All cells in the human body need oxygen to survive. In order for cells to get the oxygen they require, it must be transported via the airways that make up the respiratory system. Normally, the lungs absorb a satisfactory amount of oxygen from the room air, alone; however, some conditions and diseases can prevent enough oxygen from being absorbed by the lungs. In the majority of these situations, the airways are blocked either from mucus or a physical narrowing. This constriction prevents adequate air from reaching the alveoli, otherwise referred to as air sacs. These alveoli in the lungs are necessary to deliver the required oxygen to the cells.
Oxygen Therapy Determination
Your healthcare provider can determine if you need oxygen by measuring the quantity of oxygen in your blood stream. If oxygen levels are below critical resting levels, you most likely will need oxygen supplementation around the clock. The testing is performed in a medical setting such as a clinic, office or hospital with arterial blood gas analysis equipment. The most accurate test, to measure oxygen levels, is the arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis. In addition to arterial oxygen saturation, the arterial blood gas analysis can also measure CO2 and pH levels. Given the invasive nature or an arterial blood gas analysis, healthcare professionals often opt for the non-invasive pulse oximeter option initially. If an abnormality is apparent, after the pulse oximeter study, the healthcare provider will often order the more invasive arterial blood gas study.(1)
Defining Oxygen Therapy
The external source of oxygen is stored in a metal cylinder that can be wheeled along with the patient or carried in a back-pack or shoulder sling. The supplemental oxygen can be administered in several different ways:
- By nasal cannula, that consists of two small plastic prongs that you place in your nostrils.
- Via a face mask that covers your mouth and nose.
- From insertion of a small tube in your windpipe through a small incision in your neck made by your doctor. This is known as transtracheal oxygen therapy.
You can receive oxygen therapy in a hospital, medical environment or while at home or traveling.
What is an Oxygen Concentrator?
An oxygen concentrator is a device that mixes a high concentration of oxygen with ambient (atmospheric) room air, to supply the patient with elevated levels of breathable oxygen. Atmospheric air, at normal barometric pressures, is composed of 21% oxygen. An oxygen concentrator has a miniaturized air compressor that pressurizes and pushes this atmospheric air through a chemical filtering system known as molecular sieves. A portion of the resulting O2 is delivered to the patient while the remainder of the gas is sent back to the sieves to remove any accumulated nitrogen, thus preparing for the next cycle. The result of this process is a consistent supply of medical grade oxygen of up to 90%.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators
Stationary, as well as mobile oxygen concentrators, are available for consumer purchase. While a home-based device can be plugged into an electrical outlet, a mobile device is operated by a battery pack attached to the concentrator. Patients often opt for portable oxygen concentrators (POC) during trips outside their home or when traveling.(2)
Portable oxygen concentrators were developed decades ago, but were cumbersome and unreliable. POCs mechanically function the same way stationary concentrators do, by filtration and converting oxygen that occurs in room air into greater concentration levels. Where the difference occurs is that they are smaller in size and are more suitable for travel. They are lightweight enough to move freely and compact enough to be taken in a car, bus or plane.
There have been big strides made by manufacturers, over the course of the last decade, to improve the oxygen concentrator’s reliability. The units are now able to produce between one and six liters of oxygen per minute and can plug directly into regular residential electrical outlets. The units can also operate from batteries, which can be very useful during in-house and remote ambulation.(3)
FAA Approves the Use of POCs on Airplanes
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows many models of portable oxygen concentrators to be carried onto airplanes. The rules regarding specific models have been adopted by multiple international airlines, but passengers should check with their airline carrier, prior to flying, for information regarding rules governing POC use. The FAA maintains a list of approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators that can be viewed on its website.(4)
Two Classifications: On Demand and Continuous Flow
Over the last decade, the number of companies producing portable oxygen concentrators has increased. Prior to 2000 there were only three POCs being produced from two manufacturers. Since that time, the number has increased to more than twenty different portable units from eight different manufacturers.(5)
On-Demand Systems
Advances in design have transformed POCs from the bulky size they were previously, to the lightweight units that are no bigger than a child’s lunchbox. The reason behind this size shift can be credited to the new on-demand system. This on-demand design allows for the concentrator mechanism to be comprised of smaller components. This newer system keeps any wasted oxygen to a minimum by having the POC work in conjunction with the patient’s breathing cycle, only providing oxygen as needed.
For the most part, on-demand POCs work on settings that are consistent with a liters per minute (LPM) delivery format. The device utilizes a bolus system, which is measured in milliliters. The bolus size is calculated based on the quantity of oxygen inhaled, if the person was on a continuous flow of oxygen. That consistent amount of oxygen is then delivered during the patient’s inhalation phase of respiration. This technology removes the inefficiencies of wasted oxygen that is unnecessary during the exhalation phase.
Due to advances in technology, the boluses can be changed to a variable function based on a patient’s respiratory rate. This is significant, regarding the use of an on-demand machine while the patient is sleeping, as the patient’s respirator rate slows significantly while they are asleep. The variable bolus is able to detect slower respiratory rates and subsequently adjust the bolus, thereby offering a longer delivery time during the inhalation phase. (6)
Continuous Flow Systems
An important feature to consider when purchasing a portable concentrator is the quantity of oxygen that is delivered and the mechanism by which it is delivered. Patients will typically receive oxygen in a pulse mode, meaning air will be delivered in a puff vs. a continuous stream. Others will require a continuous flow system. Clinical studies conducted with on-demand portable oxygen concentrators have found that they are equally as effective as continuous flow oxygen concentrators.
A few of the larger portable oxygen concentrator models are capable of operating in continuous-flow mode as well as a pulse-flow mode. Continuous-flow mode is considered by providers to be safe to use while sleeping, provided it is used in conjunction with a CPAP machine.
It is important to know that on-demand or pulse-flow oxygen concentrators should not be used by patients during sleep. In addition, the on-demand unit is not suitable treatment of patients with sleep apnea who require oxygen therapy as part of their treatment protocol. Oxygen concentrators do not provide an apnea alarm and as such cannot help in this facet of sleep apnea treatment.
Present and Future Innovations for POCs
Portable oxygen concentrator units have come a long way since the ones that existed before the year 2000. Of the portable oxygen concentrators, currently marketed in the United States, they each provide a variety of dosing algorithms and oxygen production capabilities. The features and benefits noted by consumers as being most important to them in their purchasing decisions are: weight of the device, battery life, noise level, and packaging.
The market for POCs was at $242.5 million in 2012 and is expected to rise to $1.9 billion dollars by year 2019. The growth is attributable to new competitors coming into the market, demand for the lighter technology by consumers, and the need of greater mobility support for the elderly. The competition is expected to drive innovation, resulting in lighter units and lower prices.(7)
There are a number of medical insurance carriers, including Medicare, that covers up to 80% of the cost of oxygen therapy equipment.
Portable oxygen concentrators are similar to any new technology that is introduced to the market and extended battery life is one of the areas that researchers are working to improve. Current POCs maintain a battery life of 3-8 hours, depending on the individual patients’ liter flow settings. Developers are also working towards a silent compressor motor, allowing for minimal noise pollution in confined spaces.
Aesthetics are also being taken into consideration by manufacturers. Providing a cosmetically acceptable product has become of greater significance, since the units have become more portable. By enhancing performance features, manufacturers have enabled recent designs to be more durable and able to maintain oxygen saturation better.
Case Study: Toddler Use of a Portable Oxygen Concentrator
This case study illustrates the importance of the POC being as lightweight as possible. One of the most significant factors, when deciding which POC to purchase, is how easy it is to ambulate with the device.
Alida is a young oxygen patient that has a rare lung condition, causing her to need supplemental oxygen. It’s very challenging for an adult to use a POC, so you can understand how hard it is for Alida, who is only 3 years old.
Alida’s family was able to come up with a way to help her that was both touching and brilliant: they brought home a service dog to follow her around and carry her portable oxygen tanks while she plays. The size and weight of Alida’s unit was obviously a factor, given that her service dog would be the one carrying it. Alida’s family was able to purchase a small device that allowed her to ambulate at will and didn’t produce undo physical strain on her service dog. The child’s prognosis is expected to get better as she grows, but in the interim, a compact oxygen source is changing the way Alida lives her life.
References
1. American Thoracic Society: Why Do I Need Oxygen Therapy?
2. National Institutes of Health: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. .
3. Oxygen Concentrator Store: Oxygen Concentrators Work.
4. Federal Aviation Administration: FAA Approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators – Positive Testing Results.
5. Consumer Ratings and Reports for Oxygen Concentrators. The Rise of Portable Concentrator Manufacturers..
6. McCoy, Robert. Portable Oxygen Concentrators’ Performance Variables that Affect Therapy. Research. August 2012.
7. Reportsnreports.com Portable Oxygen Concentrator: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2013-2019. WinterGreen Research. July, 2013.
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/
Hey Scott,
I appreciate you having this site for Copd patients. I will keep this short and get right to the point. Right now I have an Inogen 3 I believe, which goes to 5 litre flow rate. I have tried the new inogen which didn’t seem to help me much, in the fact that I need 6-7 litres at mild activity maybe walking to my car from the house. apx. 50 feet.Ultimately, I would like to either fly or drive to a destination of apx. 900 miles. My question is this Scott……Is there a portable in design or at any stage of development?? Thank you for your response!! ………..Ted
Hello Ted,
Since you have mentioned you are using Inogen G3, I believe that you are using oxygen at a setting of 5 (not 5 liters/minute). In pulse dose mode, oxygen output is measured in terms of settings rather than liter/minute. Continuous flow oxygen concentrators use ‘liter/minute’ to measure oxygen output.
Considering that you are on pulse dose mode, the unit powerful than Inogen G3 is Inogen G5 which can supply oxygen at up to a setting of 6. If you looking into other brands, SeQual Eclipse 5 is the most powerful portable oxygen concentrator which can supply oxygen at up to a setting of 9 on pulse-dose mode and 3 liters per minute on continuous flow mode.
Our Oxygen Specialists would be happy to understand your requirements and advise the way forward. Please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.