Portable Oxygen Concentrator Therapy Guide Guidance for patients requiring long-term, supplemental oxygen solutions. Table of Contents Part One: Oxygen Therapy 101 Part Two: Oxygen Concentrators Part Three: Portable Oxygen Concentrators Part Four: Which Oxygen Concentrator is Right For You? Confused or overwhelmed? Let us help you! Our Product Specialists are standing by to answer questions and offer tips.(800) 515-8049 INTRODUCTION 3 Welcome! OxygenDirect is pleased to provide this educational guide for current and potential patients to understand the benefits of oxygen therapy—and specifically portable oxygen concentrators. We intend to expand patients’ knowledge and appreciation of advancements in technology that are now available. This document is designed to complement the information provided by a doctor or healthcare provider when discussing oxygen therapy options. Who is OxygenDirect? OxygenDirect is dedicated to helping oxygen therapy patients breathe easier without interfering with lifestyles and daily activities. We offer a wide selection of portable and home oxygen products and accessories, plus a diverse range of CPAP machines and accessories. Our OxygenDirect Product Specialists can help evaluate patients’ oxygen needs and varying product features to ultimately arrive at a product that perfectly fits a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a breathing/medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this document. Confused or overwhelmed? Let us help you! Our Product Specialists are standing by to answer questions and offer tips.(800) 515-8049 Part One Oxygen Therapy 101 Confused or overwhelmed? Let us help you! Our Product Specialists are standing by to answer questions and offer tips.(800) 515-8049 OXYGEN THERAPY 101 5 How Your Body Uses Oxygen Simply put, when your body is functioning properly, the oxygen you inhale from the air passes through your lungs into the bloodstream. The blood carries oxygen to cells throughout the body, where it helps convert nutrients into usable energy. If your lungs aren’t performing at full capacity, you may not be able to receive the full amount of oxygen that each breath would normally supply—resulting in a condition known as hypoxemia. Low blood oxygen levels can result in abnormal circulation and cause the following symptoms: DID YOU KNOW? On average, the • Shortness of breath air we breathe is • Headache comprised of roughly • Rapid breathing 78% nitrogen and • Dizziness only 21% oxygen! • Chest pain • High blood pressure What is Oxygen Therapy? Oxygen therapy is a treatment that delivers supplemental, medical-grade oxygen to patients who are unable to naturally absorb the amount of oxygen their bodies need. Supplemental oxygen allows the natural processes in our bodies to work more efficiently, decrease strain, and increase overall health. Although roughly 1 in 7 Americans will require oxygen therapy in their lifetime, recent innovations and advancements in technology make it easier than ever to supplement oxygen needs without sacrificing freedom and independence. Confused or overwhelmed? Let us help you! Our Product Specialists are standing by to answer questions and offer tips.(800) 515-8049 OXYGEN THERAPY 101 6 Types of Oxygen Delivery Systems Oxygen can be delivered to patients through several types of methods. Generally, new oxygen patients will be recommended or provided a system that covers basic oxygen needs but may not provide the patient with the flexibility their lifestyle demands. It’s important to understand the available types of oxygen delivery systems to make an informed decision and find a solution that will suit your medical condition, lifestyle, and budget. Oxygen Tanks Tanks of compressed oxygen gas are the most common method of oxygen therapy. While relatively inexpensive, oxygen tanks are limited by a finite capacity (the size of the tank) this can produce an issue for portability. This means, despite their prevalence as a therapy choice, oxygen tanks are extremely limiting for patients and only allow for travel over short distances without several cumbersome, backup tanks. It is also against FAA regulations to travel on an airplane with a compressed gas tank. Liquid Oxygen Systems Oxygen can be stored in a liquid form and converted to a gaseous state before patient delivery. While this approach has the benefit of lighter canisters it is also the most expensive option available as refills require authorized containers and personnel. Similar to traditional tanks, liquid oxygen also cannot be taken on an airplane and has a relatively short travel distance with ambulatory canisters only providing roughly 2-6 hours of oxygen depending on the prescribed flow rate and device used. Oxygen Concentrator Systems Oxygen concentrators extract oxygen from the surrounding air, concentrate it, and deliver it as pure, medical-grade level oxygen. No tanks or refills—all that is required for oxygen concentrators to operate is a source of power. This method is by far the most popular choice for patients that are new to oxygen or require oxygen while they sleep. Available as both stationary and (FAA-friendly) portable units, oxygen concentrators provide not only the most convenient method of oxygen delivery but also allow patients to enjoy life to the fullest without oxygen getting in the way! Confused or overwhelmed? Let us help you! Our Product Specialists are standing by to answer questions and offer tips.(800) 515-8049 OXYGEN THERAPY 101 7 Frequently Asked Questions Why do I need a prescription for oxygen? Medical-grade oxygen is treated as a medication, and just like any other medication, your doctor must prescribe it with specific instructions regarding how much to use and how often. A prescription typically includes the following information: • Specifics about oxygen usage/frequency • Recommended dosage (liters per minute) • Defined delivery device and settings Will I become dependent on oxygen? A common myth is that oxygen is addictive and by using supplemental oxygen, you will become more dependent upon it and subsequently weaken your natural ability to process oxygen. This is simply not true. Using supplemental oxygen will allow the natural processes in your body to work more efficiently, decrease excess strain, and increase your overall health. KEY TERMS Alveoli (al-VEE-o-lye) Tiny air sacs in the lungs. Hypoxia A medical condition in which patients are unable to take in the full amount of oxygen that each breath would normally supply. Long-Term Oxygen Well established as the standard form of treatment for patients with low Therapy oxygen levels in the blood. Pulse Oximeter A small device that clips on the finger to measure blood oxygen levels. This is the least intrusive method to measure blood oxygen. Hypoxemia An abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood. More specifically, it is oxygen deficiency in arterial blood. Confused or overwhelmed? Let us help you! Our Product Specialists are standing by to answer questions and offer tips.(800) 515-8049 Part Two Oxygen Concentrators Confused or overwhelmed? Let us help you! Our Product Specialists are standing by to answer questions and offer tips.(800) 515-8049 OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS 9 Oxygen Concentrator Systems Stationary or portable, all oxygen concentrators typically function similarly. The system purifies and concentrates DID YOU KNOW? the surrounding air to supply patients with an endless Oxygen concentrators supply of oxygen, so long as the oxygen concentrator is never require tank refills connected to power. Considering the clear advantages or replacements. over alternative delivery methods, the remainder of this guide will focus on oxygen concentrators, with an in-depth look at portable oxygen concentrators, specifically (page 14). Oxygen therapy doesn’t have to mean giving up favorite activities. With 1 in 7 Americans requiring it at some point in their lifetime, oxygen concentrator technology is continuing to advance, making units lighter, quieter, and more comfortable than ever. Confused or overwhelmed? Let us help you! Our Product Specialists are standing by to answer questions and offer tips.(800) 515-8049 OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS 10 How It Works Unlike traditional oxygen tanks, concentrator systems do not need to store oxygen, but instead, draw air from the patient’s surroundings to provide supplemental oxygen. To understand how this works, it helps to visualize an air conditioner but instead of cooling the air, oxygen concentrators compress and purify the air and remove any elements that may complicate breathing. Regardless of size, oxygen concentrators follow these steps to deliver oxygen to patients. The concentrator: 1. Pulls in air 2. Compresses the air, while a cooling mechanism reduces overheating 3. Removes nitrogen and other impurities via filter and sieve beds 4. Adapts delivery settings with an electronic interface 5. Delivers purified, medical-grade oxygen to the patient via a tube device placed in the nostrils (nasal cannula) Pure Oxygen 90%-95% Flow Meter Four Way Adjusting Selenoid Valve Valve Air Enters Pressure Regulator Motor & Compressor 80% Nitrogen 20% Oxygen Heat Exchanger Product Tank Surge Tank Molecular Seive