State of Colorado Employees Receive 10% Discount on Any Online Portable Oxygen Concentrator Purchase!

This website is operated by Dr. Donnelly and his staff who are trained on portable oxygen concentrator product knowledge and insurance reimbursement.  Dr. Donnelly is a primary healthcare provider who knows the "in’s and out’s’ of insurance reimbursement.  With experience in the air quality and respiratory industry, Dr. Donnelly and his staff have chosen to feature the most advanced oxygen concentrators available.  These machines have become smaller, lighter, safer and more convenient.  On the forefront of new technology in portable oxygen concentrators are the Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator, the SeQual Eclipse Oxygen Concentrator and the Devilbiss 303DS.

Specifically for the state employees of Colorado, we are offering a 10% discount. Go to our homepage and read through the information.  Feel free to browse throughout the website.  When you are ready to purchase a portable oxygen concentrator, call our toll free number.  A representative will verify your Colorado state employment and manually adjust the price to include your 10% discount.

Inogen One Regulare Price $4,995 Colorado Employee Price Call For Discount

Devilbiss 303DS Regulare Price $2,100 Colorado Employee Price Call For Discount

To receive your 10% discount, you must call 1-800-590-9291 so that we may verify your employment for the state of Colorado.

This discount does not apply to:
State of Colorado medical plan covered in-network services and supplies.

Last month, United States Senators Jack Reed (D-RI)) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) introduced the Home Oxygen Patient Protection (HOPP) Act.  This legislation would undo a provision that was included in the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act that required Medicare beneficiaries receiving home oxygen therapy to purchase the equipment after 36 months.  Senator Reed commented that "More than 1 million Medicare recipients suffer from chronic respiratory illness requiring oxygen therapy for their survival.  Medical oxygen is a prescription drug and it is essential that these patients receive this oxygen safely."

The 2005 Deficit Reduction Act capped the home oxygen benefit at 36 months, forcing the patient to own their equipment.  This placed patient safety in jeopardy and diminishes the patient’s independence and quality of life.  This Act passed along the responsibilities for servicing and maintaining oxygen therapy equipment to the patient, creating an additional and unnecessary burden.

Peter Kelly, Chairman of the Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CORC), says: "Adequate Medicare funding for home oxygen therapy will be crucial in the coming years to help patients maintain independence and quality of life, especially as incidence of COPD and other lung-related diseases continue to rise."  The CORC is a coalition of 11 leading home oxygen therapy providers and manufacturers who provide services and care to approximately 650,000 home oxygen therapy patients.  The CORC applauded the HOPP Act as a measure to ensure that the over 1 million Medicare patients requiring supplemental oxygen continue to have access to home oxygen therapy.

The typical home oxygen therapy patient is a 73-year-old woman suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is the nation’s 4th leading cause of death.  COPD is a respiratory disease that obstructs airflow to the lungs, causing shortness of breath and a host of other aliments.  COPD is the term physicians prefer to use referring to 2 lung diseases that frequently co-exist, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  The primary risk factor for the disease is smoking, with approximately 80% to 90% of COPD deaths being smoking related.  "Chronic respiratory illness is devastating and debilitating", added Senator Reed.  I will work with my colleagues to ensure that these Medicare patients are again able to receive life-saving assistance and help improve both their safety and overall quality of life."

It seems that Congress is finally realizing that long-term oxygen therapy has a proven track record as a cost effective method for respiratory illness.  When you compare the average cost of hospitalization for COPD, $4,603 per day, to the cost of home oxygen therapy, $7.62 per day, the saving are remarkable.  These savings can be increased even further by using oxygen concentrators.  Oxygen concentrators simply plug into standard electrical outlets, with many models being energy efficient.  These instruments save money by eliminating the need for cylinder refilling and scheduling of deliveries.

For information about 2 of the most advanced portable oxygen delivery systems please visit Inogen One and Sequal Eclipse to learn about where advances in COPD and Emphysema treatment therapy. 

COPD sufferers who require oxygen therapy have 3 options for oxygen delivery:

• Compressed oxygen cylinders
• Liquid oxygen cylinders
• Oxygen concentrators

Until recently, oxygen therapy patients had to choose between bulky oxygen cylinders and large, semi-mobile oxygen concentrators.  Inventive new designs and technologies have created a new generation of advanced portable oxygen concentrators.  Although they cost a little more, many oxygen therapy patients discover that the increased freedom offered by portable oxygen concentrators is well worth a few extra dollars.  Here are 6 good reasons to spend a little extra on a portable oxygen concentrator:

6 Advantages of Portable Oxygen Concentrators 

1. Ease of Set-Up  Portable oxygen concentrators are much easier to set-up than oxygen cylinders.  You simply plug the unit into a standard electrical outlet and set the flow meter to your physician’s prescribed flow rate.  You can easily move from room to room with lightweight portable oxygen concentrators.  Oxygen cylinders have to wheeled on a cart from room to room and must be handled with care.
2. No Scheduling Deliveries or Storing Oxygen Cylinders  Unlike oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders require continuous refilling.  This means you must schedule and be available for deliveries from a home oxygen equipment supply store.  This also requires finding a secure place to store both full and empty cylinders.  Oxygen cylinders must be handled with care to due the possibility of fire or explosion.
3. Car Travel  One of the greatest benefits of portable oxygen concentrators is how perfect they are for car travel.  Liquid oxygen can be placed into smaller cylinders for travel, but must be refilled.  Several models of portable oxygen concentrators can be plugged into your car’s accessory outlet.  Many also come with rechargeable batteries for even more mobility.  You can even drive while receiving oxygen therapy from a portable oxygen concentrator!  Just place the unit behind your seat on the floor, plug it in and off you go.
4. Air Travel  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved selected portable oxygen concentrators for on-board use.  This ruling has been promoted and endorsed by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).  The FAA does not allow compressed oxygen cylinders in airplane cabins because it is classified as hazardous.  Two of the approved models are the Inogen One and the Sequal Eclipse.  Not all airlines allow portable oxygen concentrators, so you should always check with your carrier prior to departure to see what their requirements are.
5. Unobtrusive and Less Embarrassing  Let’s face it, most people who are receiving oxygen therapy are going to feel self conscious and possible embarrassed at some point.  Who wants to be seen dragging around big oxygen cylinders?  Today’s portable oxygen concentrators weigh just a few pounds and don’t look like "medical equipment".  An oxygen cylinder says "I’m an oxygen therapy patient".  A less stigmatizing portable oxygen concentrator says "I’m going to be active and mobile despite my affliction".
6. Allows a More Active Lifestyle  The average age for onset of COPD in the United States is 60.  This means an increasing number of baby boomers will be receiving oxygen therapy in the future.  Baby boomers are notorious for taking responsibility for their own health and are less willing to accept lifestyle degradation than previous generations.  Portable oxygen concentrators allow unprecedented freedom of mobility.  Jump in your car or hop on an airplane to travel where and when you want.

Although medical portable oxygen concentrators generally cost a little more than standard concentrators or oxygen cylinders, the benefits far outweigh any additional cost.  These innovative units are easy on the electric bill and are virtually maintenance free.  Discover how using a portable oxygen concentrator can improve both your physical and psychological health by increasing your mobility.

If you are new to oxygen therapy, watch this video to see what some of the challenges are that you will soon be facing.  But if you are already familiar with the issues of oxygen therapy, keep reading to see the remarkable new solutions we have recently found.

Is Your Oxygen Supply Effecting Your Quality of Life?

The movie shows how Audrey Ciere’s lifestyle has changed due to COPD and oxygen therapy.  She uses a home oxygen therapy system and as the video shows, it is a noisy reminder of the struggles she faces everyday. Her struggles have progressed since her diagnosis and she realizes that oxygen and time are of the essence. Watch her interview to share her experience with COPD. 

Continue reading below to see how recent oxygen concentrator developments below can help home oxygen therapy patients gain back freedom and mobility.

How Have COPD Solutions Improved?

Even though Ms.Ciere suffers from crippling COPD symptoms, she is an intelligent, capable individual with a long life still infront of her.  Over 14 million people are in this same situation.  And doctors and engineers have been working on solutions from many different viewpoints.  Besides changing the legal and insurance rules about what equipment oxygen therapy patients may receive, other experts have been developing smaller, more mobile oxygen concentrators.

On this website, we feature what we have found to be the most advanced and valuable solution for patients who are tied to their oxygen concentrator.  That 200 lb. oxygen concentrator has shrunken down to a mere 17 or even 10 pound device that can run off batteries for an entire morning, afternoon or evening.  With new advancements, these machines have become as convenient to where you can charge them off your car lighter/accessory outlet, carry them around, scoot them around on wheels like luggage and even fly with them on airplanes.

If you want your health, your life and your freedom back, click on FREE CONSULTATION and answer a few questions to see if you qualify for a state of the art oxygen concentrator at a reduced cost.

Are You Considering Using Oxygen Cylinders for Your Home or Travel Oxygen Therapy?

Watch this video showing the aftermath of an oxygen cylinder tank accident and you will surely join the many people rushing to switch to oxygen concentrators.  After the video, read about the factors that contribute to the risk of oxygen cylinder explosions.

Oxygen concentrator systems have been developed that are small, portable, lightweight… and by far safer than cylinders.  Oxygen Concentrators do not store large amounts dangerous pressurized oxygen.  They make the oxygen from the air and deliver it as needed.

Watch the video below showing what can happen to your home therapy oxygen cylinder.  Press the play button.  Please be patient.  The video starts black with only talking for a moment, before you actually begin seeing images.

This video shows the results after an accidental E cylinder explosion.  This happened at a maintenance shop, but could easily happen in a home or in transit with a malfunctioning oxygen cylinder you may be carrying in your car or on your back.

Factors That Increase the Risk of Oxygen Cylinder Accidents:

• Heat
• Vibration

You are much more likely to apply heat and vibration to your oxygen tank when you are traveling.  Let’s look at traveling in a car.  Direct sunlight on the car increases heat.  Driving on uneven pavement or especially the sudden movement caused by aggressive breaking causes hazardous vibration for your oxygen cylinder.

In the worst case scenario, An accidental collision can cause sudden movement, flames or sparks that could easily trigger a severe oxygen cylinder explosion like that shown in the video.  The automobile engine runs via combustion of gasoline.  Putting your compressed oxygen cylinder inside a car and traveling at high speeds with other cars puts you at great risk of an oxygen cylinder accident.

After seeing the damage an oxygen cylinder can create in the video here, we are very thankful for the advancements in portable oxygen concentrators as they phase out the need for cylinders.  Manufacturers are aware of the dangers of oxygen tanks and are working to develop smaller, lighter, safer and more convenient ways of delivering oxygen therapy through portable oxygen concentrators.  These devices are in very high demand, and are available through this website.

Individuals receiving oxygen therapy often prefer portable oxygen concentrators (POC’s) because of the freedom of mobility they offer.  One of the most frequently asked questions about POC’s is if they can be used on airplanes.  Thanks to recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determinations, certain models of POC’s have been approved for in-flight use.  The FAA has received thousands of letters in support of its decision to allow POC’s on-board airlines.

The FAA finally responded to tremendous pressure to allow POC’s on commercial aircraft by the more than 1 million Americans who require supplemental oxygen on a daily basis.  POC’s have been approved for on-board use because they don’t use compressed oxygen, which is classified as hazardous and not allowed on planes.

Not all airlines allow permit POC’s onboard.  Make sure to check with your carrier before you book your flight.  Most airlines require that you contact them at least 48 hours before your flight departs to inform them you will be traveling with a POC.

Current airlines that allow POC’s on aircraft:

In a company statement shortly after the FAA ruling to allow POC’s on aircraft, Inogen CEO Kathy Odell called the ruling “A great day for oxygen users.  Devices like the Inogen One have undergone extensive testing to ensure they do not interfere with aircraft procedures during takeoff, in the air or at landing, nor should their operation disrupt other passengers.  What they do is provide worry-free travel for oxygen patients.”

Before you fly you must obtain a signed statement from your physician.  Pursuant to Federal Aviation Regulations, anyone wishing to use a POC onboard an airline must obtain a written statement from their physician stating your ability to hear/see and respond to alarms, when oxygen use is necessary (all or part of the trip) and the maximum flow rate corresponding to the pressure in the cabin under normal operating conditions.  Here is a template of the Medical Verification Statement Required by Continental Airlines.  Every airline offers their own template for a statement, though they are generally all the same.  You should be able to use one statement for the majority of your air travel.  Like an I.D. it is something you present and keep with you.

The FAA ruling and the improved technology of portable oxygen concentrators makes airline travel not only possible for oxygen therapy patients, it makes it easy and without the stigma attached to bulky oxygen cylinders.  Many POC’s, like the Inogen One and SeQual Eclipse, are also battery operated.  For further information on how to safely travel with portable oxygen concentrator batteries, please visit the Department of Transportation (DOT) website.

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 1999 Feb;54(1):75-8. Long-term oxygen therapy: advances and perspectives in technical devices. • Keller RR. Dept of Pneumology, Clinic Barmelweid, Switzerland.

Since the early beginnings of long-term oxygen therapy, by means of cylinders of compressed oxygen and their subsequent replacement with oxygen concentrators, most technical advances have been steadily focused on improving the facilities for continuous ambulatory oxygen therapy. Largely for this purpose, two different systems have been developed.

1) Oxygen concentrators in combination with portable cylinders for patients requiring oxygen at home and during short-term outdoor activities. If connected to an oxygen-conserving device, the duration of the administration of oxygen therapy can be increased substantially. For improved mobility, a new generation of lightweight cylinders can now be provided by multiple suppliers, reducing the weight of the portable system to 2.1 kg.

2) Liquid oxygen is still the most convenient system for patients requiring continuous oxygen therapy at home as well as during daily outdoor activities. A major shortcoming of liquid oxygen is its high costs, mainly due to logistics of resupply and refilling of cylinders.

Conserving devices are capable of substantially reducing the consumption and costs of compressed and liquid oxygen. The following conservation devices have proven to be efficient: reservoir cannulas, demand oxygen-pulse devices, and transtracheal catheters. Additionally, the transtracheal route improves physical ability and prolongs survival.   Looking to the future of long-term oxygen therapy, there is ongoing progress in the technical advancements of oxygen concentrators.

A very promising new product is a type of concentrator which can be used to refill small portable cylinders at home. This system may be an innovative and less expensive alternative to liquid oxygen. To summarize, all future efforts should be directed at improving the technologies for providing continuous ambulatory oxygen therapy to those suffering from chronic pulmonary impairment.

PMID: 10218377 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

To find out more about portable oxygen concentrators, visit the section called "Research Articles" at the top of this website.  On every page of the research section (like this page), you can find links to specific categories in the right column.

To learn how you can obtain a portable oxygen concentrator, click FREE CONSULTATION and fill in your answers.  Your information will be kept secure, as it is only used by the OscarAir, Inc. staff to determine the most cost effective way for you to receive your state of the art oxygen concentrator.

The FAA ruling and the improved technology of portable oxygen concentrators makes airline travel not only possible for oxygen therapy patients, it makes it easy and without the stigma attached to bulky oxygen cylinders.  Many POC’s, like the Inogen One and SeQual Eclipse, are also battery operated.  For further information on how to safely travel with portable oxygen concentrator batteries, please visit the Department of Transportation (DOT) website.

When individuals with COPD are recently prescribed oxygen therapy, usually one of their first concerns is cost.  Oxygen therapy equipment can be fairly expensive and many patients are unaware of insurance benefits available to them.

Oxygen is considered a medical treatment and must be prescribed by a physician in order for you to receive it.  Some patients need only occasional, short-term oxygen therapy while others require continuous long-term oxygen therapy.  One of the most popular oxygen delivery systems is the oxygen concentrator.  Oxygen concentrators come in a variety of sizes providing solutions for both home and travel.  Almost 80% of Medicare home oxygen patients use oxygen concentrators daily.

Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, will cover most of the cost provided your test results show that you require oxygen therapy. Private insurance coverage varies from company to company, so it is important to check with your provider to see if your policy provides coverage.

Medicare’s Medical Guidelines for Home Oxygen Therapy varies from state to state.  Most oxygen concentrators produce oxygen that is generally between 87% and 95% pure.  Medicare requires the purity to be greater than 85%.  Since the Medicare monthly fee schedule allowance for portable oxygen concentrators varies from state to state, you should visit their website to see the guidelines for the state you reside in.

Medicare Example
To illustrate how Medicare coverage for oxygen therapy works, let’s look at the state of South Carolina as an example.  Medicare will help pay for oxygen therapy equipment under the following conditions:

• Your doctor confirms that you have lung disease and that oxygen therapy might improve your condition
• Your arterial blood gas level falls within a certain range
• Other alternative methods have been tried and were not effective for you

If you meet these conditions, Medicare will help pay for:

• Oxygen supply systems (including oxygen concentrators)
• Oxygen storage containers
• Oxygen contents
• Supplies for the delivery of oxygen, such as tubing

Eligibility for Medicare coverage for oxygen therapy requires your test results must show you have a measured blood oxygen of 55 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or less, or a saturation of 88%.  If your measured blood oxygen is between 56 and 59 mmHg and your saturation is 89%, you can still meet the reimbursement requirements only if you exhibit one of the following symptoms:

• Right heart failure
• High pressure in pulmonary arteries
• Secondary polycythemia
• Edema

If you are eligible, Medicare will pick up 80% of the cost and you or your supplemental insurance must pay the remaining 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.  You must also pay an annual deductible of $131.00 for services and supplies before Medicare coverage begins.  There are 2 exclusions for coverage of portable oxygen systems:

1. If oxygen is provided for use during sleep only
2. If portable oxygen is used only as a backup to a permanent oxygen system

Even if you don’t meet Medicare requirements for coverage or don’t have private insurance and are worried about paying the remaining 20% of costs, don’t dismay.  This website sells oxygen concentrators and offers innovative payment plan options.  If qualified, you can spread out your payments for up to a year, interest free!  To find out how inexpensive and easy it can be to have your new portale oxygen concentrator, fill out the FREE CONSULTATION form, and the staff here at OxygenConcentrators.org will contact you with options.

The FAA ruling and the improved technology of portable oxygen concentrators makes airline travel not only possible for oxygen therapy patients, it makes it easy and without the stigma attached to bulky oxygen cylinders.  Many POC’s, like the Inogen One and SeQual Eclipse, are also battery operated.  For further information on how to safely travel with portable oxygen concentrator batteries, please visit the Department of Transportation (DOT) website.

Many oxygen therapy users are turning to websites to obtain oxygen therapy equipment instead of going to medical supply stores.  There are good websites out there that provide a lot of medical and product information so that consumers can make an educated decision on what products are right for them (like this one: www.OxygenConcentrators.org).  There are also plenty of “catalogue” websites that are just storefronts for hundreds of products with very little, if any, information that can help in your decision making.

Step 1: Get Your Prescription
Before you start looking at oxygen concentrators online, you need to consult with your physician.  Except for emergency use, a physician’s prescription is required for oxygen therapy.  Your need for supplemental oxygen is determined by blood gas measurements, pulse oximetry or clinical observation.  These tests allow your physician to accurately prescribe the specific amount of oxygen you require.  There are no special patient preparations needed to administer oxygen therapy.

Step 2:  Research the Products
Once you have your RX in hand, you’re ready to do some research about oxygen concentrators.  Look for sites that offer information about specific products; many have PDF’s you can open that will enable you to see product brochures and specifications.  Many sites have text links to government and health organizations that can provide even further information for you.  Our website offers the results of product research performed by Dr. Craig Donnelly and his personally trained Oxygen Concentrator Team at OscarAir, Inc.  To begin researching the products, click on our HOME page at the top left, or choose a product (Inogen One Oxygen Concentrator or SeQual Eclipse Oxygen Concentrator) from the drop down menu under PRODUCTS.

Step 3:  Find a Reliable Website to Provide Advice
Look for websites that are run and staffed by health care providers and air quality professionals.  Beware of catalogue websites and those that are just basically sales pages.  These types of websites are there to sell you a specific product, not to help provide a solution to your oxygen therapy or respiratory needs.  Look for websites with health care professionals on staff to give intelligent answers to questions that are important to you.  Some websites will even email you “Helpful Tips” or “Free Reports” that can provide you with even a wider variety of useful information.  On this website, feel free to take advantage of a FREE CONSULTATION with Dr. Craig Donnelly, where you can receive help with insurance reimbursements.

Step 4:  Determine a Reliable Website to Provide Equipment
When you have found the right oxygen concentrator that fits your needs, make sure the website you are on is reputable.  Don’t put your credit card number in without doing some research first.  Here are some things to check before you make your online purchase:

• Does the website feature a Better Business Bureau Embalm?
• Is the website listed in Dun & Bradstreet?
• Does the website provide you with a street address, phone number, fax number and email address?
• When you are on the “Buy Now” page, does it feature security such as VeriSign Secured, GeoTrust, PayPay, etc.?

Dun & Bradstreet
What is Dun & Bradstreet?  D & B is the world’s leading source of business information and insight.  D & B’s commercial database is global and contains over 100 million business records.  Having a D & B D-U-N-S Number is recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of businesses.

A company with a D & B Number enhances customer confidence and security by enabling potential customers to easily identify and learn about a company.  The U.S. government and many major corporations require their suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors to have a D-U-N-S Number.

Better Business Bureau
Another sign of credibility for a website is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) association.  There are BBB’s extending all across the United States and Canada.  Founded in 1912, the BBB helps resolve many marketplace disputes fairly through the use of voluntary self-regulation and consumer education.

VeriSign and PayPal
How do you know that your credit card information is safe?  Look for websites that use proven financial security systems like VeriSign and PayPal.  These systems employ technology that protects your sensitive financial information from hackers and the unscrupulous.  VeriSign, for instance, operates digital infrastructure that enables and protects billions of voice and data services interactions every day around the world.  They provide layered security solutions to protect both consumers and websites.  VeriSign’s digital certificates protect over 750,000 Web servers.

If you have any doubts about the website, you should call them so you can speak with an actual person to have any questions answered.  Once again, look for websites that feature health care professionals, not just salespeople.  Don’t trust your health with anyone but professionals.

Get Started Now
If you are ready now to get your portable oxygen concentrator, answer the brief questionaire on the Free Consultation page in the menu above.  This website is run by , an experienced primary healthcare provider.  We will help you determine the best product for your needs as well as help you get it at the lowest possible cost, using any insurance options or payment plans for which you may qualify.

If you have been on the internet recently researching oxygen concentrators, chances are that you’ve been exposed to outdated criticisms and outright misinformation.  Claims that most portable oxygen concentrators are “the size of a large suitcase, weigh 50 pounds and use lots of electricity” are just flat out wrong.  Using portable oxygen concentrators is one of the more popular home oxygen options available to oxygen therapy patients.

In 2007, there are some remarkable portable oxygen concentrators on the market that have revolutionized oxygen therapy.  The Inogen One for example, weighs only 10 pounds, operates indefinitely on A/C, 2-3 hours on a rechargeable battery, can be plugged into your car’s cigarette lighter and meets FAA requirements for aircraft use.  The SeQual Eclipse, slightly larger, yet easily portable, is also approved by the FAA, battery or car operated and even provides continuous flow when powered by a standard electrical outlet.

Let’s Look at Some of the Typical Myths Being Circulated About Portable Oxygen Concentrators:

Myth #1 – Oxygen concentrators are bulky, cumbersome and embarrassing.

Reality –Portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One and SeQual Eclipse are compact, lightweight and unobtrusive.  The SeQual Eclipse comes with a telescoping handle cart for easy mobility.  The trim Inogen One is only 11.62” long, 6” wide and 12.39” in height, including handle.  The lightweight Inogen One weighs less than 10 pounds, including battery!

Myth #2 – The more oxygen I take, the better I’ll feel.

Reality – Oxygen is a prescribed drug and your physician’s instructions should always be followed closely.  Never adjust the flow rate on your oxygen concentrator without your physicians consent.

Myth #3 – If I start using oxygen, I’ll have to take it the rest of my life.

Reality – Not all oxygen therapy patients require treatment for the duration of their lives.  Many discontinue use after other appropriate treatments have taken effect.  Oxygen therapy gives your body what it needs to heal.

Myth #4 – Oxygen therapy patients must be confined to their homes.

Reality – Portable oxygen concentrators give users the freedom to lead active and mobile lives.  These compact and innovative units are designed for mobility.  Place the Inogen One or Eclipse behind the front car seat; plug it into the cigarette lighter and away you go!  You have endless oxygen anywhere you can plug in, plus 3 or 4 hours of battery life to go anywhere you wish.

Myth #5 – Portable oxygen concentrators gobble up electricity.

Reality – Today’s energy efficient portable oxygen concentrators use about as much electricity as a television.  In fact, the newest portable oxygen concentrators can run for 3 or 4 hours on battery life alone.

Myth #6 – Using an oxygen concentrator can be dangerous.

Reality – Unless mishandled, oxygen concentrators are perfectly safe.  Of course, oxygen is flammable, so you need to keep it away from smokers or open flames.  But altogether, oxygen concentrators are by far safer than oxygen cylinders or tanks.  Unlike tanks or cylinders, oxygen concentrators do not store large amounts of pressurized oxygen.  Concentrators create oxygen as it is needed and only store enough to provide the correct liters per minute flow.  As strict as airlines have become concerning explosives, the FAA and most airlines have deemed several of the newest oxygen concentrators safe for planes.

It is important to remember that all portable oxygen concentrators are not the same.  What may apply for one product can be vastly different for another.  If you are researching portable oxygen concentrators online, look for websites that offer product brochures and specification sheets.  These are valuable tools in helping you to determine the correct portable oxygen concentrator that meets your requirements.

It is also helpful to find websites like this one, that are staffed with professional health care providers, not just salespersons.  On other websites, you will also find a good deal of outdated information regarding portable oxygen concentrators.  There have been huge advances in recent years that are not reflected in much of the information available on other sites.  For accurate information on the newest, state of the art oxygen concentrators, go to our homepage for oxygen concentrators.

The air we breathe is made up of approximately 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen and about 1% of argon and other trace gases.  Every cell in the human body requires a fresh supply of oxygen to survive.  Individuals suffering from oxygen deficiency often need some form of oxygen therapy.  Supplemental oxygen delivered to the lungs makes it easier for the body to absorb the oxygen it needs.  The means of providing oxygen has evolved as technology improves to meet the demands of convenience, cost and efficiency.  The emerging technology of choice is the oxygen concentrator.

Oxygen concentrators are the most commonly used home oxygen systems.  In fact, portable oxygen concentrators designed to provide long-term oxygen therapy to patients with chronic lung disease is the largest application of oxygen concentrators in the healthcare field.  They are frequently used as an alternative to compressed oxygen in tanks.  For many years, oxygen has traditionally been supplied in awkward cylinders that are difficult to transport and can be potentially dangerous.  The advent of oxygen concentrators eliminates these bulky tanks and the hazards associated with them, making them one of the most popular oxygen therapy systems.

Exactly How is Oxygen is Extracted from the Air by an Oxygen Concentrator?

Oxygen concentrators provide a continuous flow of oxygen (or sometimes a pulse of oxygen as the user inhales) to the user without tanks or cylinders that require re-filling.  They are electric or battery powered oxygen delivery systems that extract some of the air from the room and separates the oxygen from the other gases.  This is a phenomenon referred to as adsorption.  Many concentrators feature a porous substance known as zeolyte.  Zeolytes are disposed to concentrate oxygen in the air by removing most of the nitrogen molecules.  The concentrator pumps pressurized air into a container of zeolytes to extract as much nitrogen as possible.  The oxygen concentrator uses ambient air as a source of oxygen by separating the oxygen, concentrating it (over 94%) and then storing it. Oxygen can be received from the oxygen concentrator through a nasal cannula (a two-pronged tube attached to the oxygen concentrator) or a face mask, depending on the required flow rate and personal preference.  TIP: When using a cannula, be sure to use water-based lubricants on your nostrils instead of oil-based products like petroleum jelly.  Extra tubing permits the user the freedom to move around with minimal difficulty and portable units offer even greater mobility.

Our Top Picks for Oxygen Concentrators

Oxygen concentrators offer users a dependable supply of oxygen without the hassles of oxygen tanks and oxygen deliveries.  There are a handful of portable oxygen concentrators that give you mobility and allow oxygen therapy patients to lead normal and active lives.  On this website, we have chosen to feature what we consider to be the two most advanced units:

Throughout our lives, most of us take our bodies’ function of breathing oxygen for granted.  But once we begin to suffer respiratory difficulties and oxygen deficiency however, the affects become devastating. 

Oxygen deficiency in the human body has been linked to every major illness category; including respiratory disease, cancer, and heart disease.

The American Heart Association reports that over 1.5 million people die each year from heart conditions.  All heart attacks result from the failure of the heart muscle to receive adequate supplies of oxygen.  Severe oxygen deficiency is called hypoxia, often referred to as oxygen starvation.  This affliction invites cardiac trouble by over-stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, raising the heart rate.  A common factor in asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and various forms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is oxygen deficiency to the blood.

Fatigue Dizziness Depression Irritability Circulation problems Memory loss

Overall body weakness Acid stomach Muscle aches Poor digestion Increased infections Tumors

What should I do if I have symptoms of oxygen deficiency? 
See your doctor immediately!  If you do have an oxygen deficiency, the longer you wait for treatment, the more risk you are taking with your health.  Depending on the severity of your affliction, you could be putting tremendous strain on your heart and other vital organs.

Relief from oxygen deficiency can be found in oxygen therapy.

It is important to see your doctor because you will need a prescription to receive oxygen therapy.  Once you have your prescription, you can begin to shop for the right oxygen delivery system for you.  Maybe you would like standard oxygen tanks or you may prefer the mobility offered by today’s innovative portable oxygen concentrators.  You can even enjoy the convenience of purchasing your oxygen concentrator online.  Many websites make it easy for you; they allow you to fax your prescription to them and will help you jump through all of the insurance hoops.

If you are suffering from oxygen deficiency, you don’t have to keep feeling bad.  There is a wide assortment of home oxygen equipment available that can get you on the road to feeling better immediately.  Consult your physician and see if oxygen therapy is the right solution to improve your health.  If you already have a prescription and want to know how you can receive the latest oxygen concentrator technology, fill out the questionnaire on our FREE CONSULTATION page or go to our Oxygen Concentrators Website Homepage.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) refers to two lung diseases; chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  These diseases are characterized by obstruction to airflow that interferes with normal breathing. Physicians prefer the term COPD because both of these conditions frequently co-exist.  Many COPD symptoms are caused by the body’s attempt to compensate for a damaged respiratory system.

Keep reading to find out how an oxgen concentrator can be used to treat COPD. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States according to the American Lung Association.  Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD with approximately 80 to 90 percent of COPD deaths caused by smoking.  Typically, COPD is not diagnosed until the fifth decade in life. In 2004, over 11 million adults aged 18 and over were estimated to have COPD.  A major cause of hospitalization for our increasingly aged population is COPD.  In 2004, the cost of healthcare expenditures for COPD was over $37 billion dollars.There are four stages of COPD.  Each stage of COPD is based on symptoms and measured loss of pulmonary function, or the lungs ability to breathe.  Pulmonary Function Testing, or PFT measures the restriction of airflow during exhale.  The forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) is the amount of air that can be forcefully expelled in the first second of exhalation.  This is an indicator of airway obstruction and disease progression.  The predicted value for an individual is based on age, gender and height.  Normal is 80% or greater of the predicted value.

Latest Advancements in Oxygen Concentrators Receiving oxygen therapy today is nothing like it was years ago.  Inventive products allow you to travel freely and not have to lug around embarrassing tanks of oxygen.A constant healthcare issue for most people, over the years has been knowing that treatment is available only to those who can afford it.  But as product develpment progresses, solutions become more available.  Today there are oxygen concentrators affordable to most people, that can plug into your car, run on batteries, even go on airplanes.  Many of these new concentrators are even smaller and lighter than the dangerous oxygen therapy cylinders or tanks that have been seen rolling around behind COPD patients for the last several years.  With the help of insurance or medicare, these new portable oxygen concentrators are becoming affordable to greater numbers of people suffering from COPD.Where Can You Find Affordable Oxygen Concentrators? On this website, we present our findings for the most advanced and valuable investments for people experiencing COPD.  Check out our preferred selection of portable oxygen concentrator systems and see how they can improve your health and still allow you to lead an active lifestyle.  If you would like to find out if you qualify for a portable oxygen concentrator for little or no out of pocket cost, click Free Consultation on the top menu and answer a few questions.  The information you provide will allow our staff to find out answers you may not be able to get anywhere else.

There are three common ways of providing oxygen therapy in the home.  The device used to bring oxygen into the body is called an "oxygen delivery system".  Each of these forms of oxygen delivery systems also provide a portable or travel solution.  Means of home oxygen therapy include:

1. Compressed Oxygen Gas Cylinders
2. Liquid Oxygen
3. Oxygen Concentrators

Compressed oxygen gas tanks and liquid oxygen gas cylinders can be delivered to your home.  An oxygen concentrator is a device that you plug into a standard outlet and create oxygen from the air.  Oxygen concentrators can be purchased "Out of Pocket" or through your health insurance or Medicare.  The safest and often most convenient way of dispensing oxygen is through the use of a portable or home oxygen concentrator.

If oxygen therapy is recommended for you, your physician will write a prescription for you that will determine the flow rate, amount of oxygen needed per minute (LPM) and when to use oxygen.  Your next decision is to ascertain the type of oxygen delivery system that is right for you.

Compressed Oxygen
This is oxygen that is stored as a gas under pressure in a cylinder equipped with a flow meter and regulator to control the flow rate.  The flow of oxygen from the cylinder is constant, so you may want to attach an oxygen-conserving cut-off device.  This system is generally prescribed when oxygen therapy is required only occasionally when performing physical activity.  Compressed oxygen tanks are under extreme pressure and must be kept upright and handled with care.  Large tanks are heavy and not made for mobility.  Small cylinders can be filled from the larger tank for movement, but are not allowed on commercial airlines.

A couple of disadvantages of using compressed oxygen for home use are the need for frequent tank refills, explosion and fire hazards of storing compressed oxygen and the obtrusiveness of the tanks themselves. 

Liquid Oxygen
At extremely cold temperatures, oxygen changes from gas to a liquid.  The liquid oxygen is stored in a vessel similar to a thermos.  When the oxygen is warmed, it becomes a gas, ready to be delivered.  The liquid oxygen system requires less space than compressed gas, but is more expensive to use.  Liquid oxygen is often preferred by active individuals because it can be stored temporarily in small cylinders.

Here’s how the system works.  A large central unit is located permanently (it will be too heavy to easily relocate after initial installation) in a place away from electrical equipment (like TVs or appliances) that is well ventilated.  Liquid oxygen is stored here at extremely low temperatures.  To use the oxygen, you must transfer a small amount of liquid oxygen into a travel cylinder that you carry with you (though these types of devices are not allowed on commercial airlines).

Here are some disadvantages of liquid oxygen.  One disadvantage is that liquid oxygen cannot be kept for long because it will evaporate.  The large tanks must be refilled frequently, requiring the scheduling of deliveries.  Another drawback is that liquid oxygen is the most expensive form of continuous home oxygen therapy.  Furthermore, the process of using the equipment has been described by users as technical, confusing and hard to remember.

Oxygen Concentrator
The oxygen concentrator is an electrically operated medical device that extracts air from the room, separates the oxygen from other gases present, and delivers oxygen to the patient, usually through a nasal cannula.  There is a built-in flow meter attached to the concentrator to allow the prescribed flow rate to be set.  This method of oxygen therapy is less expensive, doesn’t require refilling, easier to maintain and there is no waiting for oxygen deliveries.  Oxygen concentrators are beneficial to individuals requiring long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) because it produces a continuous supply of oxygen without the need to store and replace cylinders.  Portable oxygen concentrators that are battery powered offer the user even greater freedom and mobility.

Many of the newest portable oxygen concentrators have been deemed safe for air travel by the FAA and are allowed on commercial flights.

Choosing which type of home oxygen therapy method is best is not always a clear cut decision.  The proper solution for one patient may not be suitable for another.  Discuss the various methods available with your physician and other individuals who are receiving LTOT.  Besides your personal comfort, what is highly important is that you use which ever method is chosen in the manner prescribed by your doctor so that you can experience the maximum health benefits of your oxygen therapy.