Oxygen is a colorless and odorless gas that is essential for maintaining life on earth. In humans, oxygen plays a crucial role in a process called cellular respiration where nutrients in the body are broken down and converted to usable energy. The atmosphere is around 21 percent oxygen which is enough for healthy lungs to maintain every cell in the body.

Unfortunately, not everyone has healthy lungs. Those suffering from respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF) have decreased lung function meaning the small amount of oxygen found in the atmosphere is not enough to keep them healthy. These people may experience symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain. Long-term oxygen deficiency can even lead to organ damage and increase their risk of experiencing a heart attack.

Oxygen concentrators are one of the most popular methods of oxygen delivery because, as long as they have a source of power, they are able to provide an infinite supply of oxygen. This enables oxygen patients to have more freedom in their day-to-day life by allowing them to focus on what they’re doing rather than worrying about their oxygen supply. Since the early 2000s, Inogen has been the leading manufacturer of pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators with their “G” series of products.

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A History of Inogen Inc.

Inogen Inc. was founded in 2001 with the goal of providing oxygen therapy patients with a better solution to their needs. As opposed to compressed oxygen tanks, commonly used throughout the 1900s, Inogen believed oxygen concentrators were the way of the future. Their mission was to make them much smaller, more lightweight, and easier to use than ever before. The way they sought to do this was by using pulse dose technology.

Pulse dose is an oxygen delivery method that was invented to solve the issue of wasted oxygen. On a traditional continuous flow oxygen concentrator, oxygen is put out in a constant stream like a water fountain, indiscriminate of the user’s breathing rate. The downside of this is that there is a lot of wasted oxygen. On the other hand, however, pulse dose concentrators are designed to only distribute oxygen when the patient inhales. This enables oxygen manufacturers to make their portable breathing machines much smaller and lighter.

Aside from the Inogen at Home Oxygen Concentrator, Inogen has made use of pulse dose technology in every one of their oxygen devices. The most notable line of concentrators they offer is their “G” series. The “G” stands for generation, but don’t let the name fool you; older Inogen concentrators are still popular and viable even after the release of newer gen machines. Let’s take a look at each Inogen One unit to see how they compare.  

The Inogen One

The Inogen One Oxygen Concentrator was the first pulse flow oxygen machine released by Inogen, inc. At the time of its release, most oxygen concentrators were designed for in-home use only. In other words, they had no battery attached to the device. They would need to be plugged into a wall outlet in order to run. While the Inogen One oxygen concentrator only offered around 2 or 3 hours of battery life without needing to be charged, it was still much more than what people were used to.

In many ways, the original Inogen One concentrator was a lot like modern continuous flow oxygen concentrators. Because pulse dose technology was in its infancy, this oxygen machine weighed in at 9.8 pounds. This is very heavy when compared to modern pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators and as a result, it was typically transported by using a carrying cart rather than slung over the patient’s shoulder.

The Inogen One went up to a flow setting of 5 and had a unique feature called the “Satellite Conserver.” This was a device that was sold separately from the concentrator. It was attached to the oxygen tubing and allowed oxygen patients to increase the length of their tubing up to 100ft. In other words, you could have your oxygen machine charging in one room of the house while you’re doing something in another room. However, due to safety concerns, this feature was removed from future generation oxygen machines.

The Inogen One G2

The Inogen One G2 was largely built off the back of the original Inogen One. It had a very similar design with the carrying handle and control panel located on the top of the unit. In terms of specs, the Inogen One G2 improved in nearly every facet: the pulse flow settings were increased from 5 to 6; the battery life was increased from 3 hours to 8 hours; the sound level was reduced from 40 decibels (dBA) to 38 dBA, and the weight was reduced from 9.8 pounds to 7 pounds. While the Inogen One G2 was significantly lighter than the Inogen One, it was still primarily transported with a carrying cart.

Another notable improvement of the Inogen One G2 was in terms of its enhanced usability. As opposed to the Inogen one which required you to pull down a hatch on the front of the unit in order to replace a battery, the G2 has batteries that detach directly from the bottom of the unit. The particle filter, which is responsible for removing impurities from the air, is also fully visible on the front of the concentrator. To clean it, simply pull on the tab, wash it off, and replace it once you’re done.

The Inogen One G3

The Inogen One G3 released in the fall of 2012 and to this day is still one of the most popular portable oxygen concentrators on the market. Weighing in at just 4.8 pounds and running up to 8 hours on one charge, the G3 is a great unit all around whether you simply want to get out for a few minutes each day or you want to travel around the world.

Likely one of the first things you’ll notice about the Inogen One G3 is that it underwent a significant design change from the previous two Inogen models. Instead of having a handle on top of the unit and the filters on the front, the G3 has no handle on it and the particle filters were moved to either side. The front and the back of the unit now have the columns, the component that’s responsible for filtering nitrogen out of the air. Since the G3 is so much lighter than all previous iterations, there was no longer a need for the handle because it can be carried over the shoulder using the Inogen One G3 Carrying Case. 

Another great carrying option for the Inogen One G3 is the GO2 Carryalls. These bags were released quite a while after the release of the G3 but they offer G3 owners one more option for transporting their oxygen machine simply and comfortably. Unlike the normal carrying bag that comes with the G3, the GO2 Carryall offers a more fashionable and stylish option. The GO2 Carryall is designed like a purse and is made of 100% genuine leather. It can either be used as a handbag or slung over your shoulder. If you’re someone who’s self-conscious about carrying your portable oxygen concentrator, or you’re just looking for a bag that matches your outfit, the GO2 Carryall is a great option.

If the traditional carrying case or GO2 Carryalls don’t suit your needs, you’ll be happy to know there are two more options: the Inogen One G3 backpack and the Inogen One G3 Rolling Backpack. The regular G3 backpack is ideal for the traveler. If you enjoy taking trips around the country or even outside of the country, this backpack offers plenty of room for all your G3 accessories and even more room for additional personal belongings like your cell phone, tablet, laptop, car keys, and much more! The greatest part about all of this is that it holds your G3 securely and the control panel will be visible so you can make quick changes to your device’s settings. When it’s in the pouch, the G3 will be tucked close to you so that it doesn’t add any extra strain on your back as you go about your day.

The other carrying option, the G3 Rolling Backpack, is perfect if you want to pull your G3 behind you. However, the unique thing about this accessory is that it also has straps, so if you decide you want to pick it up and carry it on your shoulders, you can do that too! The ideal candidate for the G3 Rolling Backpack is someone who either issues with back or shoulder pain or someone who wants to have a versatile carrying option. Either way, you can’t go wrong with the G3 rolling backpack!

All-in-all, the Inogen One G3 was one of the first oxygen machines to prove that it’s possible to have a great all-in-one portable oxygen device. Instead of sacrificing certain benefits, Inogen proved that it’s possible to make a POC that excels in every way including maximum oxygen output, lightweight design, battery duration, and ease-of-use. What’s more, Inogen took the time and effort to ensure every oxygen patient could customize their oxygen experience to their needs by releasing a slew of high-quality accessories.

The Inogen One G4

In many ways, the Inogen One G4 is an oddball when compared to the previous three portable oxygen concentrators Inogen had released. Rather than trying to improve on all aspects, Inogen wanted to make a portable oxygen concentrator that limited weight as much as possible. The result was one of the lightest portable oxygen concentrators ever produced!

The Inogen One G4 weighs in at just 2.8 pounds! That’s just over a pound more than the AirSep Focus, the lightest portable oxygen concentrator on the market. Unfortunately, in order to achieve this feat, a number of other benefits were sacrificed with the G4. The flow settings are down from 5 with the G3 to 3 with the G4; battery life was reduced from 8 to 4.5 hours, and the sound level went from 39 dBA up to 40 dBA.  

With that being said, none of this makes the Inogen One G4 a “bad” portable oxygen concentrator. In fact, it’s pretty amazing how much power Inogen was able to pack into such a small and lightweight portable oxygen concentrator. Despite having a lower oxygen output and shorter-lasting battery life than the Inogen One G3, it will still be a great option for a lot of people out there.

The ideal candidate for the Inogen One G4 is someone who has low oxygen flow needs but wants a reliable and lightweight unit. At only 7.2” H x 5.91” L x 2.68” W, the Inogen One G4 is extremely small so you won’t be bumping into anyone or anything if you’re walking in a crowded area. It’s even small enough to fit in a purse, although that’s not advised because your G4 needs to be able to take in air through its intake vent.

The majority of oxygen patients use a flow setting of 2, so for a lot of people, the G4 will serve them just fine. If you suffer from back or shoulder pain, the lightweight design of the G4 will ensure that you never feel encumbered and it will prevent that feeling of breathlessness if you’re out of the house for an extended period of time.

One of the additional features that was added with the Inogen One G4 is the Inogen Connect. This is an application that can be downloaded on your smartphone or tablet  The app connects your phone to your G4 wirelessly using Bluetooth and provides you with up-to-date information about its battery status and column integrity. Another thing this app allows you to do is to check your device’s user manual no matter where you are in the world. This means you’ll never have to carry around a hard copy of your user manual because you’ll always have access to it on your phone.

The Inogen One G5

The Inogen one G5 was released in the summer of 2019 and it’s the latest oxygen concentrator manufactured by Inogen. The Inogen One G5 is one of the most advanced and sought-after portable oxygen concentrators on the market, and in many ways, it’s a continuation of what the Inogen One G3 set out to accomplish back in 2012.

With flow settings 1 through 6 and a maximum oxygen output of 1,260 ml/min of oxygen, the G5 currently holds the record for the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator. This is a huge deal because it means many oxygen patients who previously used continuous flow oxygen concentrators can now switch over to the lighter and smaller pulse flow units.

If that wasn’t enough, you’ll be happy to know that the G5 also offers a better battery life than most oxygen concentrators on the market. The only pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator to surpass the G5 in terms of external battery life is the CAIRE Freestyle Comfort which can run up to 16 hours on one charge!

The Inogen One G5 has a built-in technology called an Intelligent Delivery System. Typically, your pulse dose oxygen concentrator will deliver oxygen doses whenever you inhale. However, the Intelligent Delivery System accounts for many other factors such as how deep of a breath you take as well as changing breathing patterns. What this means is that you can use your oxygen concentrator 24/7 even when you sleep. All the while, your POC will provide you with your needed oxygen.

The Inogen Connect also made a return with the Inogen One G5. It works in the exact same way as it did with the G4 and of course, if you’re not interested in the app, you don’t have to use it. However, it is very useful if you want to be able to check the status of your device without ever having to look at it.

Why Are Inogen Concentrators so Popular?

Now that you know a bit about each of these portable oxygen concentrators, you may be wondering, “what makes Inogen concentrators stand out?” While there are many great oxygen concentrator manufacturers out there, few are able to provide oxygen patients with the reliability that Inogen does. 

Inogen Inc. realized very early on that oxygen patients have goals, dreams, and aspirations, and outdated oxygen therapy devices like compressed oxygen tanks and liquid oxygen tanks were not providing them with the options they needed. Ever since their inception, Inogen has been laser-focused on making their oxygen concentrators more powerful, reliable, and easy to carry. Judging by the products they’ve put out, they’ve accomplished this with flying colors in a way that many other oxygen companies could not. 

What’s Next for Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators?

Another question you may be wondering is, “what’s the next major innovation coming for portable oxygen concentrators?” While it’s impossible to say where oxygen therapy technology will be in five or ten years from now, it’s possible to make an educated guess based off where they are now and the direction they’re headed.

It’s likely that oxygen manufacturers like Inogen will continue to focus on refining pulse dose technology. AirSep has already proven that it’s possible to make an oxygen concentrator under 2 pounds and Inogen has proven that pulse dose can provide adequate oxygen for the majority of patients, so at this point, it’s just a matter of combining the two. Another thing that will likely improve is battery life. The Inogen One G5 offers a long battery life, but on higher flow settings, that number is cut down significantly. We’ll likely see this improve in the coming years.

Last but certainly not least, we’re likely to see a lot more interconnectivity between oxygen concentrators and other devices you own like your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The Inogen Connect is just one example of what this may look like. However, other companies have experimented with it using their CAIREView™ Telehealth Technology. CAIREView™ is a system built into every Freestyle Comfort POC that allows you to track your oxygen usage, send and receive information from your oxygen provider, and remotely troubleshoot your device. 

Conclusion

Inogen Inc. has a long history of success, primarily when it comes to manufacturing pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators. It’s estimated that about 4.5 million patients around the world rely on Inogen concentrators for their oxygen needs. A number that’s sure to grow as they develop new reliable and innovative oxygen concentrators. If you’d like to learn more about Inogen oxygen machines, stay tuned to our blogs where we cover all the latest information pertaining to oxygen devices. 

Medical oxygen is a necessity for patients with COPD, cystic fibrosis, and other chronic respiratory diseases. Its purpose is to maintain pulmonary stability, reduce symptoms of breathlessness and chest pain, and to ensure blood oxygen levels remain normal. There are many different types of oxygen therapy including compressed oxygen tanks, liquid oxygen tanks, home oxygen concentrators, and portable oxygen concentrators.

Because oxygen therapy is such an important treatment method for so many people, you would think it would be easy to find the right oxygen machine. However, once you start looking into it, you’ll realize that there are a lot of variables to take into consideration. First and foremost, you need to ensure your new device meets your oxygen demands. This way, you’ll avoid many of the common respiratory symptoms associated with your disease.

Secondly, you need to look for an oxygen device that matches your lifestyle. While you can opt for something like an oxygen tank or home oxygen concentrator, these devices will keep you homebound and you likely have things that you need to get out of the house and do. Ultimately, the best option for most oxygen patients are pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators. In this post, we’re going to take a look at two of the most popular pulse flow machines on the market: the Inogen One G5 and the AirSep Focus.

AirSep Company Overview

AirSep was founded in 1987 in Buffalo, New York. In 2012, it was acquired by Chart Industries, a manufacturer of equipment used to store industrial and hydrocarbon gases. Since its inception, AirSep has been a global leader in oxygen concentrator manufacturing. They produce a wide array of oxygen concentrators and they distribute their products in more than 100 countries around the world.

AirSep is one of the most recognizable brands when it comes to oxygen concentrators. Units like the AirSep Freestyle 3, AirSep Freestyle 5, and AirSep Focus as well as a host of home oxygen concentrators have taken the industry by storm, offering oxygen patients a reliable high-quality oxygen machine that they can use for years to come. They’re also one of the most innovative companies in their field, always looking for ways to make their oxygen concentrators more mobile, dependable, and efficient. 

Inogen Company Overview

Although Inogen is a rather new company compared to most medical oxygen companies out there, that hasn’t stopped them from becoming one of the most recognizable brands to produce oxygen machines. Inogen was founded in the early 2000s with the mission of improving the freedom and independence of oxygen patients by offering high-quality and innovative products. Most people would say they’ve accomplished this with flying colors.

This company has made great strides with its Inogen One G series of products. Their latest portable oxygen concentrator, the Inogen One G5, has broken records with its superb battery life and high oxygen output. In fact, Inogen’s products have been so successful that their older generations of POCs like the Inogen One G3 and Inogen One G4 are still very popular to this day.

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Maximum Oxygen Output

The most important thing to note when choosing between the AirSep Focus and the Inogen One G5 is the total oxygen output of each unit. Portable oxygen concentrators differ from oxygen tanks in that they have a limited amount of oxygen that they can put out in a given amount of time. Before you purchase one, you’ll want to ensure that it achieves the recommended dosage of oxygen prescribed by your doctor or pulmonologist if you want to experience its full benefits.

The AirSep Focus and the Inogen One G5 portable oxygen concentrator are on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to oxygen output. The Focus goes up to a setting of 2 which is the equivalent of about 330 ml/min of oxygen. The Inogen One G5, on the other hand, has the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow oxygen concentrator on the market with 6 pulse flow settings; the equivalent of 1,260 ml/min of oxygen. 

There’s a reason we mentioned oxygen output before anything else. If the AirSep’s 330 ml/min of oxygen does not meet your needs, you should no longer consider it as an option despite its other qualifications. Like we mentioned earlier, it’s important to find an oxygen concentrator that meets your needs because if it doesn’t, you’re more likely to experience symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain, and lightheadedness.

Weight

Another important factor when choosing a portable oxygen concentrator is its weight. Having a light unit means having the freedom to go where you want without the fear of becoming exhausted, out of breath, or experiencing back or shoulder pain. Fortunately, there are a lot of great lightweight oxygen concentrators out there and the Inogen One G5 and AirSep Focus are two of the best.

The AirSep Focus is currently the lightest portable oxygen concentrator in the world. Not only that, but there aren’t any portable oxygen concentrators that even come close! The Focus weighs in at just 1.75 pounds! The second-lightest portable oxygen concentrator is the Inogen One G4 which weighs in at 2.8 pounds. If you’re someone who suffers from back pain, shoulder pain, or you want to carry a lot of personal belongings for traveling, the AirSep Focus has a lot to offer. When you have the device slung over your shoulder or back, you’ll hardly know it’s there. You’ll be able to go about your day without ever becoming fatigued or out of breath.

The Inogen One G5 isn’t quite as light as the AirSep Focus, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s still one of the lightest oxygen concentrators ever produced. The G5 weighs in at just 4.7 pounds which is still light enough to carry it wherever you please. Whether you want to take a quick trip to the grocery store or you’re planning a trip around the world, the G5 is light enough to accompany you the whole time without causing you to overexert yourself.

Another great thing about having a pulse flow oxygen concentrator like the G5 and Focus is that you will never need to use a carrying cart. Portable oxygen cylinders and continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators are often too heavy to carry on your shoulders, so you need to wheel them around on a cart. Unfortunately, if you want to enjoy full freedom and independence, this is not ideal. When you can carry your POC on your shoulder, you won’t be bumping into things, or more importantly, into other people.   

Size

Size is another important factor to consider when you’re buying a portable oxygen concentrator. Pulse flow oxygen concentrators are known for being smaller and more compact than their continuous flow counterparts and the Focus and G5 are no exception. The dimensions of the AirSep Focus are 4.8" W x 2.5" D x 6.4" H meaning it’s also the world’s smallest portable oxygen concentrator! The Focus is small enough to fit in a purse and you can even clip it onto your belt. However, it’s recommended that you only use official AirSep Focus carrying bags to ensure it receives the airflow it needs in order to run properly.

The Inogen One G5 also has a small form factor at just 8.15" H x 7.19" L x 3.26" W. This isn’t quite small enough to fit in a handbag, but it’s small enough for you to feel comfortable carrying it at your side under your arm. If you want, you can even carry it on your back using the Inogen G5 backpack. This accessory will allow you to carry your Inogen One G5 securely while also carrying a host of other personal items. If you’re more of a minimalist, however, you may opt for something like the G5 custom carrying case.

Another reason size is important is for storage purposes. If you’re someone who doesn’t use your oxygen device 24/7, you’re going to need to be able to store it easily either in your home, your car, or anywhere else. If you fly often, the G5 and Focus can easily be stored under the seat in front of you while you’re taking off and landing, and you’ll be able to walk down the aisle without the fear of bumping into people around you. Fortunately, both of these portable oxygen concentrators are also durable so you won’t have to worry about them breaking while you’re out and about.    

Battery Life

Each portable oxygen concentrator has two different battery options: a smaller single battery and a larger double battery. The AirSep Focus micro battery will run up to 1.5 hours on one charge and the larger battery will run up to 3.5 hours on one charge. On the other hand, the Inogen One G5’s single battery will provide 6.5 hours on one charge and 13 hours with the double battery.  

As you can see, the G5 will offer you significantly more battery life than the AirSep Focus. This will enable you to stay out longer without having to run home to charge your device. What’s more, with the Inogen One G5 DC charging cable, you’ll be able to charge your G5 in the cigarette lighter in your car as well. What this means is that if you’re on a road trip, you can keep your device fully charged and ready for you to go out and sightsee all day and night. 

You’ll be able to stay out for a while with the AirSep Focus as well, but you’ll need to carry a couple of extra battery packs with you. Since the batteries are so small and lightweight, this shouldn’t be a problem. Since the AirSep Focus is alright very light, you can carry it on your belt and then use a separate bag to hold your batteries, other accessories, and personal belongings. 

Ease-of-Use

In this day and age, anything that can make your life easier is a plus. For better or for worse, technology has made peoples’ lives more complicated than ever, but that doesn’t mean our healthcare should be the same. If your oxygen concentrator is complicated and difficult to use, you’re not going to be a happy camper when you have to make adjustments to it, especially if you’re away from home. The good news is that portable oxygen concentrators like the Focus and G5 are extremely easy to use. Most modern portable oxygen concentrators only have a few buttons: one to turn on the device and two to adjust the flow settings.

Maintenance is another aspect of ease-of-use. In the past, if you used oxygen tanks for oxygen therapy, it was very difficult to do any type of maintenance on the fly. If your oxygen tank started leaking, you needed to refill the oxygen tank, or you wanted to add an oxygen conserver, you would need to speak with an expert. However, pulse dose POCs have made it possible for oxygen patients to perform the majority of maintenance tasks on their own.

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One maintenance task every oxygen user will need to do is replace their batteries. Whether you’re at home or on the go, replacing your portable oxygen concentrator batteries with fully charged ones will give you the freedom to stay out longer and do more. Luckily, with the AirSep Focus and Inogen One G5, you’ll be able to do this in a matter of seconds. Both of these oxygen concentrators have external batteries. Focus batteries are separate from the unit and can be worn on your belt or put in your pocket. Inogen G5 batteries can be attached or removed from the bottom of the unit. 

All things considered, the Inogen One G5 takes the cake when it comes to ease-of-use. With a simple-to-use interface on the top of the unit, you’ll be able to adjust your flow setting on the fly and check your battery life. Batteries can be removed with the simple press of a button and replaced with fully charged ones. While the Focus is easy to use, oxygen users may find that having a battery that doesn’t attach to the unit itself will add extra hassle to their day.  

Additional Features

Not only do modern portable oxygen concentrators offer lightweight design, small form factor, and plenty of battery life, but oxygen manufacturers are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to make oxygen patients’ lives easier. The Inogen One G5 offers a number of exciting new features that you can’t get with any other portable oxygen machine on the market.

The Inogen Connect is an application that can be downloaded on your smartphone or tablet device. Once you have it, you can connect it via Bluetooth to your Inogen One G5. Once it’s connected, you’ll be able to view important information about your oxygen machine like its battery life, column status, and other maintenance information. You’ll even have full access to your Inogen One G5 user manual. This means you’ll never have to worry about losing your user manual when you need it the most.

Unfortunately, the AirSep Focus doesn’t offer any additional features that are comparable to the Inogen Connect. If this feature doesn’t sound like something you would use then you won’t have anything to worry about. However, if it does interest you, you’ll likely have a lot to look forward to in the future. Oxygen manufacturers are pushing for oxygen concentrators to become more connected to users’ lives and offer additional features like usage statistics and even remote maintenance assistance.

Sound Level

Sound is usually never a concern with portable oxygen concentrators. While they do make more sound than an oxygen tank, most oxygen users are very surprised at how quiet they are. On a setting of 2, the Inogen One G5 is about 37 decibels (dBA) and the AirSep Focus is around 45 dBA. While this may seem like a difference, if you compared them side-by-side, you likely wouldn’t notice much of a difference.

Many people compare oxygen concentrators to the sound of a refrigerator. You’ll notice the sound when you first start using it. But as time goes on, you’ll notice it less and less. 37 dBA is about the sound level of a whisper or quiet conversation so you can expect to carry it into a church service or library without disturbing anyone.

The Ideal Candidate for the AirSep Focus

The AirSep Focus is a record-breaking pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator. It’s both the smallest and the lightest POC ever produced making it perfect for anyone with limited mobility and people who suffer from chronic back or shoulder pain. On the other hand, people with high oxygen needs should avoid this oxygen machine. Since the AirSep Focus only provides 330 ml/min of oxygen, it’s only usable by people with mild stage 1 or stage 2 COPD. Before buying an AirSep Focus, be sure to speak with your doctor or pulmonologist.

The Ideal Candidate for the Inogen One G5

The Inogen One G5 has also broken many different records. It offers a higher flow setting and a higher oxygen output of any pulse flow oxygen concentrator and it also has the highest external battery life of any oxygen concentrator. It’s also unique in the sense that it can connect with your phone via Bluetooth to offer you additional features that you can’t get anywhere else. The ideal candidate for the Inogen One G5 who has high oxygen needs but doesn’t want to transfer over to a heavier and bulkier continuous flow oxygen machine.

Conclusion 

Finding the right portable oxygen concentrator isn’t always as easy as it seems on the surface. You need to first take into account your oxygen needs, then narrow down your pick based on your preferences. The AirSep Focus and Inogen One G5 are both record-breaking portable oxygen concentrators but for two very different reasons: The AirSep Focus is the lightest unit you can currently buy and the Inogen One G5 is one of the most powerful and efficient. No matter which unit you’re interested in, get in touch with our respiratory specialists by filling out the contact form to the right. We’ll help you work out the details of your purchase.

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We love getting new products here at LPT Medical. The more oxygen concentrators we can offer oxygen patients, the more options they have to live life on their own terms without being defined by their disease. We’re happy to say that our latest pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator, the Caire Freestyle Comfort, does just that!

Last January, CAIRE Inc. was acquired by NGK, a comprehensive ceramics processing manufacturer based out of Japan. Using NGK’s well-established infrastructure in medical equipment manufacturing, distribution, and production, they aim to make high-quality portable oxygen concentrators more widely available to people around the world. 

Like other popular oxygen machines including the Inogen One G5, Respironics SimplyGo Mini, and the Oxlife Freedom, the Freestyle Comfort is a pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator. Due to the way oxygen is dispensed from these machines, they are much lighter and compact than their continuous flow counterparts. As such, you’ll have more freedom to go where you want and do as you please in your day-to-day life. Read on to learn what new features the Caire Freestyle Comfort brings to the table.

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High Oxygen Output

The first step in choosing a portable oxygen concentrator is always to determine if the unit you like meets your oxygen demands. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to know whether an oxygen machine actually meets your oxygen needs due to terms like “continuous flow” or “pulse flow.” What’s more, some oxygen concentrators are measured in liters per minute (LPM) while others are measured in milliliters per minute (ml/min).

To clarify, a continuous flow oxygen concentrator puts out a constant stream of oxygen and they are often measured in liters of oxygen per minute. Pulse flow oxygen concentrators put out “boluses” of oxygen which are typically measured in milliliters per minute. To further complicate things, not all pulse flow settings are equivalent. For example, a pulse flow setting of 2 on one device may not be the same output as a setting of 2 on another device. As a result, you’ll want to look at the maximum oxygen output of each device in order to compare them effectively.

The Caire Freestyle Comfort has pulse flow settings 1 to 5 and has a maximum oxygen output of 1,050 ml/min. To put this into perspective, that’s more than the Respironics SimplyGo Mini which has pulse flow settings 1 to 5 but a maximum oxygen output of 1,000 ml/min. This means that each pulse flow setting on the Freestyle Comfort has a slightly higher oxygen output. Another popular POC, the Inogen One G5, has a maximum oxygen output of 1,260 ml/min but it has one additional pulse flow setting than the Freestyle Comfort. 

All things considered, the Freestyle Comfort still has a very high oxygen output for its class. In fact, it provides enough oxygen for the large majority of oxygen patients. If you have any doubts about it, however, be sure to speak with your pulmonologist to learn exactly what your oxygen needs are and whether or not pulse dose will be a good oxygen delivery method for you.

Light and Easy to Carry

One expectation most people have about pulse dose oxygenators is that they’re light enough to carry on their shoulders without being encumbered. While there are some continuous flow oxygenators that can be carried on your back, for the most part, pulse flow is the way to go if your goal is portability.

The Freestyle Comfort weighs in at just 5 pounds with the single-cell battery and 6 pounds with the double-cell battery. Compare that to oxygenators like the SeQual Eclipse 5 which weighs 18.4 pounds! The Freestyle Comfort is less than a third of this POC! Even compared to other pulse flow oxygenators, the Freestyle comfort is very light. The Inogen One G5 which was released last summer was championed for its lightweight design and it’s only 0.3 pounds lighter than the Freestyle Comfort.

Having a lightweight portable oxygen concentrator will enable you to do many things that you couldn’t while you were using an oxygen tank or continuous flow mobile oxygen concentrator. For example, many oxygen patients find that it’s much easier to take public transportation like the bus, a light rail, or subway. The Freestyle Comfort is small enough that you can keep it out of the way of other passengers without them tripping over it and potentially damaging your machine. 

New Ergonomic Design

It’s not very often that we use the term “ergonomic” to describe a mobile oxygen concentrator. However, the HME experts at CAIRE Inc. wanted to try something new with the Freestyle Comfort by adding an ergonomic curve to the shape of the unit. Similar to canteens, this added detail will make it a little more comfortable to carry your portable oxygen concentrator at your side all day. If you like to get up and move a lot, the shape will help prevent it from sliding around so much and instead, work better with the natural shape of your body. 

CAIREView™ Telehealth Technology

The term “telehealth technology” denotes a product that’s able to deliver health-related services through an interconnected network like the internet. Telehealth technology is often used to enable long-distance patient and clinician communication, remote health monitoring, reminders, and advice. CAIREView™ is a system built into every Freestyle Comfort that allows you to track your oxygen usage, send and receive information from your oxygen provider, and remotely troubleshoot your device.

As an oxygen patient, there’s no understating the importance of having a telehealth-enabled device. Instead of just purchasing a POC and assuming that everything is working as it should, CAIREView™ provides you with a simple all-in-one application that monitors your device’s integrity without you having to lift a finger. All you need to do is download the application on your smartphone or tablet device and follow the instructions in your user manual.

Another benefit of this powerful new technology is that it simplifies the way you use your device. The Freestyle Comfort has three buttons: one to turn the device on and off and two to manage your flow settings. There aren’t a ton of features you need to mess with while you’re using your oxygen concentrator because most of it is dealt with through the CAIREView™ application. If you ever want a status update on how your portable oxygen concentrator is running, simply log in using your mobile device.     

Long Battery Life

Battery life is another very important aspect of mobile oxygen concentrators. Battery life is what determines how long you’ll be able to stay out without having to run home to charge your POC. Like most POCs, the Freestyle Comfort can use two different batteries: 8-cell batteries and 16-cell batteries. The 8-cell which comes with the purchase offers up to 8 hours of use on one charge. The 16-cell battery which is sold separately offers an astounding 16 hours of use on one charge! While this may seem like overkill, you’re likely going to need to use a higher oxygen flow setting which will reduce your battery life each setting you go up. However, even on the highest setting, you’ll get around 4 hours out of one charge cycle.

With a long-lasting battery, you’ll be able to stay out of the house longer and do more without worrying about losing your oxygen supply. Whether you simply want to take a trip to the story, a friend’s house, or you want to go on a vacation you’ve always dreamed of, you’ll be able to do so without stressing about your medical condition. If you want, you can even carry an extra battery or two with you which can easily be swapped out as needed. 

FAA Approved 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a government organization that was created to oversee commercial aviation in the United States. They’re responsible for many of the rules that you have to follow when getting on an airplane such as the amount and types of things that you can bring on a plane. In the past, medical oxygen machines of all types were prohibited on airplanes. Oxygen tanks were too bulky and they’re a major fire hazard and portable oxygen concentrators were too bulky at the time to be safe.

However, in the year 2020, the vast majority of portable oxygen concentrators are approved by the FAA for in-flight use including the Caire Freestyle Comfort. Due to its small form factor and lightweight design, the Freestyle Comfort can easily be stored under the seat for takeoff and landing. And during the flight, you’ll be able to keep it on the seat next to you in order to use it. Going to the bathroom on an airplane is never a great experience but with the Freestyle Comfort, you’ll be able to do so without bumping people as you walk down the aisle. 

Sieve Bed Warranty

The Caire Freestyle Comfort is one of only a few pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators out there that offers not only a 3-year warranty on the unit itself, but the sieve beds as well. Sieve beds are a filter inside your POC that’s responsible for separating nitrogen from oxygen in the air. This is one of the most important components of your oxygen machine because without it, you would not be inhaling pure oxygen. Sieve beds typically last several years without needing to be replaced, but this 3-year warranty will give you the assurance you need to use your device 24/7 without worry.

Sieve beds are not the only type of filter on your oxygen machine, so it’s important that you don’t get them confused. Sieve beds are large columns that are inside the device. Typically, they should only be replaced by professionals because doing so requires you to open the device. Air filters are the other type of filter on your Caire Freestyle Comfort. These are responsible for removing impurities from the air such as dust, dirt, or other airborne allergens. These are located on the outside of your device and you should plan on taking them off every week or two in order to wash them. Air filters typically don’t need to be replaced unless they’re damaged.

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Conclusion

If you’re looking for an oxygen concentrator for sale, the Caire Freestyle Comfort is another great one to consider. It has a high oxygen output meaning it’s accessible for a large portion of oxygen patients, it has a long battery life so you can stay out longer, and it provides patients with additional ergonomic features that you can’t get with any other POC on the market.

While we certainly recommend the Caire Freestyle Comfort to anyone who’s interested in it, it’s important to look at all your options before making a final decision. The Inogen One G5, for example, is similar to the Freestyle Comfort but it has additional features like the Inogen Connect which allows you to view your POC’s battery life, sieve bed status, and troubleshooting information using your smartphone.  

The Inogen One G5 mobile oxygen concentrator was released in the summer of 2019. It made great strides in terms of battery life, weight, and oxygen output; and to this day, it remains one of the most sought-after oxygen machines on the market. If you’ve just purchased one or you’re considering purchasing one in the near future, you may be wondering, “what now?”

Buying your first Inogen one G5 can be a very liberating experience, but without a plan, you may not be making the most of it. The G5 has a lot to offer in the way of additional features, so it’s important to educate yourself on them as soon as possible. We’ll take a look at some of these features and give you some ideas for how you can use them.

With all the new portable oxygen concentrators releasing each year, it can be really difficult to keep up with everything that’s going on. Doing a web search may help you out a bit, but it will likely raise more questions than it will answer. This is why we’ve taken the time to put together guides like this one to help you learn about the best portable concentrators of the new year.

However, as we’ve mentioned in the past, just because a concentrator is widely considered to be the best on the market doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best one for you. Every oxygen patient has different wants, needs, and concerns, so it’s important to take all of these things into consideration first. Once you do so, you’ll be able to weigh the pros and cons of each unit before making a decision.

To further this goal, we’re taking a look at two popular pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators this week: the Inogen One G5 and the ResMed Mobi. Each of these concentrators has been praised by patients and retailers alike for their high-quality design and their focus on portability and freedom above all else. Read on to learn more about each unit and feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions.

ResMed Mobi Overview

ResMed is known for its innovations in CPAP technology. Since its inception in 1989, the company has focused on making sleep apnea treatment more effective, comfortable, and accessible. ResMed is also largely responsible for making CPAP devices more widely available for a global audience, allowing sleep apnea patients to get the products they need to sleep restfully.

So far, ResMed has only produced two oxygen concentrators: the ResMed Mobi and the LifeChoice Activox 4L. The older of which, the Activox 4L, marked ResMed’s first foray into oxygen therapy when it acquired the creators of the machine, Inova Labs, back in 2016. In early 2019, ResMed released the Mobi which saw several major improvements over the LifeChoice Activox 4L.

Like the name “Mobi” suggests, this oxygen concentrator is all about mobility. This device offers a lightweight design, ample battery life, and plenty of carrying options to suit your wants and needs. The ResMed Mobi has an internal battery, so unlike other portable oxygen concentrators, you won’t have to take time to replace batteries unless you want to use the Mobi’s external battery system.

Inogen One G5 Overview

Inogen was created in the early 2000s with the dream of revolutionizing the way COPD patients see oxygen therapy. At the time, oxygen patients dreaded using oxygen tanks because it meant being bound to their homes and expending a significant amount of their savings refilling their tanks once or twice a day. What’s more, these tanks could be dangerous and many people felt insecure even being around them.

The Inogen G5 is the latest pulse flow POC in Inogen’s “G” series of units. It boasts the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator on the market, coupled with a lightweight design and an incredible battery life. We labeled the Inogen One G5 the best portable oxygen concentrator of 2020 because we believe it’s the best machine for the greatest number of people.  

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Pulse Flow Settings

As aforementioned, the Inogen G5 and ResMed Mobi are both pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators. What this means is that they both use pulse flow technology. This technology was developed as a more efficient alternative to continuous flow which is the oxygen delivery method used on heavier and more cumbersome oxygen concentrators. 

As opposed to continuous flow which puts out a constant stream of oxygen, pulse flow delivers a bolus of oxygen only when the patient inhales. In concentrators like the G5 and Mobi, this plays an important role in keeping the units small, lightweight, and allowing the battery to last as long as they do.

Oftentimes, this is the best place to start when choosing an oxygen concentrator, because if your machine doesn’t meet your oxygen demands, it’s not worth pursuing in the first place. You’ll be happy to know that both the Inogen One G5 and ResMed Mobi offer plenty of options. The G5 can go up to a setting of 6 and the Mobi can go up to a setting of 4.

The vast majority of oxygen patients only need a setting of 2, so both of these units tend to be a great choice. However, if your doctor recommends you use a higher flow setting or you want room to move up, the Inogen One G5 could end up being a safer choice for you.

Battery Duration

In the world of portable oxygen concentrators, battery life equals freedom. Fortunately, the Inogen One G5 and ResMed Mobi are both contenders for the best battery life of any portable oxygen concentrator on the market. However, their batteries work a little bit differently, so it’s important to understand these differences before you make a purchase.

The G5 runs solely on external batteries that can be attached or removed from the device. The G5 single battery (8-cell battery) which comes with the device offers up to 6.5 hours of life on a pulse flow setting of 1. The G5 double battery (16-cell battery) which is sold separately, offers up to 13 hours of battery life on a setting of 1.

Instead of coming with an external battery like the G5, the ResMed Mobi has a battery built into it. This internal battery offers 8.6 hours of battery life on a pulse flow setting of 1. However, there is an external battery you can purchase separately which extends this to 13.1 hours of battery life on one charge.

Weight

Weight is the third most important factor to consider when choosing a portable oxygen concentrator. After all, it wouldn’t be portable if it wasn’t light enough to carry around with you wherever you go. There are several important things to note when comparing the weight of the G5 and the weight of the ResMed Mobi. 

The G5 weighs in at 4.7 pounds and the Mobi weighs in at 4.8 pounds. For the most part, the weight difference is negligible, however, you have to remember that the Mobi has more built-in battery life than the G5 offers with a single battery. If you want more than 6.5 hours of battery life with your G5, you’ll need to purchase an extra single or double battery which will add some extra weight.  

All things considered, the Inogen One G5 and ResMed Mobi excel when it comes to weight. If you suffer from back pain or other conditions that prevent you from carrying heavy objects, you’ll find that these two units are some of the best on the market. Most patients can easily carry these machines over their shoulder without having to use a rolling cart.

Sound Level

Sound level isn’t usually a problem with portable oxygen concentrators. If you’ve never heard one before, most people compare it to a quiet hum, not much louder than a whisper. Some patients notice the sound at first, but after a day or two of using the oxygen device, they get used to it.

It is worth noting the noise level of both units, however, because the Mobi is on the louder side compared to other pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators. The Inogen One G5 is just 37 decibels (dBA) on a setting of 2 and the Mobi is 44 dBA on a setting of 2. In most situations, you probably won’t notice this difference, but if you’re in a quiet place like a library, you may find that the Mobi is too loud.

Usability

Ease-of-use and usability are important factors to consider when buying a portable oxygen concentrator. If you struggle to use your machine correctly while you’re out of the house, you could waste a lot of time that you could be spending enjoying your life. You should strive to find a POC that suits your lifestyle and doesn’t produce any unnecessary hassle for you in your daily life.

Both the Mobi and the G5 have user-friendly interfaces that enable you to easily modify your oxygen flow or check your battery life on-the-go. The control panel is built into the top of the unit and there aren’t a whole lot of buttons that you’ll need to deal with. Most oxygen patients are happy to find that they can learn all the ins and outs of operating their unit within the first day or two of owning it.

Accessories

You’d be remiss to purchase a Mobi or G5 without looking into all the great accessories they have to offer. One of the things you’ll be happy to find is that both units offer plenty of carrying options in order to customize your experience and allow you to live life on your own terms.

The Mobi has a sleek, gray carrying case that can be slung over your arm, worn on your back, or even attached to a suitcase or rolling cart using four different straps that you can purchase separately. The G5, on the other hand, has two different carrying options: the G5 Custom Carrying Case and the G5 backpack. The custom carrying case is for those looking to travel light and the backpack is great if you’re going on a long vacation and need to carry a lot of personal belongings.

The Ideal Candidate for the ResMed Mobi

The Mobi is ResMed’s first foray into medical oxygen devices after acquiring Inova Labs in 2016. While they are new to the oxygen industry, they have three decades of experience with producing sleep therapy equipment and they are largely responsible for the success of CPAP and BiPAP therapy today. Coupled with their prominence and reputability, ResMed has what it takes to put out great portable oxygen concentrators.

ResMed certainly didn’t disappoint with the ResMed Mobi. This portable oxygen concentrator is lightweight, has a small form factor, and has an outstanding internal battery that will keep you going all day. The ideal candidate for the Mobi is someone who wants more freedom in their day-to-day life. This means not having to worry about refilling an oxygen tank, having a long-lasting durable battery, and a reliable machine that can run 24/7 while you’re asleep or while you’re awake. 

The Ideal Candidate for the Inogen One G5

It’s hard to compete with Inogen when it comes to their track record of success. While they haven’t been around as long as other oxygen concentrator companies, the impact they’ve had is undeniable. In fact, Inogen is such a sought-after brand that patients and retailers alike eagerly await the release of their concentrators and accessories.

Having been released this past summer, the Inogen One G5 is a top-tier portable oxygen concentrator. In terms of weight and battery life, the G5 is neck-in-neck with the ResMed Mobi. Most importantly though, the G5 offers two more flow settings than the Mobi, so if you have higher oxygen demands, the G5 will always be a better choice.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, you can’t really go wrong with the Inogen G5 or ResMed Mobi. Both units are backed by reputable and experienced brands and they’re some of the most advanced oxygen therapy devices the industry has to offer. Once you ensure that your oxygen needs are accounted for, it ultimately comes down to preference. If you’ve used ResMed sleep apnea products before, go with the Mobi. However, if you’ve used other Inogen products like the G3 or G4, the G5 may be your first choice.

Oxygen concentrators are a lifeline for many respiratory patients. Those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis (CF) can experience significant relief from symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest pain, and shortness of breath by using supplemental medical oxygen and following a strict diet and exercise routine.

But oxygen therapy isn’t the same for everyone. If you have mild stage 1 COPD you may only need to use your oxygen tank or oxygen concentrator at night or while exercising. However, if you have severe stage 4 COPD, you may need to use your oxygen therapy device 24/7. Believe it or not, another factor that affects how often you use oxygen is where you’re located.

Denver got its name “the Mile-High City” for a reason; it’s about 5,280 feet above sea level. As you likely know, the higher you go in elevation, the thinner the air gets and the less oxygen you have to breathe. This is known as ‘hypoxia,” the same term that’s used to describe a lack of oxygen in your blood.

So what does this mean for oxygen patients? Are they not able to travel to places with a higher altitude like Denver?

Not exactly… but it does mean that they need access to reliable oxygen machines that won’t give out when they need them the most. 

Whether you’re just visiting Denver for the Holidays or you’ve lived here your whole life, read on to learn about the best place to buy a medical oxygen device in the Denver area.

About LPT Medical

As a veteran-owned company, the respiratory specialists at LPT Medical know what it means to serve the community with an unrelenting commitment to quality and dependability. Despite being a relatively new oxygen retailer, LPT has quickly made a name for itself as one of the top portable oxygen retailers in the Denver area. 

Unlike other retailers which are mainly concerned with reaching sales goals, LPT is very customer-focused. Rather than trying to penny and dime every patient they contact, the respiratory specialists at LPT strive to get portable oxygen concentrators in the hands of everyone who wants and needs them.

Industry-Leading Customer Service

Let’s face it, between speaking with your doctor and pulmonologist, reading about your respiratory condition, and being exposed to the hundreds of medical oxygen units on the market, you probably don’t feel confident in choosing the right oxygen concentrator. You want what’s best for your health, but you also don’t want to spend a fortune if you don’t even know what you’re getting.

What’s more, you’ve probably spent a fair amount of time dealing with Medicare or private health insurance companies who refuse to provide you with the medical oxygen you need. In all honesty, these companies make their paycheck based off how little they can help you. If by some chance you are able to convince them to provide you with oxygen, it will almost always be the bare minimum.

With seemingly everything and everyone working against you, you’ve probably lost hope of ever finding the right medical oxygen device. However, if you decide to get in touch with a respiratory specialist at LPT Medical instead, you’ll find that getting an affordable, high-quality portable oxygen concentrator is much easier than you thought.

LPT Medical prides itself on its industry-leading customer service. Rather than being connected with an unreliable representative, LPT Medical will assign you a respiratory specialist who is trained to uncover the unique needs of each oxygen patient and align them with a medical oxygen device that will serve them best. The best part of all is that you ever need help with anything related to your oxygen concentrator or oxygen therapy, you can always reconnect with your respiratory specialist.

The oxygen therapy industry is a difficult one to grasp because there are so many different facets to consider. First and foremost, you need an oxygen machine that meets your oxygen requirements. Once that’s accounted for, your respiratory specialist will help you compare the weight, battery life, and size of each unit on the market. Throughout the process, you can always feel free to ask any questions or address any concerns that you may have.

Trusted Brands

Unfortunately, scams are all too common in this day and age. Given the popularity of online shopping, it’s easier than ever for someone to hop online and pose as someone that they’re not just to steal someone’s identity or hard-earned money. To ensure that you have no doubts about the quality of the product you’re receiving, LPT Medical only distributes oxygen equipment from the most trusted brands in the industry.

Inogen

Inogen was one of the first companies to pursue pulse flow technology back in the early 2000s. They dreamed of being able to provide high-flow oxygen patients with a lightweight, small, and durable portable oxygen unit that also meets their high oxygen demands. As a company, they believe that no oxygen patient should be homebound and that chronic respiratory disease should not prevent anyone from getting out and doing the things they love to do.

But Inogen didn’t become a trusted brand on hopes and dreams, they have a long track record of success with their “G” series of portable oxygen concentrators. Ever since the release of the Inogen One G1 around two decades ago, Inogen has been breaking boundaries in the medical oxygen field. Oxygen patients, medical professionals, and medical equipment retailers eagerly await the release of new Inogen products because they know they will be a hit.

With 2020 right around the corner, The Inogen One G5 is currently the undisputed king of portable pulse flow oxygen concentrators. This machine weighs just 4.7 pounds making it one of the lightest POCs on the market. It also has the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow POC affording you 6 different flow options based on your needs. If you’re concerned about how much time you’ll have outside the house, you’ll be happy to know that the Inogen G5 gets up to 13 hours of battery life using the double battery (sold separately).  

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Respironics

Respironics was founded by Gerald E. McGinnis in 1976. This new company primarily focused on sleep technology like CPAP and BiPAP machines. Respironics quickly earned a name for itself as one of the primary retailers for sleep apnea products and they eventually began to incorporate oxygen therapy devices into their lineup. A merger with a multinational Dutch company, Philips in 2007, allowed Respironics to reacher a larger customer base than ever before.

While Respironics is mainly known for their CPAP and BiPAP machines, they’ve stressed the importance of treating overlap syndrome — the result of having both COPD and sleep apnea. With their CPAP and BiPAP compatible oxygen concentrators, COPD patients are able to experience healthy and restful sleep without worrying about their respiratory condition.

AirSep

AirSep got its name from the term “air separation.” This refers to the separation of air into its distinct parts: primarily nitrogen and oxygen. Since the 1980s, AirSep has focused on manufacturing high-quality air separation equipment like oxygen concentrators. In 2014, it was acquired by Chart Industries, which had previously acquired SeQual Technologies, another notable oxygen concentrator brand offered by LPT Medical.

AirSep is primarily known for creating the lightest portable oxygen concentrator ever produced: the AirSep Focus. Despite its small form factor, the AirSep Focus provides two pulse flow settings and a battery that can last over 3 hours on one charge. This medical oxygen device remains is the preferred option for many COPD patients who also suffer from back pain and other mobility issues.

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Options to Fit Your Lifestyle

Aside from working with companies that are reliable and established, LPT also offers specific products and product lines that are the most useful and reliable for oxygen patients. Oxygen concentrators were invented in the 1970s but to this day, oxygen manufacturers continue to refine them by improving battery life, reducing their size and weight, and increasing their oxygen output. It’s impossible to say where oxygen technology will be five or ten years from now, but from the way it’s going, it’s hard to imagine anything other than positive changes.

Home Oxygen Concentrators

A home oxygen concentrator is an oxygen device you’d likely find in an oxygen patient’s home pre-2000. While home oxygen concentrators have largely been replaced with portable oxygen concentrators, they still serve an important role for oxygen patients all over the world. What’s more, they’re still frequently used in hospitals as a safe, cost-effective, and reliable source of oxygen.

One of the most notable benefits of home oxygen concentrators is their high oxygen output compared to portable units. Since these oxygen machines need to be plugged into the wall to run, they’re able to put out 5 to 10 LPM of continuous flow oxygen. For patients with severe stage 4 COPD, this will be ideal.

Another benefit of home oxygen concentrators is that you never have to worry about swapping out or refilling oxygen tanks. If you’ve used either oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen tanks in the past, you know how much of a struggle it can be. Alternatively, home oxygen concentrators are “set it and forget it.” Simply turn the device on to your desired continuous flow setting and you’ll be able to use it, day and night, without having to mess with it.

Portable Oxygen Concentrators

There are two different types of portable oxygen concentrators: pulse flow units and continuous flow units. Continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators work the same as home oxygen concentrators in that they provide a constant stream of oxygen through the nasal cannula. Pulse flow units, however, have a built-in delivery system that only emits oxygen when you inhale. Each bolus (dose) of oxygen is timed perfectly so that you receive the most amount of oxygen. In many cases, continuous flow concentrators also offer a pulse flow option.

In this day and age, portable oxygen concentrators make up a large part of the oxygen market. Due to the significant strides that oxygen manufacturers have made with pulse flow technology in the past several decades, respiratory patients are putting aside their home units for something that’s portable and affords them the freedom they need to live life on their own terms. While home oxygen machines and continuous flow machines are less popular, LPT still offers them for patients who require more oxygen.

CPAP and BiPAP Machines

According to sleepapnea.org, about 22 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). And about 15 percent of COPD patients also have OSA according to the COPD foundation. Unfortunately, many people who suffer from this overlap syndrome don’t get the help they need. Respiratory patients are often surprised to learn that oxygen therapy and either CPAP or BiPAP treatment can be used simultaneously. Most CPAP machines even have a port on the device where you can hook up an oxygen machine.

LPT Medical sells a number of heavy hitters like the Respironics Dreamstation Auto CPAP machine and the ResMed AirSense 10 with a heated humidifier built in to prevent nasal irritation. These machines will keep your airways open and allow you to breathe easily all night without interruption. Many of these devices also have advanced technology like Bluetooth connectivity, automatic altitude adjustment, and SensAwake technology which adjusts pressure treatment as your sleep pattern changes. 

Oxygen Accessories

Another great luxury of this day and age is being able to customize everything to our liking. Portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G5 are great on their own, but once you learn about the host of high-quality oxygen accessories you can buy for it, you’ll be amazed at all the things you can do. 

Carrying bags are one of the most important accessories LPT Medical has to offer. While most POCs come with a carrying case of some sort, you can also purchase bags that match your lifestyle. For example, the Inogen One G5 backpack offers plenty of carrying space all while holding your G5 oxygen concentrator securely in place and fully usable. On the other hand, you could use something like the G5 custom carrying case which is best for short trips.

Before you purchase an oxygen concentrator, be sure to check out what other accessories LPT Medical has to offer. For units like the G5, you’ll be able to purchase an external battery charger which can be used to charge your batteries separately from your G5. Additional high-capacity batteries can be purchased as well as DC power adapters which allow you to charge your portable oxygen concentrator in the car.   

FAA Approved Devices

Many people reach out to us concerned that they will never be able to fly again once they start oxygen therapy. Fortunately, this couldn’t be farther from the truth because the majority of our portable oxygen concentrators are approved for in-flight use. Several decades ago, when oxygen tanks were the only type of mobile oxygen, COPD patients were not able to fly because tanks are too dangerous and bulky to carry onboard an airplane.

Modern portable oxygen concentrators, on the other hand, contain no compressed oxygen meaning there’s no threat of them exploding or catching fire. Pulse flow units like the Inogen One G3 are so small and lightweight that you can put them under the seat while you’re taking off and landing. It’s a little more difficult to travel with a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator because they’re bigger and heavier, but most of them are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration as well.

Approved for Use at High Altitudes

Altitude sickness also called “acute mountain sickness” is a condition that results from sudden exposure to a low oxygen atmosphere which can lead  to nausea, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. Unfortunately, people with COPD or cystic fibrosis are even more susceptible to this condition unless they have a reliable source of oxygen.

The one downside to oxygen concentrators is that they draw in surrounding air in order to remove the nitrogen and output pure oxygen. But if the air coming in doesn’t have enough oxygen, it’s not doing you any good. However, POCs like the Inogen One G3, G4, and G5 can operate up to 10,000 feet above sea level. Some can operate at even higher altitudes like the SeQual Eclipse 5 which works up to 13,123 feet above sea level. In other words, if you’re visiting Denver or you live here, you’ll have no problems using your POC. However, if you’re traveling into the mountains, you’ll need to ensure you follow your user manual guidelines.

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Conclusion

Choosing an oxygen concentrator is not always easy. Every oxygen patient has different needs, wants, and expectations, so it’s best to speak with a specialist who can align you with the exact product you’re looking for. At LPT Medical, we take pride in offering a variety of options no matter your oxygen demands. What’s more, we offer plenty of oxygen accessories so that you can customize your oxygen experience and live life on your own terms.

We’re conveniently located in southeast Denver near the Denver tech center, so if you ever need technical support for your POC or you want to view the units before you purchase one, feel free to come visit us. If you have any questions about anything you’ve read online, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or stay tuned to our blog for more helpful information.