A Patients Perspective of the Inogen One G2 portable oxygen concentrator at 5500 feet. by Roxlyn G. Cole
I tested out the first Inogen One, a few years ago, and I wasn’t too impressed with it, but this one is- WOW! Outstanding!
They really refined and improved every single aspect of the Inogen design/shape/oxygen delivery, carry bag, cart, and even designed a superb backpack carrier for those who have kept exercising with small weights and can carry 12-14 lbs.
Centered on ones back makes for an easier carry than on one shoulder – in my opinion. ALL of the many changes made for a top of the line quality and design product. AND, MOST important, it seems to do much better than the first one, at keeping me oxygenated even here above a mile high.
I was very impressed. It is an easy lift to move room to room with the new and improved soft handle. For a longer walk or for travel, I would want a cart, and theirs is absolutely the best cart I have ever tested! – Better than any other – everything being equal – it would sell me.
It has the absolutely necessary larger wheels, does not shake or make a noisy jiggle, and the hand pull with a coating on it fits comfortably. ONE negative, the shoulder strap needs a good cushion, nylon tends to cut ones shoulder…it is 10.25 lb in its carry case, 13 lbs with the accessories -which you really need, and add another 1.5 lb for the manual.
Well, wait, the manual is in seven languages… so you could lighten that 1.5 lb by cutting off all but 40 of the 305 pages. The manual is clear about what you can or can not do; they emphasize how to care for the machine and batteries.
It is highly important that you read and learn all of that. Always read the cautions and precautions- some are a bit overboard, and “do not expose to water or rain”… well guess that means lift it up under your coat or use an umbrella.
Most positive: Having both audible and visual signals. What a delight to hear an alarm, and just look at the screen and it tells you what the alarm is for. The visual read out eliminates guesswork.
Usually I have to scramble to find the manual and read what one, two, or three beeps and so on might mean. It shows how much time is left in the battery, and even when the machine needs service.
This is wonderful. Also terrific: During periods of sleep, respiratory rates typically decrease and the Inogen actively responds to this change through its use of patented technology to increase the bolus size. At 10 breaths per minute, the Inogen One systems deliver double the bolus size as when the breathing rate is 20 BPM .For my “brand” of supplemental oxygen needs, I did have to set it on #5 to maintain an oxygen saturation level of 92-94 % while walking on the treadmill – carrying it over my shoulder – at a pace of 2 mph . Remember I live at 5500 ft altitude.
If I slowed down to 1.5 mph my sats stayed closer 93-94%. The lower number reflects when I used a cannula, the better oxygenation was when I was hooked up with my TTO . At sea level I might even be able to walk 3 mph with this one. Inogen G2 has a pulse delivery of #1 – 5.
A Salter tube fits best on the connection point, and it can use a 25 ft long tube.
I had a friend testing it, she insisted it wasn’t working, she couldn’t ‘feel’ the pulse. It is so soft. The proof to show it was working… we checked her sats with an oximeter… 98%! Her DLCO – diffusion is superior to mine. The variables of every patient – what works for one may not for another, and do watch the video about the Inogen G2 system It is a careful explanation of why – how to use it.
Actually, the video could be applied to other POC’s if this one doesn’t fitYOUR needs.
They say you won’t ever run out of oxygen… true as long as the electricity works and you have extra batteries (they can be very expensive). I liked their double size battery it lasted longer than I expected- maybe because I am a slow breather .Try it before you buy it- to be certain it works for you in all your needs. It does not have continuous flow, will not work with CPAP. Have another source of back up oxygen- such as compressed gas or Liquid O2, that is not dependant upon electricity.
Compare it to other POC’s, don’t buy just because it is smaller – the big ones may do more and be necessary for higher flow users above 4 liters LOX. Above see the easy to read screen that tells you all you need to know. That said, I loved it.
Have more questions?
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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.
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Scott Ridlhttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/scott/
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Scott Ridlhttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/scott/
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Scott Ridlhttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/scott/
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Scott Ridlhttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/scott/
