A portable oxygen concentrator is a small device that draws oxygen from the immediate environment for delivery to patients that require oxygen therapy.
Do many patients wonder if there is there a portable continuous flow oxygen concentrator?
Yes, if there are many models and brands of portable continuous flow oxygen concentrators, the best known are Inogen, Phillips (Respironics), Invacare, AirSep, O2-Concepts-LLC.
Do you need a prescription for oxygen?
To buy an oxygen concentrator, you need a prescription from your doctor stating your oxygen level.
The FDA sets the rules on the sale of prescriptions, and at this time, oxygen concentrators are one of the medical devices for which the FDA requires a prescription.
This is to ensure that proper care has been taken when selling you an oxygen machine that is suitable for your needs, and a prescription is the only evidence we have of exactly what those needs are.
Can you get oxygen without a doctor prescription?
The oxygen concentrator you buy and use is also largely determined by your prescription, which is why you may have completely different needs than your friend who also uses supplemental oxygen, even if you both have a respiratory condition.
Several important health indicators are included in the supplemental oxygen prescription that results from a pulse oximetry test and an arterial blood gas test.
Oxygen therapy at home
Some people who require oxygen therapy only need it when they exercise, while others only need it while they sleep, and still others need it for a few hours a day no matter what they are doing.
Some people need continuous flow oxygen, while others only need pulse doses. Exactly what kind of dose you need, how many hours a day you need it, and where your doctor determines.
The smallest oxygen concentrator can dispense 0.5 to 2 LPM (liters per minute) of continuous flow oxygen and can also be used with a humidifier.
Portable Oxygen Concentrator continuous Flow
Instead of scheduling regular refills or replacements for tanks, a portable oxygen concentrator takes in ambient air and sends it through a filtration process to produce medical-grade quality oxygen.