Portable Oxygen Concentrators 

Portable Oxygen Concentrators have a series of benefits for patients on Long Term Oxygen therapy, not least the oxygen delivery periods.

Portable Oxygen Concentrators - POC´s

Portable oxygen concentrators are machines that extract oxygen from ambient air, and deliver it as concentrated oxygen gas, to the patient via a nose cannula.

Oxygen concentrators have been in use for many years, typically stationary or home concentrators.

However over the last few years portable machines have been developed so as to provide supplemental oxygen to patients with lung and respiratory diseases while allowing them to be mobile. Portable oxygen concentrator oxygen systems are available in various models.

The air around us is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and the remaining 1% of various gases.

Breathing provides the oxygen concentration we require that keeps us healthy as it feeds our organs and whole life process with this vital gas - it could be said this is the primary fuel we need to cleanse and power our bodies.

The oxygen concentrator is powered by electricity and so does not store oxygen as the other two oxygen systems - cylinders with concentrated oxygen gas or tanks with liquid oxygen.

As long as the power source is on you do not run out of oxygen.

Benefits of Portable Oxygen Concentrators:

• There are a series of important benefits that oxygen concentrator portable models bring - the main one being the extend period of oxygen supply you get. This is because with their rechargeable batteries the machine continues to function for long periods of time.
• If you add the fact that you can have a replacement battery, this effectively doubles the duration without needing to recharge the battery.
• Additionally they also come with plug in option to either recharge or power directly.

These oxygen concentrators are in use all day long, seven days a week and for many years as the service they provide is indispensable. This brings up a very important consideration which is that they must be "durable medical equipment", and brand names will stand by their creations. Always look at the warranties and reputation of the manufacturers.

• They can be used anywhere and anytime. Whether you attend a birthday party or go on a trip you will have the freedom of movement you need. It is ideal for people who like to travel as the FAA has authorized the use of certain makes of oxygen concentrators on board flights that fly over US airspace.

POC´s (portable oxygen concentrators) are designed for patients requiring additional oxygen. This can be at home, at work and also when traveling by car, bus, train and even airplanes. Their operation is much more economical than with tanks or cylinders as you eliminate the need for refilling.

Typically your system will include:

• The Portable Oxygen Concentrator
• Two lithium ion batteries
• Power cord and 12V power cable for charging at home or away
• Easy to fold Trolley
• Accessory case
•  Manual

Portable oxygen concentrators have to provide supplemental oxygen constantly, easily, for long periods of time and at the same time they have to be easily carried, have an appropriate weight (otherwise the portable requirement is not met) and therefore allow the patient to recover and maintain an active lifestyle.

A patient´s lifestyle is seriously affected the minute he or she needs additional oxygen. It is important that the oxygen unit that delivers the oxygen be as portable as possible. There are several factors in deciding on the type of system is that the oxygen supply going.

The first factor to be considered is how often and how much oxygen is needed. The amount and frequency of oxygen that is prescribed and very importantly, your lifestyle. You need oxygen only when you sleep? If you eat? Or do you need it all day?

All oxygen machines, including concentrators have the same important accessories, such as a flow regulator and flow meter. You will also need a nose cannula.

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