Amidst the oxygen crisis brought upon by the unprecedented
second coronavirus wave, oxygen concentrators have emerged as the most-touted
medical devices for appropriate oxygen therapy. The medical device is capable
of providing a continuous supply of 5-10 liters of oxygen. Unlike oxygen
cylinders that store medical-grade oxygen manufactured by industrial units,
oxygen concentrators deliver pure oxygen by filtering the surrounding air. The
easy-to-use medical device is an ideal solution for people suffering from mild
respiratory distress having oxygen
saturation levels ranging between 88-92%. For nearly two
decades, Inogen has been blazing trails by introducing innovative and reliable
oxygen delivering technology with supreme quality, that has been instrumental
in saving countless lives of respiratory patients around the world.
Leading the evolution of portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) in
the market, Inogen has recently added a compact One G5 system to
the family of Inogen’s portable and user-friendly oxygen concentrators. The
next-gen device features advanced flow settings and extended battery life to
accommodate the varying needs of the consumers. While the pioneer company had
earlier focused on designing exclusive at-home oxygen concentrators, the latest
medical oxygen system is small, lightweight, and convenient enough to be
carried everywhere you go!
Inogen One G5 has been built on the characteristics of its
previous versions, One G3, and One G4, but designed with a “one-size-fits-all”
approach to cover most of your supplemental oxygen needs. The flow setting
capacity and battery life are the two primary updates introduced in the Inogen
One G5 oxygen concentrator with an intent to increase the user’s ability to get
more oxygen if needed along with increasing the functionality of the machine
for long hours without the need for charging the device very frequently. Both
the features allow users enhanced flexibility to perform activities of daily
life without interruption or constant equipment changes.
Pulse Flow Settings
While the pulse flow settings of Inogen One G3 can reach up to
five levels and those of Inogen One G4 up to three-level, the Inogen One G5 can
reach up to six flow
settings. The higher flow settings allow users to perform
exercises, which requires one to intake more oxygen than usual. If the oxygen
concentrator is unable to reach higher liter flows, the user might not be able
to perform exercises or have to use a stationary oxygen device for continuous
and optimal oxygen flow during the activity. Also, the high flow settings are
highly beneficial for emergencies where the user might require greater amounts
of oxygen until they seek proper medical treatment.
Long Battery Life
Patients who are dealing with any kind of respiratory distress
and using portable oxygen concentrators to manage their oxygen levels
understand the importance of battery life. Someone who is always on the go
cannot opt for oxygen concentrators with 5-6 hours battery life because it is
not possible to find a power source everywhere. Also, using the oxygen system
with low battery life can put additional mental stress to be more
extra-cautious, which can ruin your mood and lead to anxiety. But, thanks to
Inogen One G5, the user does not need to check their battery or charge the
device more frequently due to its 13 hours of battery life. Incorporating a
double battery, the device is perfectly fit for anyone who desires to lead a
fit and active life while being dependent on supplemental oxygen.
Intelligent Oxygen Delivery Technology
Powered with intelligent Oxygen Delivery technology, the new
Inogen One G5 is a revolutionary pulse dose oxygen concentrator that assists
patients in being quickly accustomed to oxygen therapy. The lightweight medical
device is extremely travel-friendly, and can be carried everywhere you go
whether on a plane, car, or during camping. The highly versatile and robust
Inogen concentrator offers patients the flexibility to enjoy a quiet and
restful night of sleep without interruption. Therefore, the technologically
advanced oxygen concentrator is an ideal solution to fulfill your therapeutic
needs in the most efficient way regardless of the setting used.
Detecting the breathing rate of the patients on a precise level,
the intelligent technology in the oxygen concentrator helps to regulate the
oxygen levels. If the user engages in any form of physical activity, the unit
detects it and starts delivering accurate and short bursts of oxygen to meet
the oxygen demands. Whereas during sleeping or resting position, the medical
device provides slower and large boluses of oxygen following the natural
breathing pattern of the user. This way, the user can get customized oxygen
therapy without doing anything. Also, the user does not require two different
units-one during the day and the other at night as the medical device has been
designed for 24/7 functioning.
Light-weight and Stylish
Carrying around bulky oxygen concentrators can be difficult and
limit your social gatherings. The new Inogen oxygen concentrator weighs only 5
pounds and measures 7.19 inches wide x 3.26 inches deep and 8.15 inches tall.
The lightweight design of the medical unit makes it extremely versatile for
transportation and helps the patient feel less isolated or embarrassed about
their medical condition. The modern and stylish design adds to the look and
feel of the oxygen concentrator and upgrades your social quotient. Since the
device has a noise level of only 39 decibels, the medical unit can be
conveniently placed in a social setting without attracting unwanted attention.
Free Mobile Application-Inogen Connect
The advanced oxygen concentrator comes with a dedicated mobile
application, known as Inogen Connect. The free and user-friendly application
provides users the ability to monitor the medical device through their android
or apple mobile devices. You can connect the Inogen system to your mobile
device, which displays information about the device in real-time such as
battery life, software updates, maintenance reminders, and settings. With
Inogen Connect, the user can also check their oxygen purity status and proactively
monitor column life status. One of the greatest advantages of using the
oxygen concentrator is that the device lets the user live life on their terms.
Instead of checking the POC frequently, one can easily monitor the status of
their device by looking at their smartphones.
Travel-Friendly Device
If you travel frequently through flights, then Inogen One G5 is
the perfect choice for you. Since the INOGEN One G5 has been approved by major
airlines, you do not need to get into a hassle for bringing the device onto the
plane. However, the user must carry a doctor’s note or prescription stating the
urgency to carry the device while traveling and contact the airline beforehand
about the concentrator for a smooth travel experience.
Other Alternatives
Invacare Platinum Portable Oxygen Concentrator
The Invacare Portable Oxygen Concentrator is ideal for
both short- and long-term conditions. The lightweight design of the device
makes it travel-friendly and comfortable to wear. The batteries of the medical
device can be easily recharged at home or in vehicle due to its multiple power
options. The device can be connected with Invacare’s Piccolo O2 mobile app,
which exhibits latest information about the device and user breathing status on
an android or iPhone device. The oxygen concentrator is water-resistant and
comes with an internal cushioning to prevent electrical components. You can
wear the device as a purse, messenger bag or even backpack. Built upon the Sensi-Pulse
technology, the oxygen concentrator delivers the optimal amount of oxygen according
to the settings as well as customizes the size of each bolus of oxygen
according to the changing breathing patterns so that the user always gets
prescribed oxygen dosage. The medical device weighs around 4.8 pounds
with a single battery, that can last up to 5 hours on setting 1 and required to
be charged for 2 hours 20 minutes. The Invacare device is very easy to
use and comes with a three-year warranty.
Philips Everflo
Designed for stationary use at home, Philips Everflo is a
low-maintenance and low-decibel oxygen concentrator. Due to its small design,
the device can be easily moved around the home with the help of wheels. Philips
EverFlo oxygen concentrator has a flow
rate of 0.5 to 5 liters per minute and an oxygen purity
of 93-96%. The
oxygen concentrator weighs around 14 kg and measures 23X15X9.5 inches.
Enabling a hassle-free operation, the green device delivers a consistent supply
of oxygen, which reduces repairs and the cost of maintenance. Incorporating Pressure
Swing Adsorption technology, the filter delivers 5 liters per minute of
oxygen flow without disruption.
AirSep Focus
One of the smallest portable oxygen concentrators in the market,
Airsep Focus is designed for active patients who require little supplemental
oxygen to carry out their daily activities. The AirSep Focus weighs
around 800 grams and
is palm sized. Inculcating Airsep’s
Ultra Sense technology, the device does not miss to detect a
breath and is highly sensitivity. The device is easy to use and smart to carry.
With flexible power options, the AirSep Focus works well with a car charger and
has a battery backup of 7 hours with an Airbelt.
The machine’s flow setting is limited up to ‘2 pulse setting’ and
cannot be set on ‘1 pulse setting’. Also, the device cannot be used directly
with PAP devices.
Conclusion
Choosing the right oxygen concentrator can make all the
difference to the quality of your oxygen therapy. Buying the most expensive or
advanced version should not be your priority, instead consider the oxygen
output, battery life, size and weight, power options, and brand value to choose
the one model that works excellent for you.
According to TechSci India research
report, “India Oxygen Concentrators
Market By Type (Portable v/s Stationary) By Technology
(Pulse Flow v/s Continuous Flow) By Application (Bronchitis, Pneumonia, COVID-19,
Lung Cancer, Others) By End Users (Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Care
Centres, Home Care) By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, FY2027”, India
oxygen concentrators market is anticipated to grow with a double-digit CAGR
during the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to the rising
incidences of COVID-19 cases and other respiratory failure causing diseases.
According to another
Techsci research report on “Global Oxygen
Concentrators Market By Type
(Portable v/s Stationary) By Technology (Pulse Flow v/s Continuous Flow) By
Application (Bronchitis, Pneumonia, COVID-19, Lung Cancer, Others) By End Users
(Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Care Centers, Home Care) By Region,
Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2026”, the global oxygen concentrators
market is anticipated to register an impressive CAGR during the forecast
period, owing to increasing instances of respiratory disorders and rising cases
of COVID-19.