An In-Depth Look at the SeQual eQuinox Portable Concentrator

An In-Depth Look at the SeQual eQuinox Portable Concentrator

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The newest offering in SeQual’s product line, eQuinox is designed to combine plenty of power in a comfortable package. Though sizable for a portable unit, its design and features more than offset its size, making it an excellent investment for anyone that requires an easy-to-transport, flexible solution for oxygen therapy.

Located in the upper bracket of portable oxygen concentrators when it comes to size, the SeQual eQuinox mobile unit is nonetheless still well below the size and bulk of full-sized home concentrators. It comes with both a battery pack and AC power cord to facilitate use both at home and on the go.

eQuinox Highlights:

1. Compact and mobile: Though it’s relatively large for a portable unit, it has a custom transportation rack.
2. Powerful and flexible: Offers up to 3.0 LPM of continuous flow, pulse flow options, and can be fine-tuned to meet individual needs using an user-friendly interface available in multiple languages.
3. Silent and efficient: At maximum settings, it produces less than 45 dB of noise and consumes just 110W.
4. A true companion: The transportation cart and the battery pack combined allow you to take it anywhere without losing access to your oxygen therapy regimen.

Dimensions, Weight, and Design:

The eQuinox has been designed to maximize the portability of the concentrator without compromising the features it offers. The exterior shell measures 13.6” x 10.6” x 7.4” (34.5 cm x 27 cm x 19 cm), cast in durable gray plastic.

A collapsible handle is mounted on the top of the device to facilitate easy transportation. However, the weight, which clocks in at 14 lbs. (6.4 kg) with the 12-cell battery pack installed, may be a bit cumbersome for some. To counter that, the eQuinox also boasts a custom-made wheeled transportation cart that allows you to comfortably move the concentrator around.

Design features include a streamlined shape, intended to minimize the footprint of the concentrator in transport, and a single integrated console mounted on the top. Four buttons and a backlit LCD display ensure that it can be programmed with ease in any conditions. The new multilingual voice interface makes using the device even easier. The oxygen outlet is inset next to the console to allow for easy access and reduce the potential for snagging. All of these features are perfect for quick, hassle-free setup and use.

Oxygen Supply:

The key selling point of the eQuinox is its versatility. The unit is designed to offer both continuous flow and pulse dose at a variety of settings. The former can be set in 0.5 liter increments from 0.5 to 3.0 LPM, while the latter offers dosage from 16 to 96 mL (in 16 mL increments), as well as large doses (128 mL, 160 mL, 192 mL). The negative pressure trigger for the pulse dose has three settings, from -0.13 cm H20 to -0.4 cm H20.

Concentration of the output oxygen is 90% overage, with a minimum of 87% and maximum of 95.5% (measured at sea level). The oxygen is supplied at a nominal 5.0 PSIG or 34.5 kPA. An interesting feature of the eQuinox is the use of autoSAT technology, which automatically modifies the output in response to changing respiratory rates.

Protection against contaminants is achieved by a comprehensive inlet filter. The gross particle filter has to be cleaned on a weekly basis and the entire unit replaced once every year. The eQuinox is provided with a service cabinet, allowing you to remove the particle filter and clean it without disassembling the entire device. As an added bonus, it also allows technicians to remove the entire filter assembly and replace the 9V battery.

Best of all, the eQuinox is exceptionally quiet while working. It only generates 46 dB of noise at the maximum 3 LPM continuous flow setting and falls to 40 dB at the lowest setting. For context, at maximum settings it’s comparable to a quiet suburb or a regular conversation at home. At minimum, it’s equivalent to a library or a bird call. The only time it’s going to behave loudly is when it enters an alarm state, which can occur on power loss, low battery, low therapeutic oxygen output, and oxygen flow falling outside normal operating parameters.

Operating Conditions and Power Requirements:

SeQual Equinox vs. SeQual Eclipse 5

Size comparision of the SeQual Equinox vs. SeQual Eclipse 5

The concentrator is rated as capable of operating in a wide range of temperatures, from 32°F up to 104°F (0°C to 40°C), assuming an 82.4°F (28°C) non-condensing dew point. The design is also capable of operating at a broad variety of altitudes, from -1,254 feet up to 13,130 feet (-382 to 4,000 meters). Furthermore, the device has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for use on all commercial aircrafts.

In terms of power consumption, the eQuinox will only demand 110W at maximum settings. The most attractive feature in this category is the fact that it can be powered both from a power outlet and from its battery, available in two types: The 12-cell battery pack and the 24-cell battery pack. The concentrator comes with the 12-cell battery pack type by default.

How long do they last? The eQuinox 12-cell battery pack provides enough power for 72 minutes of operation at the 2 LPM continuous flow setting and about 162 minutes at the 32 mL pulse dose setting. The larger 24-cell battery pack more than doubles the duration—165 minutes for the 2 LPM continuous setting and 354 minutes on the 32 mL pulse flow setting. The nominal recharge time for each pack ranges between 1.5 and 3.5 hours to reach 80% capacity (dependent on the input). A neat touch is the fact that the LCD display will periodically display the remaining battery charge in minutes, allowing you to plan ahead.

Of course, the concentrator can also be powered from a stationary power outlet. Unlike many other concentrator models, it does not require a transformer brick to be used when powering from DC outlets. All you have to do is take the 12V cable that comes with the device and plug it in.

Bottom Line:

How does the eQuinox rate against the competition? As one of the latest models in SeQual’s long product line, it’s a solid offering. Its key advantage is the flexibility of its control system, which allows for customizing the therapy depending not only on the patient’s needs, but also the type of activity he or she is engaged in at any given moment. Between continuous flow settings and pulse dosage, as long as you don’t need a concentrator that produces more than 3 LPM in oxygen output, you can’t go wrong with the eQuinox mobile concentrator.

The SeQual eQuinox Basic Package comes with eQuinox unit, 12-cell battery pack, an 4807-SEQ AC power supply, DC power cable, an accessory bag, and the transportation cart with telescoping handle.

SeQual eQuinox Portable Concentrator Product Pricing

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

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