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]

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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.