Portable Oxygen Concentrators: A Users Perspective
Posted by admin - 11/08/09 at 04:08 pmPortable oxygen concentrators have changed many things for people who depend on an external oxygen supply. Revolutionize is perhaps too strong a word, but they definitely have changed the lifestyles of many people for the better. A few years back you hardly ever saw anyone on the streets carrying or pulling an oxygen delivery machine, but this is now much more common.
Most people don’t need additional oxygen except at very high altitudes so it is not easy for them to realize the difficulties patients on oxygen therapy have to go through – especially regarding moving about.
Just a few short years ago, at the beginning of this decade, the only mobile alternatives were oxygen cylinders and tanks and one has to admit these have also benefited from new designs (including the material they are now made from). But oxygen concentrators have expanded mobility potential for many thousands of people.
With the advent of oxygen concentrators and more importantly portable ones the life and styles of many people have changed allowing them to be much more active.
An oxygen concentrator is a devise that extracts oxygen from the surrounding air and delivers it in a pure form to the patient. This means no oxygen storage needs and for portable units this is very good news.
The 3 Most Important Things In A Portable Oxygen Concentrator.
I presented a simple questionnaire to 10 patients on long term oxygen therapy where I asked them for the three most important things they want in a portable oxygen delivery system. (Note: This is definitely not a scientific study).
Their answers were:
1. Duration. – Easily number 1 requirement (they all stressed this and placed it first). It should last for ages without needing a refill or battery recharge.
2. Small. – So they are easily maneuvered and placed while in use.
3. Light. – As they said this is obvious – insufficient oxygen restricts their weight carrying capabilities.
A lot of the design innovations have been made with these three things in mind – and the duration aspect is probably where we will see new and exciting things.
