Pulse-Dose Oxygen Concentrator Buying Guide
Pulse-dose portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) deliver a bolus, also called a dose, of oxygen each time you inhale. One notable benefit of pulse-dose POCs is their size; they’re often extremely portable and lightweight, perfect for active people who require oxygen therapy.Pulse-dose POCs differ from continuous-flow home oxygen concentrators (HOCs) that deliver a constant flow of oxygen, measured in liters per minute. Also, unlike HOCs, portable pulse-dose units can run for hours on a battery, depending on the unit.
POCs differ in their weight, oxygen output, sizes, and other features. If you’re looking for a pulse-dose POC, this guide will tell you what you need to know and help you compare some of the most reliable POCs on the market.
How do Pulse-Dose Oxygen Concentrators work?
Pulse-dose oxygen concentrators work by drawing in surrounding air and filtering out nitrogen and other gases.Room air consists of about 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, and trace amounts of other gases. Removing the other gases leaves a high concentration of medical-grade oxygen to breathe in through a nasal cannula each time you inhale.
Prescriptions for Pulse-Dose Oxygen Therapy
Unlike oxygen tanks with a limited amount of oxygen, concentrators work by drawing in the air surrounding the machine, filtering the air, and removing nitrogen and other gases. What's left after this process is around 90 percent pure oxygen delivered to you via nasal cannula or mask.With continuous flow oxygen delivery, the machine delivers a constant flow of oxygen, measured in liters per minute. Continuous flow concentrators are often more suitable than pulse dose machines for patients with higher oxygen demands.
Please note that if a machine offers about 90 percent pure oxygen, this does not mean you're breathing in 90 percent oxygen. How much oxygen you're inhaling depends on factors like flow settings, respiratory rate, and how deeply you breathe. If interested, read more about oxygen percentages here.
Prescriptions for Oxygen Concentrators
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers oxygen concentrators medical devices. Therefore, purchasing and using one requires a prescription. If you don’t already have a prescription, get one from your doctor before choosing a POC. Also, it’s essential to understand your oxygen prescription so you can select the unit most suitable for your needs.Talk with your doctor about your oxygen requirements before choosing a POC. Your doctor can help you choose the right one and help you determine which flow setting meets your oxygen demands.
Please note: The amount of oxygen delivered with pulse-dose concentrators varies between manufacturers and models, so it’s essential to work with a healthcare provider when choosing one. For example, a pulse-dose setting of 2 on one unit might deliver a different bolus size than a pulse-dose setting of 2 on another.
Features to Look for in a Pulse-Dose Oxygen Concentrator
Manufacturers design POCs differently, and each unit provides unique features. Before shopping around for your POC, decide which features are the most important to you. Ask yourself these questions:- How much oxygen do I require, and will this POC meet my needs?
- What is the unit’s weight, and is it light enough for me to carry?
- How long is the battery life?
- Does the unit operate quietly?
- Is the POC designed for 24/7 use, and can I use it while I sleep?
Top POCs Pulse-Dose Oxygen Concentrators
CAIRE Freestyle Comfort
The CAIRE Freestyle Comfort ranks as one of the best wearable portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) because of its lightweight and ergonomic body-hugging design. At only five pounds, this POC makes an ideal choice for anyone who uses oxygen therapy while living an active life.CAIRE Comfort Features:
- Pulse-Dose Flow Settings: 1-5
- Maximum Oxygen Output: 1,050
- Oxygen Purity: 87-95.5%
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.3" wide x 3.1" deep x 10" high (with an 8-cell battery)
- FAA-approved: Yes
- Warranty: 3-year warranty on the unit and sieve beds, 1-year on the battery and accessories
- Battery duration: Up to 8 hours with an 8-cell battery & up to 16 hours with a 16-cell battery (on a pulse-dose flow setting of 1)
- Noise Level: 39 decibels (on a flow setting of 2), quieter than a library
- The Comfort unit
- User's manual
- AC and DC power adapter
- Accessory bag
- One 8 -cell battery
- Carrying bag
- Nasal cannula
Inogen One G4
Designed by Inogen, a leading manufacturer of oxygen concentrators, the Inogen One G4 provides three pulse-dose settings of oxygen therapy on the go. At less than three pounds, you can easily wear this POC during your daytime activities. It’s also designed for 24/7 use.One notable feature is Inogen’s Intelligent Delivery Technology, which detects a breath and delivers oxygen within the first 400 milliseconds of inhalation; this timing provides a bolus of oxygen when the most gas exchange occurs in the lungs.
G4 Features:
- Pulse-Dose Flow Settings: 1-3
- Weight: 2.8 pounds with a single battery
- Dimensions: 5.91" wide x 2.68" long x 7.2" high (with single battery)
- FAA-Approved: Yes
- Warranty: 3-year standard warranty
- Battery Duration: Up to 5 hours with an extended battery
- Noise Level: 40 decibels, about the same as a quiet library
- The G4 unit
- Small battery
- AC and DC power supply
- Carry bag and strap
- Nasal cannula
- User's manual
Inogen One G5
Designed for 24/7 use, this powerful POC provides six flow settings of oxygen and up to 6.5 hours of battery life with a single battery. Operating at 38 decibels on a setting of two, the Inogen One G5 is quiet enough to not disturb anyone around you. Mobile device users can connect to Inogen's mobile app to monitor their POC from an Apple or Android device.G4 Features:
- Pulse-Dose Flow Settings: 1-6
- Maximum Oxygen Output: 1,260 ml per minute
- Oxygen Purity: 87-96% on all flow settings
- Weight: 4.7 pounds with a single battery
- Dimensions: 7.19" wide x 3.26" long x 8.15" high (with a single battery)
- FAA-Approved: Yes
- Warranty: 3-year standard warranty on the unit; 1-year warranty on the sieve bed and accessories
- Battery Duration: Up to 4 hours with a single battery; up to 8 hours with a double battery
- Noise Level: 39 decibels on a setting of 2; maximum 58 decibels
- The G5 unit
- Small battery
- AC and DC power supply
- Carry bag
- Nasal cannula
- User's manual
Philips Respironics SimplyGO Mini
Manufactured by a leader in the respiratory market, the Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini provides a reliable, durable, and portable solution to anyone looking for all-day oxygen therapy on the go. Weighing only five pounds with a standard battery, this unit is easy to carry around and was tested to ensure that it can withstand extreme vibrations, impacts, and temperatures.G4 Features:
- Pulse-Dose Flow Settings: 1-5
- Maximum Oxygen Output: 1,000 ml per minute (1 lpm)
- Oxygen Purity: 87% on all flow settings, maximum 96%
- Weight: 5 pounds with a standard battery; 6 pounds with an extended battery
- Dimensions: 8.3" wide x 3.6" deep x 9.4" high (with standard battery)
- FAA-Approved: Yes
- Warranty: 3-year standard warranty on the unit; 90-day on accessories
- Battery Duration: Up to 4.5 with a standard battery; up to 9 hours with an extended battery (pulse-dose setting of 2)
- Noise Level: 43 decibels (setting of 2), about the same as a refrigerator humming
- The SimplyGo Mini unit
- Standard battery
- AC and DC power supply
- Carry case
- Shoulder and hand straps
- Accessory bag
- Nasal cannula
- User's manual
Updated: December 5, 2023