How to choose the Portable Oxygen Concentrator that is right for you?

Portable Oxygen Concentrator ’s are wonderful for those that are on the go.  Depending on what you are planning on using your POC for will help you in deciding which one will be best for you.

There are two main types of Portable Oxygen Concentrators. A continuous flow unit, means that oxygen is constantly streaming out whether you are inhaling or exhaling. A pulse flow unit detects when you are inhaling and only dispenses oxygen at that time.

You might need a Continuous flow unit, if you are frequently traveling and you require oxygen at night for sleep. There are three main units we recommend for continuous flow. The SeQual Eclipse 3, Invacare Solo 2 and the Oxlife Independence. Continuous flow units can also be set to pulse dose as needed.

A Pulse Dose unit are great for those looking to get out and about during the day. For example, visiting the doctor’s office, movies, church, etc. The machine sense you are going to take a breath and it gives a burst of oxygen when you inhale, preventing wasted oxygen when you are exhaling. A Portable Oxygen Concentrator that is only capable of the Pulse Dose function, is going to be the lightest units available which makes them the most convenient.

The two Pulse Dose Oxygen Concentrators that we recommend are the Respironics Evergo and the Invacare XPO2.

The Continuous Flow machines are listed below in no particular order:

SeQual Eclipse 3 provides continuous flow 1-3 LPM or Pulse Flow 1-6 LPM.  It weighs 18.4 lbs and it is a on a cart with wheels for pulling.  The battery will last 5.2 hours on a pulse setting of 2 LPM or 2 hours on a continuous flow setting of 2 LPM.

Invacare Solo 2 provides continuous flow 1-3 LPM or Pulse Flow 1-5 LPM.  It weighs 20 lbs and it is a on a cart with wheels for pulling.  The battery will last 4.5 hours on a pulse setting of 2 LPM, 2.6 hours on a continuous flow setting of 2 LPM or 1.35 hours on a continuous flow setting of 3 LPM.

OxLife Independence provides continuous flow 1-3 LPM or Pulse Flow 1-6 LPM.  It weighs ____ lbs and it has an integrated cart with wheels for pulling. The battery will last______

The Pulse Dose machines are listed below in no particular order:

Respironics EverGo provides the oxygen delivery on pulse dose settings 1-6 in .5 increments.  This unit comes with 2 removable batteries that are easy to access.  The weight with one battery installed is 8.5 lbs or 10 lbs with both batteries.  One battery will last 4 hours on a pulse setting of 2. Installing both batteries naturally doubles the operating time.  This machine has a shoulder strap for carrying and it also comes standard with a rolling cart for longer distances or if the weight was too much.

Invacare XPO2 provides the oxygen delivery on pulse dose settings 1-5.  This unit has an internal battery and you can also buy with the option of an additional external supplemental battery.  The weight with the internal battery alone is 6 lbs or if you have the supplemental battery attached it will be 7.3 lbs.  One battery will last approx. 2.5 hours on a pulse setting of 2.  If you have the supplemental battery attached, on a setting of 2 pulse your battery life will be approx. 5 hours.  This unit only has a shoulder strap in the basic package but if a cart is needed there is an optional rolling cart for this unit.

Portable Oxygen Concentrators are a wonderful way to be able to regain your freedom and allow you to travel and or just get out and about for the day.  If you have further questions please do not hesitate to call one of our Oxygen Specialists and they will be happy to assist you in choosing the Portable Oxygen Concentrator that is right for you!

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