Oxygen Smart

Anyone who requires supplemental oxygen on a continuous basis know that there are certain practical things their portable oxygen machine should cover.

First of all (and obviously) the oxygen unit should provide oxygen in the required quantities,  at the required flow rate and for longer periods of time.

Secondly, it has to be portable – and this goes for those who lead active life styles as well as those who,  for whatever reason,  are limited in their range of activities.

This means that the portable oxygen concentrator has to be lightweight and easily carried.

This is where the Airsep FreeStyle comes into its own as the lightest POC weighing a little less than 5 lbs (2.3 kg) – which is similar to the smallest oxygen tanks or cylinders but with an unlimited supply of oxygen.

Airsep FreeStyle Specs:

Oxygen Concentration:* 1-3 pulse settings; equivalent to continuous flow of 90% oxygen ±3%
Dimensions: 8.6 in. high x 6.1 in. wide x 3.6 in. deep
(21.8 cm high x 15.5 cm wide x 9.1 cm deep)
Weight: 4.4 lb (2 kg), 1.8 lb (.8 kg) optional AirBelt
Power: AC Power Supply: 100 – 240 VAC (1.0 amp at 120 VAC)
DC Power Supply: 11-16 VDC (6.0 amps max at 13.5 VDC nominal)
FreeStyle Unit: 28 W nominal at 3 LPM
Battery duration: 3 setting – 2 hours; 2 setting – 2.5 hours; 1 setting – 3.5 hours
Optional AirBelt when combined with the internal battery: 3 setting – 5 hours; 2 setting – 6 hours;
1 setting – 10 hours
Battery recharge time: 3.5 hours; optional AirBelt: 3 hours

For people who need supplemental oxygen there are three basic choices – the actual type has to take into account the level of activity and the doctor’s prescription and suggestions. This additional oxygen need is provided by machines. The choices are oxygen cylinders holding liquid oxygen, tanks with compressed oxygen, and finally portable oxygen concentrators, the main focus of this post.

The portable oxygen delivery is the way patients can recover their ability for a more active life as not being able to stay active is one of the most negative psychological effects. Needing an extra supply of oxygen should not mean having to stay put on a bed or a chair while it is being administered.

An oxygen concentrator is a machine, powered by electricity, that extracts oxygen from the surrounding air and delivers it in concentrated form to the patient. What is important is that as long as the power source is working, oxygen delivery is being met.

There are home and stationary concentrators and portable ones. Imagine that you or someone near you has been prescribed with supplemental oxygen. With a portable oxygen cylinder you may have a couple of hours, depending on the flow, of oxygen before the tank empties. This means that if you are in a car, or anywhere else, you have a very specific time frame to get to another oxygen source – probably a stationary and much larger cylinder.
The other scenario, you are out and about, carrying your portable oxygen concentrator. You may have a spare battery or can reach an electric outlet to recharge.

There are many portable oxygen concentrator models in the market and to be portable means that they have to be easy to carry or pull along. Therefore weight is a prime consideration.

The following is a table comparing the weights of some of the models that are FAA authorized for air travel.

The most important aspect of a portable oxygen tank is that it has to be portable.  For anyone who needs extra oxygen, and particularily if they suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,  being able to stay active and mobile means  having a portable oxygen unit.  The portable definition means you can carry and use the oxygen tank while you are active.

The oxygen unit is not a stationary structure and therefore can be moved around comfortably. There are also mobile tanks and cylinders and this restricts the size and weight as a user must be able to carry it comfortably. A portable tank or cylinder may be pulled along on a trolley for example, as its weight and size reduces the patients carrying ability – but it is still portable, and an excellent means of supplying oxygen while practicing many activities.

Portable Oxygen Tanks:

These are containers that hold liquid oxygen. The main advantage is you can store much more liquid oxygen than compressed oxygen gas, in the same volume of space. The oxygen relationship is approximately 860 to 1. In other words one liter of liquid oxygen is equivalent to 860 liters of compressed oxygen. One thing to note though, is that liquid oxygen does evaporate and therefore a certain amount is lost. Having said that it lasts much longer. Another aspect that is important is that the refilling process is not as simple and must be done by a professional supplier.

Portable Oxygen Cylinders.

Portable oxygen cylinders are those that  store compressed oxygen in its gaseous state. They hold less oxygen but now days with flow meter and regulators they are now more practical as much less oxygen is wasted than when flow is constant. From the point of view of the refilling side, it is much easier. The options are through a professional supplier or by connecting them to a home stationary oxygen concentrator (the third type of portable oxygen unit).

Both these options are practical and provide increased mobility.