on the market!

On a flow setting of 2, the Inogen One G5 only puts out 37 decibels (dBA). This is comparable to a quiet conversation or whispers even. What’s more, it’s not an annoying noise like you might expect. It just gives off a slight buzzing noise. Many people compare it to the sound of a refrigerator because you’ll notice it at first, but after a while, you won’t even notice it’s there. If going to a church service each Sunday is your goal, you’ll be happy to know that it won’t be disruptive to other people. However, if it causes any concern you can move to the back of the congregation.

Going to the Library

Another activity you’ll feel comfortable doing with this quiet portable oxygen concentrator is to go to the library. For many people, going to the library is a great way to escape from the hectic nature of day-to-day life and read a good book or two. However, if you’re left to deal with a loud continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator, you’re likely going to have to move away from other people. While the sound of the Inogen One G5 shouldn’t be a problem, if you’re concerned about disturbing others, try setting it under a table while you’re using it.    

Taking Up a Hobby

Last but certainly not least, you should think of taking up a new hobby once you have your Inogen One G5. Hobbies are not only great for passing the time and occupying our minds, but they’re part of what defines people and their purpose. Unfortunately, when someone is diagnosed with COPD and they’re bound to their oxygen tank or home oxygen concentrator, they may lose sight of their favorite pastime.

Whether you want to get out and go fishing with your grandkids or you have a hobby to pursue at home, it’s important to start doing things again. Not only will you be doing something productive and interesting, but it will take your mind off your respiratory condition and focus on more positive things. With the Inogen One G5 portable oxygen concentrator at your side, you’ll worry less about having a reliable oxygen supply so that you can concentrate on what you’re trying to accomplish.

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Conclusion

Over the past couple of decades, Inogen oxygen concentrators have enabled oxygen patients to experience more freedom and independence in their daily lives than ever before. Unlike oxygen tanks and home oxygen concentrators that came before it, the Inogen One G5 excels when it comes to a lightweight design, ease-of-use, quality, and durability. With an astounding oxygen output of 1,260 ml/min and a flow setting of 6, the G5 puts out more oxygen than any pulse flow concentrator ever produced.

The Inogen One G5 is approved by the FAA and offers plenty of accessories to ensure that oxygen patients are able to travel wherever and whenever they want. But it also has plenty to offer for people who want to enjoy the little things like taking a walk in the park or visiting with friends and family. The G5 was just released in the summer of 2019, so you can rest assured that it will be supported by Inogen for years to come. 

If you have any questions or concerns about what you read here, please feel free to leave a comment. And if you’d like to learn more about the Inogen One G5, fill out the contact form at the side of the page so we can get back to you.

In this day and age, convenience and reliability are everything. With how busy the average American is in their day-to-day life, most of us expect things like our phones, vehicles, and medical equipment to work as they’re intended all the time. By doing so, we’re able to enjoy the freedom to go where we want and do the things we set out to do without anything standing in our way.

But if you have COPD, cystic fibrosis, or one of any number of respiratory illnesses, you know that there’s one additional obstacle standing between you and freedom — your oxygen needs. When your needs are met, you’re able to enjoy your life and accomplish everything you set out to do. However, if they aren’t met, you could be left with a lot of wasted time and effort.

Last year, oxygen patients were fortunate enough to be introduced to one of the most convenient and reliable portable oxygen concentrators ever produced — the Inogen One G5. This new unit provides the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow oxygen concentrator on the market meaning that more oxygen patients than ever before are able to experience true freedom.

But when you purchase an Inogen one G5, your freedom isn’t limited to staying out of the house longer. Inogen has built an oxygen machine that is capable of being fully customized to suit all your wants and needs. In this post, we’re going to take a look at seven different things you can do to make the most of your Inogen One G5. If you have any questions about the G5, be sure to leave them in the comment section or fill out the form to the side of the screen so one of our oxygen specialists can reach out to you.

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Read and Understand the G5 User 

Manual

If you want to make the most of your Inogen One G5 experience, you should start by reading and understanding the user manual. The G5 user manual describes in detail all of the specifications and functions of your new mobile oxygen device. It also provides important information about cleaning, maintaining, and troubleshooting your new unit.

You don’t need to read the entire manual from top to bottom, however, it’s recommended that you read the most important sections. This includes things such as operating instructions, user controls, and cleaning and maintenance. You should also begin to familiarize yourself with the audible and visible signals so that you’re prepared if something goes wrong while you’re out and about.

Every Inogen concentrator comes with a manual, so once you’ve read it, be sure to keep it in a place that it won’t get lost. The carrying case that comes with the G5 has a side pouch where you can store it. This way you’ll be able to easily refer back to it whether you’re at home or on a trip. If you ever lose your G5 manual, there is a PDF version you can find online with a quick Google search.

If you decide that you don’t want to carry the Inogen One G5 manual with you, you can always download the Inogen Connect application on your mobile phone or tablet. With this application, you’ll be able to quickly read up on troubleshooting information or check the glossary of symbols for a symbol you don’t recognize.

Discover Which Carrying Option Suits You

The way you carry your Inogen One G5 is almost as important as the weight and size of the unit itself. While you can simply use the carrying case that comes with your G5, you’d be selling yourself short if you didn’t try some of the other carrying options that are available to you. 

The G5 Custom Carrying Case is one of the most popular G5 carrying bags on the market. This is similar to the carrying case that comes with the G5 but it offers a more sleek and minimalist design. The G5 Custom Carrying Case has a shoulder strap that can be adjusted to suit your needs and it a pad to help prevent irritation on your shoulders. Once the device is placed snuggly in the bag, the flap can easily be moved in order to access your G5’s control panel.

The custom carrying case is perfect for anyone who wants to take a quick trip to the grocery store or if you want to travel as light as possible. You’ll be happy to know that there is some storage space on this carrying case, but it’s primarily designed for small personal belongings like your car keys, a wallet, or your Inogen One G5 user manual. The sides are made of a mesh-like material that leaves G5 intake vents open and prevents overheating.

Another carrying option available for the G5 is the Inogen One G5 Backpack. This G5 accessory is designed with the traveler in mind because it has ample storage space to keep all your G5 accessories along with many other belongings such as your passport, wallet, keys, and much more. Like with the custom carrying case, the G5 will fit securely into the back pouch and won’t slide around while you’re walking. The control panel is fully visible and accessible without removing the device.

Last but certainly not least, we have the GO2 Carryalls. The G5 Carryalls have yet to be released, but the G3 Carryalls will give you some idea of what to expect when they do come out. Unlike other Inogen carrying bags on the market, the Carryalls are designed to be stylish. In fact, most people think they’re purses until they look closely and see that it’s holding a portable oxygen concentrator. Once you place your concentrator in this bag, it will be fully concealed with the exception of the nasal cannula which runs out the side. 

Like a purse, the GO2 Carryalls have plenty of room for small personal belongings and the control panel can be accessed by simply unzipping the bag. Currently, the G3 offers two different Carryall colors: a classy brown and a sleek black. Either way you go, this carrying bag is sure to grab the attention of one or more passersby as you’re out and about. If you’re interested in these bags, be sure to wait for the release of the G5 Carryalls. 

Carry Extra Batteries

The Inogen One G5 already offers an impressive 13 hours of battery life on a flow setting of 1 using the 16-cell battery. This is more than enough battery life to stay out all day. This puts the G5 at the second-highest battery life for a POC behind the CAIRE FreeStyle Comfort. This is pretty impressive! But it’s worth noting that if you’re using higher settings or you’re traveling a lot, you may want to invest in a second battery. 

One great thing about the Inogen One G5 batteries is that the 16-cell only weighs 1 pound more than the 8-cell. So, you’re effectively doubling your battery life for only 1 additional pound. You may even be able to upgrade the single battery that comes with the G5 if you decide you don’t want the single battery. 

If you travel by plane frequently, it may be worth it for you to either upgrade to the double battery or purchase an additional one. Most airlines require you to have 1.5 times the duration of the flight in battery life. On the highest flow setting, the G5 double battery will provide you with about 3 hours of battery life, so this should be enough to cover you for most flights within the United States. If not, you can either reduce the flow setting or purchase an additional battery.

Make Use of Different Charging Options

One thing that many oxygen patients forget about the Inogen One G5 is that it has many different charging options to suit your needs. The AC charging cable is the basic wall charger that comes with your portable oxygen concentrator. The DC charging cable, on the other hand, is the one you’ll use to charge your POC in the car via any cigarette lighter. It’s a good idea to keep these both on you wherever you go.

Many oxygen patients are shocked that they’re able to charge their oxygen concentrator while sitting at home or sitting in the car and while they’re simultaneously using it. If you’re taking a road trip, you’ll be able to keep your POC at a maximum charge so when it comes time to take a pit stop or do some sightseeing, you won’t have to worry about running out of battery. The only thing we would advise against is charging your portable oxygen concentrator while the car is off. This will drain the car battery quickly and after a while, you may find that your car won’t start.

The last charging option available for the Inogen One G5 is the external battery charger. This is a small device that attaches to either your 8-cell or 16-cell batteries and can charge them allowing you to charge them without them being attached to the G5 unit itself. What this means is that if you own two batteries, you’ll be able to charge them both at once: one on the G5 and one on the external charger. 

Sell Your Old Home Oxygen Concentrator

Possibly one of the greatest things about owning an Inogen One G5 is that you’ll no longer have a need for your home oxygen concentrator. The G5 has something called Sleep Mode Technology built into it which closely monitors your breathing rate as you sleep. This system will make subtle adjustments to your oxygen delivery to ensure you’re always receiving the right amount of oxygen.

Oftentimes, oxygen manufacturers or oxygen concentrator suppliers will allow you to sell back an oxygen concentrator as long as it’s in good condition. So, if you have a home oxygen concentrator lying around the house, be sure to reach out to an oxygen retailer. With the extra money, you can invest in accessories for your Inogen One G5 or save it.

Another thing you can get rid of now that you have your Inogen G5 are those bulky and dangerous oxygen tanks or oxygen cylinders you have lying around. If you’re currently renting oxygen tanks, you’re going to want to return them to the owner so that you’re not paying to use them monthly. Even if you own your own oxygen tanks, you’ll want to get rid of them because they’re a fire hazard and they take up a lot of space.

In many ways, the Inogen One G5 is an all-purpose oxygen concentrator. It offers a lightweight design like portable oxygen concentrators but it has a high oxygen output like home oxygen concentrators. So, regardless of whether you’re someone who travels non-stop or you never leave the house, you’ll benefit greatly from having an Inogen One G5. Even people who consider themselves “homebodies” love having the ability to be more mobile and active in their own homes so they usually end up selling or returning their old home oxygen concentrators.

Use Your G5 With Your CPAP or BiPAP Machine

In addition to the Intelligent Nighttime Delivery Technology, the Inogen One G5 is CPAP and BiPAP compatible. In other words, if you have COPD and a sleeping disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you’ll be able to attach your G5 directly to your positive airway pressure machine and receive oxygen treatment simultaneously.

This is a very important feature to have with your portable oxygen concentrator because you shouldn’t have to sacrifice one respiratory treatment for another. Sleep apnea alone can be a very dangerous condition to cope with, and COPD can make it much worse. The compressor inside the Inogen One G5 is designed to be used 24/7, so you’ll never have to worry if it will hold up when you run it day and night.

Before you use your G5 with your CPAP or BiPAP machine, you should first speak with your doctor. He/she may want you to adjust your oxygen settings at night or avoid using your oxygen concentrator altogether while you sleep. You might also consider doing a sleep study which will help your doctor better understand your nighttime oxygen needs. If your doctor does approve of nighttime oxygen use, be sure to reach out to your oxygen retailer and consult the user manual to ensure it’s set up correctly.

Plan a Vacation With Friends and Family

Once you have your Inogen One G5 portable oxygen concentrator, you’d be remiss not to start planning trips that simply weren’t possible before. The G5 was designed to provide you with the freedom you need to live life on your own terms and not be defined by your disease. With the G5’s outstanding battery life and lightweight design, you’ll be amazed at all the places you can go and the things you can do.

One thing that many COPD patients miss is being able to travel out of the country. In the past, the majority of oxygen patients used oxygen tanks which are strictly banned on commercial flights due to their bulky size. As a result, many oxygen patients feel confined and like the walls are closing in on them. What’s more, if these people have family on the opposite side of the country, they’d either have to prepare for a long drive or meet them somewhere in the middle.

Fortunately, oxygen patients have been able to regain all of this freedom with the introduction of portable oxygen concentrators. Since the G5 is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), all you’ll need to do is contact your airline a couple days ahead of your flight and let them know you’ll be carrying an oxygen concentrator. Most airlines will ask that you take 1.5 times the duration of the flight in batteries which won’t be hard considering the G5 double battery offers up to 13 hours of battery life.

Another freedom you’ll regain with the G5 is the ability to travel via public transportation. In the past, you likely felt self-conscious about taking your oxygen tank on the subway or bus because there’s always the fear that someone will bump into it, or that your cart might break and you won’t be able to move it. However, the G5 is so small that you can rest it under your shoulder as you’re walking so that nobody bumps into it. It’s also much more durable than an oxygen tank so you won’t have to worry if it gets jostled around a little bit.

At the end of the day, the most important part about traveling is getting to spend quality time with friends and family. When you make the transition to the G5, you’ll be able to spend more time connecting with those around you rather than worrying about your oxygen therapy. A portable oxygen concentrator will enable you to be self-sufficient by managing your own oxygen delivery rather than feeling like you’re a burden on someone else. Depending on your age and the stage of COPD that you have, you may even be comfortable traveling alone, even if it’s just for a short period of time. 

Conclusion

If you just purchased an Inogen One G5, congratulations! You own the most advanced and reliable portable oxygen concentrator ever produced! But if you want to make the most of your G5, you need to get out and start enjoying all the things you used to see and do. If you’re used to being held back and restricted by your oxygen therapy device, it’s time to take a step back and reframe your mindset. With the G5, there is very little standing in the way of you and your dreams or aspirations, so get out and get moving!

If you have any questions at all about operating your Inogen One G5, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by filling out the contact form to the right. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with COPD or you’ve had it for some time, finding the right oxygen concentrator is key to your well-being. A high-quality oxygen concentrator that meets all your wants and needs will provide you with the freedom you need to get out and explore the world, pursue your dreams and aspirations, and most importantly, spend more time with friends and family. All of which would simply be impossible to accomplish while using a bulky and heavy oxygen tank or no oxygen therapy device at all. 

While searching for a concentrator, new patients may find themselves overwhelmed with the number of options they have available to them and current oxygen patients looking for an upgrade to their device may not be aware of what options are available to them. This is why we do our best to break down the specifics of each and every concentrator on the market, so you can quickly and easily find the information you’re looking for and make a decision that you won’t regret later on.

It’s both a blessing and a curse that the oxygen industry moves so fast. It’s a blessing because it means technology is advancing quickly and it’s a curse because it’s harder to follow what’s going on. To help you demystify portable oxygen concentrators, we’re going to take an in-depth look at two of the most popular POCs currently on the market: The AirSep FreeStyle 5 and the Inogen One G5.

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If you have any questions about either portable oxygen concentrator, be sure to leave a comment down below or fill out the contact form at the side of the page so we can reach out to you.

About the AirSep Brand

AirSep is one of the most recognizable brands in the oxygen therapy field. Offering impeccable portable oxygen concentrators like the FreeStyle 3, FreeStyle 5, and AirSep Focus has made a significant impact on the industry for years to come. They got their name “AirSep” because they primarily specialize in air separation products. This refers to any product that separates air into its primary components including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and other inert gases.

AirSep has two different divisions: medical products and commercial products. In its commercial sector, it has created the largest two-bed pressure swing absorption (PSA) oxygen generating plant (42 tons a day) and in the medical field, they’ve produced the smallest oxygen generating unit ever made: The AirSep Focus (1.75 pounds). Needless to say, AirSep is committed to excellence in everything that they do, especially when it comes to providing oxygen patients with a reliable high-quality oxygen machine.

About the Inogen Brand

Since its inception in the early 2000s, Inogen has been laser-focused on one thing: providing oxygen patients with dependable, efficient, and durable portable oxygen concentrators. Inogen has always believed that COPD patients deserve the same freedom and independence as everyone else and that pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators were the way to make that happen.

As of the summer of 2019, Inognen has put out 5 pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators and one home oxygen concentrator. Their concentrators are so sought-after that they remain popular for many years after their release. The Inogen One G3, released in 2012, is still sold by most oxygen concentrator suppliers along with the Inogen One G4, released in 2015, and the Inogen One G5, released in July of 2019. Currently, the Inogen One G5 has the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator in the industry. 

Maximum Oxygen Output

In many ways, buying a portable oxygen concentrator is a lot like buying a car. If you live in an area with unpredictable and extreme weather conditions, you’re not going to waste any time looking at cars that are bad in the snow. You’re going to start with a vehicle that suits your safety needs, then you’ll narrow down your options based on your preferences.

This is similar to buying an oxygen concentrator, only instead of looking at weight distribution and traction control, you’re looking at maximum oxygen output. This is important because not everyone has the same oxygen needs. For someone with stage 1 COPD, 300 ml/min of oxygen may be adequate. However, stage 4 COPD patients likely need over 1,000ml/min of oxygen in order to stay healthy. Ultimately, you and your pulmonologist will have the final say on which oxygen output suits you best.

Another thing to note about oxygen needs is that they’re a variable. If you only go up to a flow setting of 3 on your pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator now, that doesn’t mean you’ll never have a need to go up to a higher setting later on. So, it’s nice to have some extra breathing room (no pun intended) to move your oxygen output either up or down. 

With all that out of the way, you’ll be happy to know that both the Inogen One G5 and the AirSep FreeStyle 5 offer a high oxygen output. More specifically, the Inogen One G5 has pulse flow settings 1 through 6 with a maximum oxygen output of 1,260 ml/min of 90% (+6%/-3%) oxygen. The FreeStyle 5 has a maximum oxygen output of 1,000 ml/min of 90% (+5.5% -3%) oxygen with pulse flow settings 1 through 5.

When compared to most other oxygen concentrators on the market, these two portable oxygen concentrators offer outstanding oxygen output. What this means for you as an oxygen patient is that you’ll have more options available to you. If you’re someone who needs a high oxygen flow setting, you may avoid the need to switch over to a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator which tends to be much heavier and difficult to operate. If your doctor or pulmonologist recommended a continuous flow POC, be sure to ask him/her about the Inogen One G5 and FreeStyle 5.

Weight

Let’s face it, as we get older it becomes much more difficult to carry things like a backpack, purse, or handbag. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with us, it’s just a natural part of getting older. On top of this, you’re likely experiencing a lot of breathlessness and chest pain from your COPD symptoms. And if you suffer from issues like arthritis or osteoporosis, this can further amplify these problems. Taking all these things into consideration, it’s no wonder most COPD patients want the lightest portable oxygen concentrator they can find. 

In the past, the issue of weight was mitigated by using rolling carts. This worked alright until you needed to get over a curb or lift your concentrator into a bus or up a flight of stairs. Fortunately, with the Inogen One G5 or the FreeStyle 5, you won’t have to worry about any of these issues. The G5 weighs in at just 4.7 pounds with the single battery and the FreeStyle 5 weighs in at just 6.7 pounds with the regular battery. 

With that being said, The AirSep FreeStyle 5 is pretty heavy when it comes to pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators. Ideally, you’ll want to look for a portable oxygen concentrator that’s around 5 pounds or less if you want to carry it comfortably. While the FreeStyle 5 is commonly advertised as a POC that’s carried on your shoulder, it may be wise to invest in a rolling cart if it ever causes you back pain or exhaustion.  

Size

There are two factors that you need to take into consideration when it comes to size: the overall volume that the portable oxygen concentrator takes up and the shape of the unit. The dimensions of the FreeStyle 5 are 10.7” H x 4.4” D x 6.6” W so it’s pretty tall compared to most portable oxygen concentrators. It also has a fairly large volume at about 311 cubic inches. However, due to the fact that it’s tall and skinny, you’ll find that it fits in a lot of small spaces quite easily.

The Inogen One G5 differs from the FreeStyle 5 in that it’s more box-shaped with the dimensions 8.15" H x 7.19" L x 3.26" W. It also has a much smaller total volume at just 211 cubic inches. What this means is that you’ll be able to take your Inogen One G5 more places and you’ll be able to store it more easily in your home or while you’re traveling. 

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In general, pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators are much smaller than their continuous flow counterparts. The reason for this is that continuous flow devices usually also have pulse flow technology built into them. They can be transported just about anywhere you want, but they won’t offer you the same freedom and mobility that a pulse flow concentrator will. The FreeStyle 5 sort of straddles the line between pulse flow and continuous flow units in terms of weight.

Battery Life

One of the worst things about owning an oxygen tank is that the technology has reached a stopping point. Unfortunately, oxygen can only be compressed to a certain point, so if you want to carry more oxygen with you, you’re going to need to take a bigger tank. In stark contrast to this, portable oxygen concentrators run entirely off batteries — a technology that’s improving very rapidly.

In recent history, lithium-ion batteries have been the gold standard due to their high storage capacity. These are the same types of batteries that are used in your phone allowing you to make calls and run apps all-day without running out of energy. This same technology is used in your POC to help you stay out and about longer. What’s more, scientists are experimenting with various other types of battery technology such as new generation lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, and solid-state. So there is a lot to look forward to when it comes to the future of portable oxygen concentrators.

Aside from the CAIRE FreeStyle Comfort, the Inogen One G5 has the longest external battery life of any portable oxygen concentrator. With the 8-cell battery, it can push 6.5 hours on one charge using the lowest flow setting. With the 16-cell battery, it can achieve an astounding 13 hours of battery life on one charge! The FreeStyle 5 is much less impressive in this regard, offering only 4.25 hours of battery life on one charge.

If your goal is to get out and do more without worrying about your oxygen supply, it’s clear that the Inogen One G5 is for you. Even with the 8-cell battery which comes with the G5, you’ll easily get 2 more hours out of your battery than you would with the FreeStyle 5’s battery. With the 16-cell battery, you’ll likely have a surplus of battery life so you shouldn’t have a need to carry a second battery of rush home to charge your device. Remember that both the FreeStyle 5 and Inogen One G5 come with both AC and DC charging cables, so you’ll be able to charge them in both a wall outlet and in your car.

Sound Level

Since oxygen tanks make very little or no noise at all, many oxygen patients switching over to concentrators are concerned that their new device will be loud. Fortunately, this is not the case. While pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators are louder than oxygen tanks, they are quiet enough to take them in public areas such as a church or even a library. 

Most people compare the sound of an oxygen concentrator to a refrigerator or similar appliance. It does make a slight buzzing noise, but once you get used to the sound, you’ll hardly notice it’s there. Another thing to note is that there are audible alerts that will notify you about low battery life, column status, and breath detection. All of these alarms can be disabled if you don’t want the extra noise.

On a flow setting of 2, the Inogen One G5 is around 37 decibels (dBA). The FreeStyle 5 will be at about 48 dBA on a setting of 3. So, the latter will definitely be a little bit louder but it’s still about the sound level of a quiet conversation or whisper. Take note, however, that if you reduce the flow setting, the total sound level will reduce. If you increase the flow setting, the decibels will increase. 

Inogen Connect

One of the unique standout features of the Inogen One G5 is the Inogen Connect. This is a mobile phone or tablet application introduced with the Inogen One G4 that allows you to check your battery status, column status, troubleshooting information, and much more, all without touching your portable oxygen concentrator. To set it up, simply install the app and follow the directions to connect it to your oxygen machine.

This app is especially useful for people who are on the go frequently and don’t have a lot of time to stop and check their oxygen concentrator. People who use the Inogen One G5 Backpack love this app because it allows them to check the status of their device without having to remove the backpack and swing it around their shoulder every time they want to check the battery life of their oxygen concentrator. 

The Ideal Candidate for the AirSep FreeStyle 5

While the AirSep FreeStyle 5 has been around for quite some time, it’s still a reliable portable oxygen concentrator produced by one of the most trusted and recognizable brands in the industry. AirSep has set its sights on breaking boundaries in the air separation industry and the FreeStyle 5 is one of their greatest accomplishments yet alongside the AirSep Focus, the lightest portable oxygen concentrator ever produced.

The FreeStyle 5 excels when it comes to maximum oxygen output, size, ease-of-use, and quality, but it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to weight and battery life. It will provide you with a reliable supply of oxygen wherever you go, but after being out for several hours you may find yourself more exhausted and out of breath than usual. With only a few hours of runtime on your battery, you may find that this holds you back too.

The Ideal Candidate for the Inogen One G5

At this point in time, the Inogen One G5 is the most sought-after portable oxygen concentrator on the market. It’s hard to beat the G5 because it excels in every area that matters to oxygen patients: maximum oxygen output, battery life, weight, size, and durability. What’s more, it offers additional features like the Inogen Connect which makes maintaining your device a breeze.

Above all else, you know that the Inogen One G5 is supported by a reputable brand. Inogen has 20 years of experience with producing oxygen concentrators and it seems as if they create something revolutionary with the release of each new unit. Because Inogen concentrators are so popular, you know that you’ll be able to find replacement parts or services for your oxygen machine well into the future and you’ll never be left high and dry with a concentrator that doesn’t work.

Conclusion

It can be a challenge finding the perfect portable oxygen concentrator for your lifestyle. However, the good news is that there are plenty of high-quality machines and reputable oxygen suppliers that can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Before purchasing a unit, be sure to fill out the contact form at the side of the page. Our oxygen specialists will get in touch with you and they’ll help you make educated decisions about your oxygen usage. In the meantime, if you have any comments or concerns, feel free to leave them below.