1 OXYGEN, OXYGEN FAQs



What are the benefits of oxygen therapy?

Numerous studies have shown that COPD patients who use supplemental oxygen live longer and have more active lives than individuals not receiving oxygen. Oxygen therapy is based on the premise that all human cells require sufficient levels of oxygen to function properly. Exercise is often easier for individuals receiving supplemental oxygen because more oxygen is getting to the muscles. Receiving oxygen also helps to reverse the long-term effects of oxygen deficiency on the heart. Oxygen therapy has also been known reduce sleep disruption while also improving concentration and memory levels.

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How does an Oxygen Concentrator work?

An Oxygen Concentrator uses the ambient air, which is normally 80% nitrogen and only 20% Oxygen. The oxygen concentrator separates the two components by using zeolite granules to selectively absorb nitrogen from the compressed air. The compressor raises the air pressure to about 20-lbs per square inch (P.S.I). The compressed air is introduced into one of the canisters containing zeolite granules where nitrogen is selectively absorbed leaving the residual oxygen available for patient use. After about 20 seconds the supply of compressed air is automatically diverted to the second canister where the process is repeated enabling the output of oxygen continue uninterrupted. While the pressure in the second canister is at 20 P.S.I. the pressure in the first canister is reduced to zero. This allows nitrogen to be released from the zeolite and returned into the atmosphere. The zeolite is then regenerated and ready for the next cycle. By alternating the pressure in the two canisters so that first one and then the other is at 20 P.S.I., a constant supply of oxygen is produced while the zeolite is continually being regenerated. Individual units have an output of up to five litres per minute with an oxygen concentration of up to 95%.

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What is Zeolite?

The word 'zeolite' is Greek in origin and means 'boiling stones' as natural zeolites visibly lose water when heated. Zeolite is an inorganic porous material having a highly regular structure of pores and chambers that allows some molecules to pass through, and causes others to be either excluded, or broken down. It is in many ways, the inorganic equivalent of organic enzymes, many of which also have specific sized chambers that trap chemicals within our bodies, holding them where they either break down, or react with specific chemicals. Zeolite has many uses.

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Who uses O2 concentrators? COPD Patients.

An estimated 11 million Americans suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an illness with disabling symptoms, high cost of care, and substantial mortality. COPD is an obstructive airway disease that is characterized by a reduction noted on the individual's pulmonary function study. The term COPD is often applied to a family of diseases, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and alpha 1-antitrypsin disease. Currently, therapeutic interventions can slow the progression of these diseases, but they cannot stop or reverse it.

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Do I need a doctor’s prescription to receive oxygen therapy?

Oxygen concentrators are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a prescription from a physician must be issued to receive oxygen therapy. Your physician will order a blood test to determine what your oxygen level is. The prescription will indicate the flow rate of how much oxygen you need per minute (liters per minute or LPM) and when you need to use oxygen. Many websites will allow you to fax your physician’s prescription for oxygen therapy.

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What methods are used to supply home oxygen?

There are 3 types of systems available for the supply of oxygen:
  • Compressed Gas - this is oxygen stored under pressure in a cylinder equipped with a regulator that controls the flow rate.
  • Liquid Oxygen - is oxygen stored as extremely cold liquid in a vessel very much like a thermos. The liquid converts to gas upon release and you breathe it in the same as compressed gas.
  • The third type of home oxygen system is the Oxygen Concentrator. An oxygen concentrator is an electrically powered device that separates oxygen from the room air, concentrates and delivers it at your prescribed rate. This system is less expensive than liquid oxygen and eliminates the need for re-supply of oxygen cylinders.


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What is an Oxygen Concentrator?

A portable oxygen concentrator, also called an oxygen generator, is a unit that is used to provide oxygen therapy for a patient at substantially higher concentrations than those of ambient air, used as an alternative to tanks of compressed oxygen. Oxygen concentrators are also used to provide an economical source of oxygen in industrial processes. I want to travel with my oxygen. What do I do? The first thing you need to do is consult with your physician and find out if you need continuous flow and at what liter flow and can you tolerate pulse dose oxygen both when awake and asleep.

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What is pulse flow oxygen?

Pulse oxygen is intermittent flow of oxygen that as you breathe in through your nose activates a circuit that gives you a pulse of oxygen. It is not continuous your mouth usually needs to be closed for this to operate correctly

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What is continuous flow oxygen?

This is the norm for many years and is a continuous flow at all times and remains constant regardless of whether you mouth breathe or not. My doctor says I can use pulse dose while awake, do you have units that can do this? If you can use pulse during your waking hours we have these types of units available. My doctor says I can use pulse during the day but not at night do you have units that can do this? Then you must have a continuous flow concentrator available for traveling at night, like one of our Oxlife portable oxygen concentrators. My doctor says I need oxygen all the time. Then you need to look at the Oxlife concentrators. They are the smallest, lightest, portable oxygen concentrators with 12 volt power for your car.

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How difficult is it to use oxygen during travel?

It is quite easy. We have some battery powered concentrators, if you are capable of pulse oxygen also we offer the OxLife concentrators which weighs as little as 28 lbs with an easy roll Go2 cart which can also be used off the 12 volt system of your car or your house. The advantage of the OxLife machines is that they are very economical compared to the battery powered models. Example is if you are currently on cylinders and you wish to travel if you use the Oxlife in the car and in hotel that leaves the portable cylinders for going to the restaurant or store. This making the cylinders last much longer.

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Is the Inogen One the right oxygen therapy device for me?

Your physician, respiratory therapist, or home health care provider will provide you with guidance as to which device best suits your oxygen therapy needs. The Inogen One is not intended for all oxygen patients. If your oxygen therapy prescription is between 1-5 liters per minute, talk to your physician to see if the Inogen One is right for you.

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Can I use a portable oxygen concentrator in my car?

Yes, there are newly designed portable oxygen concentrators on the market like the SeQual Eclipse or Inogen One that are perfect for automobile travel. You can use rechargeable batteries or simply plug the unit into the car’s accessory outlet (lighter). The Eclipse or Inogen portable oxygen concentrators can be placed out of the way, behind the front seat, allowing you to travel freely.

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Can I take a portable oxygen concentrator on an airplane?

Yes, theFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a select group of portable oxygen concentrators for air travel, including the Inogen One and the SeQual Eclipse. Be certain to check with your air carrier first because not all airlines allow portable oxygen concentrators onboard. Check with your airlines website to see if they allow these units and what their requirements are. Most air carriers have a form that must be filled out prior to departure and must include your physician’s prescription.

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During Your Flight

When you find your seat, locate the power port, if available. If your seat does not have a power port or if you have difficulty plugging in your Mobile Power Charger, ask a flight attendant for assistance. You must remove the battery from the concentrator when operating the Inogen One using an aircraft power port. During taxi, takeoff and landing, stow your Inogen One under the seat in front of you. Your Inogen One will fit upright under most airline seats. However, if it doesn't fit you may turn it on its side. It is not necessary to turn off your Inogen One during taxi, takeoff and landing if your physician's written statement requires you receive oxygen during these periods. When you are traveling with the Inogen One and are not planning on using it during the flight, remove the battery from the concentrator.

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After Your Flight

Remember to recharge additional batteries you may have used prior to your next flight. Arrange for the delivery or pick up of your backup oxygen supply. Have Fun. Enjoy your independence.

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Planning Your Flight

You must obtain a signed statement from your physician that includes:
  • Your ability to see/hear alarms and respond appropriately
  • When oxygen use is necessary (all or a portion of the trip)
  • Maximum flow rate corresponding to the pressure in the cabin under normal operating conditions
    • The statement shown above is only a template. Some airlines may require that the statement obtained from your physician be printed on his/her official letterhead. This statement needs to be kept with you at all times during your flight. A new statement will not be necessary each time you fly, but the statement should be available during every flight.
    When flying with the Inogen One you must inform the airline in advance that you will be using your Inogen One onboard the aircraft.
    Some airlines may equip their aircraft with onboard electrical power. You may have an opportunity to request a seat with a power port which can be used to power your Inogen One. However, availability varies by airline, type of aircraft and class of service. You should check with the airline for availability and always plan on having sufficient battery power for the duration of your flight, plus a conservative estimate of unanticipated delays.
    Because aircraft use different power port configurations, your Mobile Power Charger includes two DC power adapters - a commonly used cigarette lighter adapter, and a less common four-pin adapter. Since it is difficult to determine which type of power supply your aircraft will have, it's a good idea to keep both adapters available when flying.
    If you will be using your Inogen One during the flight, you may not sit in an emergency exit row or in a seat that restricts other passengers' access to an emergency exit or aisle of the passenger compartment.

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    Before Your Flight
    Here are some things to keep in mind the day your flight departs:
  • Ensure your Portable Concentrator is clean, in good condition and free from damage or other signs of excessive wear or abuse.
  • Bring enough fully charged batteries with you to power your Portable Concentrator for the duration of the flight plus a conservative estimate of unanticipated delays.
  • Contact your equipment provider to obtain additional Portable Concentrator Batteries.
  • CAUTION Airlines may not be equipped to provide backup oxygen.


  • Regional/Commuter airlines do not offer onboard electrical power. If your travel plans call for flights on regional airlines, you will need sufficient battery power for the duration of the flight, plus a conservative estimate of unanticipated delays.


  • Arrive at the airport early. Airport security screening personnel may require extra time to inspect your Portable Concentrator.


  • While waiting to board your flight, you may be able to conserve battery power by using the AC Power Supply to power your Portable Concentrator from an electrical outlet in the airport terminal.


  • You must inform the airline you will be using your Portable Concentrator. Have your physician letter with you and ready for inspection if requested.


  • Important Information Regarding Security Screening of POCs.


  • Recently heightened security measures have prompted questions surrounding the use of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) onboard commercial flights. According to the Department of Homeland Security, POCs have been and are still allowed through security checkpoints once they have been screened. All disability-related equipment, aids, and devices continue to be allowed through security checkpoints once cleared through screening.


  • Other disabilityand medically related items permitted beyond the checkpoint include: wheelchairs; scooters; crutches; canes; walkers; prosthetic devices; casts; support braces; support appliances; service animals; any and all diabetes related medication, equipment, and supplies; orthopedic shoes; exterior medical devices; assistive/adaptive equipment; augmentation devices; ostomy supplies; medications and associated supplies; hearing aids; cochlear implants; tools for wheelchair disassembly/reassembly; personal supplemental oxygen; CPAP machines; respirators; baby apnea monitors; Braille note takers; slate and stylus; tools for prosthetic devices; and any other disability-related equipment and associated supplies.


  • TSA’s Check point Security Screening Procedures for persons with disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature have NOT changed as a result of the increased security measures.


  • People with disabilities, those with prosthetic devices, and those with medical conditions are not required to remove their shoes during this heightened security level nor has this been the case during routine travel times. Those who keep their shoes on will be subjected to additional screening that includes a visual/physical and explosive trace detection sampling of their footwear.


  • Travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature may want to consider the following:


  • Arrive at the airport well in advance, 2-3 hours prior to flight


  • Follow all published rules on carry-on items and medications


  • Bring documentationon medications, devices, medical condition where possible. This is not a requirement and will not exempt a passenger from the screening process.


  • Pack medicationsin a clear bag separate from other carry-on items/bags


  • Ensure medicallyprescribed medication bottles (name on bottle) match your ticket


  • Exercise patiencewith the lines, delays, and stringent screening procedures


  • For additional information on traveling with your Inogen One, Sequal Eclipse Or Respironics Ever Go please contact 1 Oxygen Customer Care at 888-681-6085. It is also recommend you refer to the TSA website for any policy changes before you travel. Guidance and tips to travelers with disabilities are located on the Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration website at: http://www.tsa.gov.


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    Currently, the following airlines allow the use of the Inogen One onboard their aircraft.
  • Air France
  • Air New Zealand
  • Air Tahiti Nui
  • Airtran Airways
  • Alaska Airlines
  • Alitalia
  • All Nippon Airways
  • Allegiant Air
  • Aloha Airlines
  • America West
  • American Airlines
  • ATA Airlines
  • Avianca Airlines
  • Champion Air
  • Continental Airlines
  • Delta
  • Express Jet Airlines
  • Frontier
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • Horizon Air
  • Iceland Air
  • Jet Blue
  • LTU International Airlines
  • Lufthansa
  • Mango
  • Midwest Airlines
  • Northwest Airlines
  • Qantas
  • SAS Airlines
  • Singapore Airlines
  • South African Airways
  • Southwest
  • Sterling Airlines
  • Sun Country
  • Swiss International Air Lines
  • US Airways
  • Virgin Atlantic Airways
  • WestJet Airlines


    • Check with your airline to make sure they will permit the use of your Inogen One. Some airlines may not permit the use of portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One onboard their aircraft. You may also contact AMSR'S Customer Care (1-888-681-6085) for assistance. Arrange for a backup source of oxygen for use at your final destination. Your home healthcare provider will be able to help you coordinate your backup oxygen supply.

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