Philips’ Respironics SimplyFlo Home Concentrator is the most compact and lightweight stationary oxygen concentrator available on the market. With a 2 liter per minute (LPM) continuous flow supply of oxygen, fewer than 9 pounds (4.1 kilograms) of weight, and very small dimensions, it is perfect for a patient who travels frequently or wants to maintain an active lifestyle without compromising his or her oxygen therapy.
It represents the middle ground between full-size home oxygen concentrators and fully portable ones. It has much smaller dimensions and weight than the former, but unlike the latter, it still requires an external power source to work. As the manufacturer states, it is best suited for overnight use as an alternative to the large, intimidating oxygen concentrators that cause many patients to reject oxygen therapy.
SimplyFlo Highlights:
1. Light and compact: Low weight and small dimensions make it easy to transport and use.
2. Powerful: No compromises were made when scaling it down, as the concentrator offers similar performance to its larger counterparts.
3. Silent and efficient: Generates less than 50 dB of noise and consumes just 120W at maximum settings.
Dimensions, Weight, and Design
The Respironics SimplyFlo was designed with portability and ease of use in mind. The concentrator’s inner mechanisms are contained within a durable plastic shell measuring 11.5″ x 10″ x 6″ (29.2 cm x 25.4 cm x 15.2 cm), with an integrated comfortable carrying handle that allows easy carrying by hand. This is also made possible by the unit’s excessively low weight: Compared to the typical home concentrator’s 30 pounds (13.5 kg), the SimplyFlo weighs just about 9 lbs. (4.1 kg), allowing for it to be carried with ease by anyone.
The jet-black shell is simple and elegant in appearance, making the concentrator fit in virtually any environment but maintain a low profile. The sleek design also applies to the controls, which are built into a single panel beneath the carrying handle and includes a backlit liquid crystal display, control buttons, and the on/off switch. The oxygen outlet is situated right next to them, allowing for a quick setup and dis-assembly of the concentrator.
When put together, these features make it an excellent choice for anyone requiring oxygen therapy, but unwilling to compromise their active lifestyle or mobility. As the name suggests, SimplyFlo allows you to simply pick it up and move it around at home, at work, or when traveling.
Oxygen Supply:
The unit is designed for continuous flow oxygen supply, rather than pulse flow. Four settings are available: 0.5, 1 and 1.5, and the aforementioned 2 LPM. The output of the concentrator can be modified to vary by 15% or 150ml/min either way. At all settings, the unit will offer oxygen at a concentration of 87% at minimum to 96% at maximum, for as long as the unit is used within the specified operating parameters. Oxygen is supplied at a maximum pressure of 6.4 PSIG at the outlet.
For protection against contaminants, the unit features a built-in gross particle air inlet filter and an additional main-flow bacteria filter. Both are designed for longevity and require a replacement every two years.
At this point, it’s natural to be concerned about any potential catches. After all, if it’s designed to be small, compact, and powerful, surely there’s some trade-off like the noise generated? If you are indeed worried about that, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. At maximum settings, the SimplyFlo generates only 50 dB of noise, comparable to a quiet suburb or a regular conversation at home. This makes it excellent for nighttime use without disturbing your sleep or anyone else’s. Lower LPM settings will reduce the noise generated even further.
Operating Conditions and Environmental Resistance:
The design is characterized as durable and it’s no idle boast. The concentrator is built in a way that allows it to operate at a temperature range from 41°F (5°C) up to 122°F (50°C) without loss in the volume or concentration of oxygen delivered. The same applies to the humidity it is capable of tolerating; it will operate in an environment of relative humidity from as low as 15% to as much as 95%. Of course, this doesn’t apply to just sea level. The SimplyFlo is powerful enough to work at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet, making it useful even in the mountains!
Naturally, the sturdy, reliable design also allows for the concentrator to be stored in a variety of conditions without causing damage to the unit. When powered down and dismantled, it will withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) and as high as 60°C (140°F) without damage. The only requirement is that humidity be kept low enough to avoid condensation. While it can withstand a 95% humidity in storage, water will cause damage to the delicate electronics contained within and ruin the device.
If the device is powered on, but runs the risk of permanent damage or some other technical issue manifests, it will activate an alert. Instances include a system technical fault, power loss, no oxygen flow, or purity below the specified parameters.
Power Requirements:
The SimplyFlo packs a lot of power in a compact package, but does it result in a hefty power bill? Not at all. The maximum power consumption is 120 watts, which might seem like a lot until you compare it to full-size home oxygen concentrators, which frequently consume twice as much power or even more. As such, if you don’t need a concentrator with more than a 2 LPM output, the SimplyFlo is one of the most energy-efficient options out there, especially in an increasingly energy-starved economy.
The one disadvantage of the powerful design is that the concentrator’s power adapter will only work with an input from 100 to 240 VAC, at 50/60 Hz, and a maximum of 1.7 A. The output needed for the unit to work is 19 VFC and 7.9 A max. This precludes it from being used in cars, which only provide 12V outlets; traveling by train or plane should pose no problems, however, as long as they feature regular power outlets.
SimplyFlo Video Summary
Bottom Line:
The SimplyFlo is simply an excellent oxygen concentrator. If you require no more than 2 LPM and have access to an AC power supply, this is a solid choice for your oxygen therapy needs. The unit comes with a three-year standard warranty, manual, AC power cord, and free nasal cannula.
Carrying cases specifically made for the SimplyFlo are available, alongside additional travel accessory cases. For ease of transport, the case is provided with wheels and a collapsible handle. The rigid, rugged material provides excellent protection from accidental collisions and environmental factors, doubling as a perfect storage case whenever the concentrator is not in use.
