All you need to know about portable oxygen concentrators

Portable oxygen has been made possible with the use of portable oxygen concentrator (POC), which is a device that is used by people who need greater level or concentration of oxygen than other people. POC is smaller than home oxygen concentrator and can be easily moved around places.

Read on to know more about POC.

Who needs portable oxygen concentrator?

There are different types of problems that require people to take help of portable oxygen concentrator.

• Asthma – People who face situations or conditions where their airways become inflamed and get filled by mucus, thus making breathing a difficult or an impossible task.
• Pneumonia or infection in the lungs – In this casen an infection causes inflammation in the air sacs of both the lungs and/or air sacs of both lungs filled with fluid.
• Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) – Newborn babies often suffer from this syndrome. RDS is seen in premature babies more than in normal babies.
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) – Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) usually leads to BPD in babies. This is a serious condition where the lungs are affected, and the patient needs portable oxygen for long-term support.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – Most people in the country are diagnosed with this disease, and they have to take help of portable oxygen as there is no cure for the same.
• Cystic fibrosis – POC is required in cystic fibrosis disorder as it is life threatening as it causes damage to the lungs and digestive system.
• Sleep Apnea – Person suffering from sleep apnea suddenly stops breathing in the middle of his or her sleep making it important to take the help of portable oxygen.

Which brands manufacture portable oxygen concentrators?

Some of the popular brands in portable oxygen concentrators are as follows:

• AirSep
• Philips Respironics
• Invacare Corporation
• DeVilbiss Healthcare
• Nidek Medical
• Sequal Technologies
• Inogen

What is the cost of portable oxygen concentrators?

• Purchasing portable oxygen concentrators is cheaper than renting one. It is a good investment as the patient needs it for a longer time.
• If you buy one instead of renting, you pay $560 for a single analyzer, plus $620 per oxygen concentrator and $30 for replacing the filters per oxygen concentrator.
• If you rent a portable oxygen concentrator, you pay $840 per unit every year for as long as you use it.
• Renting costs more as the rent is not low and it is a recurring cost
• Buying is a one-time investment with no recurring cost and more saving as compared to renting.

What are the other uses of portable oxygen concentrators?

• It improves the blood circulation
• It helps increasing concentration
• Improved blood circulation and concentration helps with improved and increased memory
• These concentrators improve energy and stamina
• Betters mood and sleep
• Helps in relieving temporary altitude discomfort

What are the features in the latest portable oxygen concentrators?

Innovation is never limited to luxury products. There is innovation everywhere especially in medical equipment as that helps patients go through with their life with much easy. Here are the features you will find in new portable oxygen concentrators.

• Audible and visual alarms
• Alarms that measure low oxygen purity
• Measuring unit for overheating and
• Low battery life along with other issues
• More portable POC
• Longer battery life

Are there types of portable oxygen?

There are many different types of oxygen delivery methods, such as:

• Portable oxygen concentrators
• Stationary oxygen concentrators
• Compressed gas cylinders
• Liquid oxygen

There are pros and cons of each of these oxygen delivery methods, and any one of these should be chosen based on the disease a person has and the advice given by the doctor.