A portable oxygen concentrators has become a "must" for the many people with COPD and who have need to receive supplemental oxygen. At the same time this type of machine is also a godsend for those who assist or live with them.

For both the patient and the caretaker, a lack of oxygen saturation is difficult - the patient has to live with either a shortness of breath and all that this entails, or must receive extra oxygen. Those who assist, and this could be a family member or someone from the medical profession, must also provide help and to do so must know their way around the oxygen machine, in this case a portable oxygen concentrator.

There are some basic differences between an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen tank (either liquid or compressed oxygen) that make for a different approach.

1. A portable oxygen concentrator extracts oxygen from the surrounding air. It then delivers the oxygen in a concentrated form, to the patient. An oxygen tank delivers oxygen to the patient from its reservoir or stored oxygen. The basic difference has to do with storage. A tank holds or stores oxygen while a concentrator does not - it delivers the oxygen as it extracts it.
2. The difference between a stored and non stored oxygen system has another implication. A tank will deliver the amount of oxygen it stores. The tanks capacity will depend on its size basically and the oxygen will last a limited time - how much exactly will depend on how full the tank is and the delivery rate. For a portable oxygen concentrator, the delivery will last as long as the machine is turned on.
3. The next difference also follows on from the previous one. A tank or cylinder that holds oxygen, both compressed or liquid, will deliver oxygen at a certain adjustable rate, based on the pressure being released from the tank. In other words it does not require an additional power source to deliver the oxygen. A portable oxygen concentrator on the other hand delivers the oxygen it is extracting from the air around it and this extraction is possible thanks to its power source that makes the extraction mechanism work. Electricity - be it from a battery or as a result of being plugged in. Portable oxygen concentrators use rechargeable batteries which increases dramatically its possibilities for oxygen delivery and by being plugged in, where many models can also be connected to the car lighter socket for example.

These three basic differences may appear small in nature but in reality are the reason why portable oxygen concentrators have not only become so popular but have also increased the amount and type of activities COPD patients are enjoying. From the point of view of caretakers - especially family members - they are experiencing less demands and have therefore less stress.

In short:

• Longer oxygen supply. Even when not plugged in, the battery option which can go from 2 hours onwards depending on the flow rate and the battery capacity. But with a change of battery the whole cycle begins again.
• The relationship between weight and amount of oxygen that is stored is no longer an issue.
• There is no need for a refill - this being one of the logistic problems and limitations that used happen to everyone on supplemental oxygen before the arrival of portable oxygen concentrators.
• Size and shape make these machines more portable.
• Travel, short distances, long distances or the equivalent in time intervals is much easier. This ease of travel is due to the durability of the oxygen supply and also because public carriers (airplanes, trains and buses) have less restraints than they do for oxygen containers.

By Philip Robinson

I think Eclipse 2 is another Useful Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Its easy to used and easy to carry it.

When you were first diagnosed with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it may not have come as a great shock. You've known that something has been wrong for a long time. Chores around the house left you winded and gasping for air. You could no longer walk the two blocks to work because you couldn't breathe at the end of the walk. You couldn't even lie down to sleep any more. You had to sleep in a chair because you couldn't breathe otherwise.

The only difference after your diagnosis is that now your chronic breathing problems have a name. And once the problem has been named, you know it is not going away.

You've got a million questions running in your mind, but they all boil down to one thing: What now?

What happens with your life now?

You've seen the regimen that your doctor has prescribed for you, which includes oxygen therapy. Fortunately, with portable oxygen concentrators, it's a lot easier for COPD patients to continue many of their favorite activities without worrying about whether they'll be able to breathe.

Once you have established your regimen with your doctor, it's time to consider portable oxygen concentrator options. What kind would be best for you?

FreeStyle by AirSep

This is one portable oxygen concentrator made specifically for very active COPD patients. It weighs 5 pounds and comes with a shoulder strap for easy carrying. It works on a pulse system, which means that you are delivered oxygen as you breathe. If you do well with a pulse system, you can do just about anything you want without having to travel around with a full-sized tank all the time.

The FreeStyle also comes with a battery belt, which helps it last about three times longer than normal, and a car charger, so you can recharge the batteries on the go.

Eclipse by SeQual

If it's not possible to carry around 5 pounds for an extended period of time, look for a portable oxygen concentrators like the Eclipse. Though it's a bit heavier than the FreeStyle, it comes with a small cart that makes it very easy to tote around. It also has one rechargeable battery that you can charge in your car.

Instead of a pulse only system, the Eclipse includes a continuous flow delivery option, which means that oxygen delivery isn't dependent on the user's breathing patterns. If you've had trouble with a pulse system, try a portable oxygen concentrator with a continuous flow delivery option.

General tips for living with COPD

1) Religiously follow the oxygen and medication regimen that you doctor gives you. Don't stop or change your dosage without first consulting your doctor. Learn the purposes of all the medications that you take. This will make you a more educated patient, and you'll be able to work with your doctor to find an optimal dosage for you.

2) Quit smoking! Chances are that smoking will undo many of the benefits that your physician has prescribed, and it will make your COPD worse. If that weren't enough, oxygen is also an accelerant. Though it is not flammable, it makes fire burn faster and longer. With oxygen in your house, you greatly increase the chance of a lit cigarette starting a destructive fire in your home.

3) Get involved in a weekly support group. Dealing with a chronic illness is difficult, both physically and emotionally. A support group will help you cope with the emotions and remind you that you are not alone. Bring your family to a couple of the group meetings, and remember to stay positive.

A COPD diagnosis is not a death sentence, nor is it untreatable. By choosing the right portable oxygen concentrator, and correctly following the regimen your doctor has prescribed, you can slow or even reverse the effects of COPD. With proper exercise, a healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude, you can continue to live a happy, productive life.

By Rick Trujillo

Whether you're the one who uses oxygen or you need to help someone else with their oxygen needs, portable oxygen concentrators can make your life a lot easier. By adding convenience to this necessary supply, you don't have to be homebound or the patient doesn't need to stay at home in order to get their oxygen requirements. There several things which make a portable oxygen tank easier on everyone – the weight, the design, and the ease of use. Here's what you should know before you choose the right one for you or for someone you love.

The Weight of the Matter

First of all, a portable oxygen tank doesn't have to be made out of a heavy material to be safe to use and to operate. In fact, some of the newer models now are made out of aluminum, which is not only environmentally friendly, but also far lighter than older models. These portable oxygen tanks are simple enough for anyone to carry, which makes them simpler to place into the car or into a backpack, if you like. You can even carry more than one tank at a time, helping you ensure that you have plenty of backup oxygen on hand, should you need it. This is especially important when you are traveling or when you are getting onto a plane.

Shape Counts Too

Of course, if a portable oxygen tank is large, this is be hard to fit through doors and other cramped spaces. This is why more portable oxygen tanks today are being shaped into a thin cylinder instead of a large tube-like shape. These are easy to fit into holders on a wheelchair or in a backpack, while also making it easier to maneuver and to handle. These oxygen tanks can then be placed into even the smallest of cars or on planes without interrupting anyone else's space. The cylinder shape also helps because you can find these tanks in large and small sizes, making them perfect for any situation when you might need oxygen on the go.

When It's Easy to Operate, It's Easy on You

If a portable oxygen tank is hard to operate, you will definitely not be using it as well as you could. The smaller portable oxygen tanks are simpler to operate as they were meant to be used on the go, so nearly anyone should be able to use these tanks, replace these tanks, and monitor their oxygen levels. The regulator should be easy to read and the tubing should be simple to attach to the main valve. You should also check to make sure the knob to turn on the oxygen flow is simple to turn.

Portable oxygen tanks are becoming the mainstay for those who have a need for oxygen. No longer having to be housebound is a tremendous benefit to this portable oxygen tank design, but being able to continue the healthy flow of oxygen is the most important benefit of all for you or for your loved one.

Submitted By: Gary Gordon

When a doctor prescribes oxygen therapy for a patient, the patient often feels like their freedom is inhibited and finds it difficult to enjoy a lifestyle they had grown accustomed to. Since airlines do not permit the use of oxygen tanks, patients who are used to frequent travel find themselves in need of a portable oxygen concentrator.

Portable oxygen concentrators are not cheap; often costing up to five thousand dollars depending on the features the patient needs, they are considered to be a large purchase. But with so many different models available, such as the Respironics EverGo, Sequal Eclipse 2, and Invacare XPO2, how does one decide which one will be the best portable oxygen concentrator for their own personal needs?

Pulse vs. Continuous Flow

The most important feature to consider when purchasing a portable concentrator is how much oxygen is delivered and how it is delivered. Typically patients receive oxygen in pulse mode, meaning that the air is delivered in puffs as opposed to a continuous stream. The Respironics EverGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator delivers more oxygen in pulse mode than any other model - up to 1.05 liters of oxygen per minute. Easy to use touch screen controls allow the user to easily adjust the settings as needed while the over-the-shoulder bag and rolling cart make transportation of the device easy.

Many patients who require oxygen be delivered in a continuous flow have found themselves unable to travel because of their breathing needs. The Sequal Eclipse 2 gives those patients the freedom to travel by being the only portable oxygen concentrator to offer oxygen in both pulse and continuous flow settings. Heavier and bulkier than most of its competitors, the Sequal Eclipse 2 includes a lightweight cart for easy transportation. Best off all, because of its ability to run on AC power and the continuous flow oxygen delivery mode, the Sequal Eclipse 2 can be used for both travel and in the home, eliminating the need for oxygen tanks or bulky home concentrators.

O2 Concentrators for Airline Travel

For those who prefer to travel by airplane, it is best to choose a portable oxygen concentrator that is not only FAA approved for air travel, but offers enough battery power to last through a long flight or a possible flight delay and can handle the thin oxygen in airplane passenger compartments.

Airline cabins are typically pressurized to simulate oxygen levels found at 8000 feet above sea level. The Sequal Eclipse 2 and the Respironics EverGo portable oxygen concentrators, both of which are FAA approved, are designed to function at altitudes of 8000 feet or more, which enables the user to still get the amount of oxygen they need throughout the flight. This ability also makes them ideal for visiting places with higher elevations. The Respironics Evergo, however, offers longer battery life than the Sequal Eclipse 2 (up to 8 hours with two batteries installed). When planning for an airline trip, keep in mind that most airlines require that passengers carrying portable oxygen concentrators have enough batteries for twice the duration of the flight, as well as one extra battery.

The Inogen One oxygen concentrator, while the first of its kind to receive FAA approval, pales in comparison to the Respironics EverGo and the Sequal Eclipse 2. Not only does it not offer any advantage as far as size, but the battery life is less than either of the other two as well. Most importantly, the Inogen One is only designed to operate at altitudes of up to 4000 feet, making it unsuitable for air travel despite its claims that it was designed for airline use. Using the Inogen One aboard an airplane can result in lack of suitable oxygen for patients and pains in the chest and lungs.

Overall Size and Portability

If you're going to be traveling with an oxygen concentrator, obviously you want most lightweight, compact unit available that is going to give you the performance that you need. The Sequal Eclipse 2 is significantly larger than its competitors, but this can be attributed to Sequal's ability to provide oxygen in a continuous flow. It does, however, include a cart to eliminate the need to carry the unit, and also offers the optional Eclipse Pak Accessory Bag which attaches to the cart and can hold extra batteries, chargers, and other accessories.

The Respironics EverGo is lightweight and includes both a shoulder bag and a rolling cart. The batteries used in the EverGo are slim in design and similar to the batteries used in laptop computers. Weighing approximately ten pounds with two batteries installed, the EverGo can be carried over the shoulder when boarding airplanes and is small enough in size to be tucked under the seat in front of you.

The smallest and most affordable portable oxygen concentrator available is the Invacare XPO2. Able to operate at altitudes up to 10000 feet, the Invacare XPO2 weighs approximately 6 pounds and significantly smaller than both the Respironics Evergo and the Inogen One. It comes in a handy carry bag and features simple controls for easy operation. The Invacare XPO2 has not received FAA approval as of July 2008, but you can check with your airline for the most up-to-date portable oxygen concentrator information.

When purchasing a new oxygen therapy device, it is important to look at all of the features and benefits of each model while taking into consideration how you will be using it and what your oxygen needs are. Be sure to carefully consider the models available before purchasing. However, regardless of what model you choose, you are sure to enjoy the freedom of being able to travel in ways that, several years ago, were not possible for patients requiring oxygen therapy.

By Richard Chandler

A portable oxygen concentrators, also called a Portable Concentrator is a portable device used to provide oxygen therapy to a patient at substantially higher concentrations than the levels of ambient air. It is very similar to a Home Oxygen Concentrator, but it smaller in size and more mobile. The portable oxygen concentrator makes it easy for patients to travel freely; they are small enough to fit in a car and most of the major concentrators are now FAA approved.

Portable Oxygen Concentrators have been around for decades; but the older versions were bulky, not reliable and not FAA approved. Since 2000, a number of manufactures have introduced the latest and more reliable versions of the portable oxygen concentrators. They produce anywhere between 1 and 6 liters per minute (LPM) of oxygen. There are versions that are pulse-flow or continuous-flow. The portable concentrators plug directly into a regular house outlet for charging at home or hotel; but they came with a power adapter that can usually be plugged into a vehicle DC adapter. They have the ability to operate from the battery power as well for either ambulatory use, or away from a power source, or on a airplane.

Todays smartly designed portable oxygen concentrator (POC) offers oxygen therapy patients mobility that was unheard of just a few years ago. No more hauling around bulky oxygen tanks or worrying about refilling liquid oxygen cylinders. POC's conveniently plug into standard electrical outlets or can be used with rechargeable batteries for further mobility. A frequently asked question is: "Can I use a portable oxygen concentrator on an airplane?"

Thanks to new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, now you can. The FAA's decision has been hailed by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) for giving the more than 1 million Americans requiring daily oxygen therapy the opportunity for air travel. The FAA has approved certain models of POC's for on-board use. Two of those approved models are the Inogen One and the SeQual Eclispe. Both of these units are top-of-the-line POC's that offer a variety of benefits for oxygen therapy patients.

Although the FAA has approved these models for air travel, there are certain criteria that must be met to use a POC on-board aircraft. They include:


* You must inform the airline of intended on-board use of portable oxygen concentrators prior to departure

* You must have a written statement from your physician detailing your oxygen requirements

* The statement must also declare the POC user has the ability to hear, see, understand and respond to the unit's alarms

* You must ensure the unit is properly stored during takeoff and landing

Despite the FAA ruling, not all airlines permit POC's on-board. Here are some of the airlines that currently allow POC's during flight:

* American Airlines

* Alaskan Airlines

* ATA Airlines* Delta Airlines

* Frontier Airlines

* Northwest Airlines

* Southwest Airlines

* Sun Country

Don't let oxygen therapy keep you from visiting family and friends in distant places. The Inogen One and SeQual Eclipse give you the freedom to hop on an airplane and live the active life you deserve.

Several university studies have determined that using portable oxygen concentrators are a valuable tool for treating children with hypoxemia in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends supplying oxygen to children in developing with oxygen concentrators. The WHO prefers oxygen concentrators to compressed oxygen cylinders because cylinders pose significant cost and logistic problems.

Hypoxemia is a common complication of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children. The disease is an abnormal deficiency in the concentration of oxygen in arterial blood. When people think of health problems for children in developing countries, they rarely think about respiratory illness. Pneumonia alone contributes to between 750,000 and 1.2 million neonatal deaths and an undetermined number of stillbirths each year worldwide. The majority of deaths from pneumonia occur in developing countries, where facilities for early detection are few and far between. Finding oxygen therapy equipment is a challenge throughout the third world.

For children with hypoxemia in developing countries, early detection and treatment is the key to survival. Here are some of the most common warning signs associated with hypoxemia:

* Rapid breathing (more than 60 breaths per minute)

* Nasal flaring

* Grunting

* Head nodding

* General depression

* Lethargy

The combination of several of these physical signs can be used to predict hypoxemia in children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) with reasonable accuracy. Healthcare workers and parents can be taught these warning s signs to help aid in early diagnosis.

Unfortunately, oxygen therapy is not part of the first line of treatment for most children with ARI in developing countries. Oxygen in these poor countries tends to be given to already seriously ill children, often with poor results. Oxygen can be much more useful if given at earlier stages of respiratory disease. Studies indicate that oxygen concentrators may improve management of childhood asthma in developing countries and are more cost-effective than conventional compressed oxygen cylinders. The only requirement for oxygen concentrators is a reliable source of electricity. Even this can be overcome with a small generator or a portable oxygen concentrator with re-chargeable batteries.

Oxygen concentrators are currently being successfully used in district hospitals in Egypt, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and Malawi. Research by the WHO has determined that one oxygen concentrator can provide low flow oxygen to up to 4 children. The organization also believes that savings offered by oxygen concentrators could be used to purchase other essential medicines and supplies. Charity organizations would be wise to purchase oxygen concentrators for children in developing countries. Oxygen concentrators provide life saving oxygen while offering exceptional value.

Author: Chuck Jaymes