30 Fast Facts About Portable Oxygen Concentrators

by Jason Ryser

A portable oxygen concentrator is a device used to provide oxygen therapy to people or patients that require greater oxygen concentrations than the levels of ambient air. It is similar to a home oxygen concentrator, but is smaller in size and more mobile.

The 30 Fast Facts About Portable Oxygen Concentrators are:

  1. Portable Oxygen Concentrators are often referred to as POCs.
  2. POCs take in air from the surrounding area.
  3. Concentrators compress air to remove almost all of the nitrogen and creates put oxygen.
  4. There is a cooling system in a POC to keep it from overheating.
  5. Pure oxygen is delivered to the user through a nasal tube.
  6. The two main parts of a POC are the compressor and sieve bed.
  7. When the air first enters, it goes to the compressor and then to the sieve bed.
  8. The sieve beds are filters that remove nitrogen from air to deliver purified oxygen to the user.
  9. The nasal tube that delivers the air is referred to as the cannula tube.
  10. POCs are powered by a rechargeable, portable battery.
  11. There are different types of oxygen flows—pulse dose and continuous flow.
  12. Continuous flow gives the user a constant flow of pure oxygen.
  13. Pulse dose gives the user oxygen every time they inhale.
  14. Continuous flow is usually used for oxygen therapy while sleeping.
  15. Most POCs come with a car adapter to recharge in your car.
  16. Portable batteries can last anywhere from three to ten hours depending on the device.
  17. Some POCs are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to take on commercial flights. If you plan on traveling with your concentrator, look into this before purchasing.
  18. The dosage of your POC can vary. You will need a certain amount prescribed by a doctor.
  19. Dosage is measure by LPM or liters per minute. This refers to the liters of oxygen per a minute.
  20. You will need to regularly take apart your concentrator and clean it. Particularly your nasal tube and filters. It should be wiped down every day.
  21. You will need to change your particle filter about once a year. Possibly more depending on the environment in which you live.
  22. Most POCs are carried around in a case. You can purchase cases specifically made for POCs.
  23. Many people who need a high dose of oxygen therapy will experience dryness in their nose, throat, or mouth. This can be helped by using a humidifier along with your concentrator.
  24. You should not change the amount of oxygen you are receiving without consulting with your doctor.
  25. You can workout with your POC. Because of its portable nature, these concentrators can go with you on a hike or other adventure.
  26. The cannula tube is necessary because it delivers oxygen directly to your nose and provides for better absorption.
  27. A battery will last longer when it is on a pulse dose setting versus a continuous flow setting.
  28. Some users will have extra batteries, so they can be out and about for longer periods without needed a recharge.
  29. The nitrogen that comes into the POC that is compressed out of the air is released into the user’s surrounding area.
  30. POCs give you oxygen therapy and the flexibility of mobility.
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