Pulse vs. Continuous Flow

Pulse vs. Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrators

When you’re first prescribed oxygen by your doctor, you will likely discuss the various options available to fit your needs. One of the first determining factors in starting oxygen therapy is figuring out if you’ll need a pulse or continuous-flow oxygen unit. Perhaps you’ve heard your doctor use the phrase “pulse” and “continuous flow” but do you really understand what it means? How does it correlate with machine pulse-dose settings? What’s the difference between the two? Which one is right for you? Let’s explore the differences below:
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User Question: Why Do I Need a Prescription to Buy a Concentrator?

Customer Question: Why Do I Need a Prescription to Buy an Oxygen Concentrator?

To purchase an oxygen concentrator, you do need a prescription from your doctor, stating your oxygen level. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) makes the rules about prescription sales, and at this time, oxygen concentrators are one of the medical devices for which the FDA requires a prescription. This is to ensure proper care has been taken in selling you an oxygen machine that is appropriate for your needs, and a prescription is the only evidence we have of exactly what those needs are.

The oxygen machine you purchase and use is also largely determined by your prescription, and that’s why you may have completely different needs from your friend who also uses supplemental oxygen, even if you both have the respiratory condition. Several important health indicators factor into a prescription for supplemental oxygen that results from a pulse oximetry test and arterial blood gas test.

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The Quietest of the Quiet – Whisper Quiet Oxygen Concentrators

The Quietest of the Quiet – Whisper Quiet Oxygen Concentrators

One of the important things many people consider when purchasing an oxygen concentrator is how much noise it will make. You don’t want to bother anyone or want your oxygen concentrator to be an inconvenience while you do things like watch TV, read a book, have a conversation with someone, go out for a movie, or sleep if you need to use your oxygen machine while you sleep.

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Audible Alerts and Visible Signs for the CAIRE Freestyle Comfort

Audible Alerts and Visible Signs for the CAIRE Freestyle Comfort

The CAIRE Freestyle Comfort Portable Concentrator comes equipped with audible alerts and visible signals that help inform you of the current status of the device’s operation. To maintain optimal performance, it’s best to adhere to any alerts and messages displayed on your device and respond accordingly. This may require a charge of your battery, a replacement of parts, or you may need to contact your equipment provider for further instructions.
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Affordable Portable Oxygen Concentrators for Users on a Budget

Affordable Portable Concentrators for Users on a Budget

Portable oxygen concentrators are sophisticated electronic machines and medical equipment, which filter the air around you into highly concentrated oxygen that you can breathe. Because of this reason, most oxygen concentrators in general aren’t cheap. Portable oxygen concentrators cost even more, because they need to be able to house and run off of a battery while going mobile.

There are certain models that are less expensive than others – not because they are inferior or because they don’t have the best features or the high settings. Here are three of the best of the affordable portable oxygen concentrator models on the market today.

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Summary of Oxygen Concentrator Liter Flows

A Guide to Oxygen Concentrator Liter Flows

The oxygen provided by home and portable concentrators can be dispensed in one of two ways, commonly referred to as either Continuous Flow or Pulse Flow delivery. Both of these oxygen delivery methods provide medical-grade oxygen directly to the user; however, the dosage is measured differently for each method of oxygen flow. Below we will contrast the two oxygen delivery methods and highlight the devices that feature them, this will help you and your physician determine what type of oxygen delivery is best suited for your lifestyle and oxygen requirements.

Continuous flow oxygen flows without interruption from the cannula and only stops when the concentrator is turned off. These continuous flow concentrators will deliver the same amount of oxygen through the cannula regardless of the patients breathing patterns. This type of oxygen delivery allows the flow rate to be measured at a constant volume of LPM (liters per minute).

Pulse dose oxygen concentrators are engineered to dispense oxygen when the machine senses inhalation. A “pulse” dose of oxygen, referred to as a “bolus”, is triggered and released when a patient inhales through a cannula. Pulse dose oxygen machines have “settings” that indicate how much oxygen is dispensed each minute. The amount (milliliters) of oxygen received by the patient (in a minute) will vary with the manufacturer, the setting, and the patient’s breathing (inhalation) rate. The size of the bolus of oxygen dispensed increases when the settings are increased.

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Taking Care of your Oxygen Concentrator in the Summer

Taking Care of your Oxygen Concentrator in the Summer

If you have breathing difficulties, you know that the summer brings some complications: high humidity and extreme heat can exacerbate conditions such as COPD. In fact, one study showed a strong association between weather-related heat and emergency hospitalizations related to respiratory distress, meaning that those who suffer from these conditions must take even better care of themselves when the temperatures rise.

In addition to taking care of themselves, though, they need to take care of their oxygen concentrators. Units aren’t made to withstand extreme heat, so it’s important to ensure you’re keeping it safe along with yourself.

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What is the Average Lifespan of a Oxygen Concentrator?

What is the Average Lifespan of a Oxygen Concentrator?

Portable and stationary oxygen concentrators provide oxygen therapy at home and on the go, which is why they’re built to last. Lifespans of oxygen concentrators vary, depending on several factors: how often you use your concentrator, whether you purchase your unit new or used, the manufacturer and your specific model, how frequently you service your unit and how well you maintain your concentrator.

In general, portable oxygen concentrators last 4-7 years or more when the unit is well maintained. Refer to your user’s manual for more detailed information on your specific device.

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