| When a doctor prescribes oxygen therapy for a | | | | hours with two batteries installed). When planning |
| patient, the patient often feels like their freedom | | | | for an airline trip, keep in mind that most airlines |
| is inhibited and finds it difficult to enjoy a lifestyle | | | | require that passengers carrying portable oxygen |
| they had grown accustomed to. Since airlines do | | | | concentrators have enough batteries for twice |
| not permit the use of oxygen tanks, patients who | | | | the duration of the flight, as well as one extra |
| are used to frequent travel find themselves in | | | | battery. |
| need of a portable oxygen concentrator. | | | | The Inogen One oxygen concentrator, while the |
| Portable oxygen concentrators are not cheap; | | | | first of its kind to receive FAA approval, pales in |
| often costing up to five thousand dollars | | | | comparison to the Respironics EverGo and the |
| depending on the features the patient needs, they | | | | Sequal Eclipse 2. Not only does it not offer any |
| are considered to be a large purchase. But with so | | | | advantage as far as size, but the battery life is |
| many different models available, such as the | | | | less than either of the other two as well. Most |
| Respironics EverGo, Sequal Eclipse 2, and Invacare | | | | importantly, the Inogen One is only designed to |
| XPO2, how does one decide which one will be the | | | | operate at altitudes of up to 4000 feet, making it |
| best portable oxygen concentrator for their own | | | | unsuitable for air travel despite its claims that it |
| personal needs? | | | | was designed for airline use. Using the Inogen One |
| Pulse vs. Continuous Flow | | | | aboard an airplane can result in lack of suitable |
| The most important feature to consider when | | | | oxygen for patients and pains in the chest and |
| purchasing a portable concentrator is how much | | | | lungs. |
| oxygen is delivered and how it is delivered. | | | | Overall Size and Portability |
| Typically patients receive oxygen in pulse mode, | | | | If you're going to be traveling with an oxygen |
| meaning that the air is delivered in puffs as | | | | concentrator, obviously you want most |
| opposed to a continuous stream. The Respironics | | | | lightweight, compact unit available that is going to |
| EverGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator delivers | | | | give you the performance that you need. The |
| more oxygen in pulse mode than any other model | | | | Sequal Eclipse 2 is significantly larger than its |
| - up to 1.05 liters of oxygen per minute. Easy to | | | | competitors, but this can be attributed to Sequal's |
| use touch screen controls allow the user to easily | | | | ability to provide oxygen in a continuous flow. It |
| adjust the settings as needed while the | | | | does, however, include a cart to eliminate the |
| over-the-shoulder bag and rolling cart make | | | | need to carry the unit, and also offers the |
| transportation of the device easy. | | | | optional Eclipse Pak Accessory Bag which attaches |
| Many patients who require oxygen be delivered in | | | | to the cart and can hold extra batteries, chargers, |
| a continuous flow have found themselves unable | | | | and other accessories. |
| to travel because of their breathing needs. The | | | | The Respironics EverGo is lightweight and includes |
| Sequal Eclipse 2 gives those patients the freedom | | | | both a shoulder bag and a rolling cart. The |
| to travel by being the only portable oxygen | | | | batteries used in the EverGo are slim in design |
| concentrator to offer oxygen in both pulse and | | | | and similar to the batteries used in laptop |
| continuous flow settings. Heavier and bulkier than | | | | computers. Weighing approximately ten pounds |
| most of its competitors, the Sequal Eclipse 2 | | | | with two batteries installed, the EverGo can be |
| includes a lightweight cart for easy transportation. | | | | carried over the shoulder when boarding airplanes |
| Best off all, because of its ability to run on AC | | | | and is small enough in size to be tucked under the |
| power and the continuous flow oxygen delivery | | | | seat in front of you. |
| mode, the Sequal Eclipse 2 can be used for both | | | | The smallest and most affordable portable |
| travel and in the home, eliminating the need for | | | | oxygen concentrator available is the Invacare |
| oxygen tanks or bulky home concentrators. | | | | XPO2. Able to operate at altitudes up to 10000 |
| O2 Concentrators for Airline Travel | | | | feet, the Invacare XPO2 weighs approximately 6 |
| For those who prefer to travel by airplane, it is | | | | pounds and significantly smaller than both the |
| best to choose a portable oxygen concentrator | | | | Respironics Evergo and the Inogen One. It comes |
| that is not only FAA approved for air travel, but | | | | in a handy carry bag and features simple controls |
| offers enough battery power to last through a | | | | for easy operation. The Invacare XPO2 has not |
| long flight or a possible flight delay and can handle | | | | received FAA approval as of July 2008, but you |
| the thin oxygen in airplane passenger | | | | can check with your airline for the most |
| compartments. | | | | up-to-date portable oxygen concentrator |
| Airline cabins are typically pressurized to simulate | | | | information. |
| oxygen levels found at 8000 feet above sea level. | | | | When purchasing a new oxygen therapy device, it |
| The Sequal Eclipse 2 and the Respironics EverGo | | | | is important to look at all of the features and |
| portable oxygen concentrators, both of which are | | | | benefits of each model while taking into |
| FAA approved, are designed to function at | | | | consideration how you will be using it and what |
| altitudes of 8000 feet or more, which enables the | | | | your oxygen needs are. Be sure to carefully |
| user to still get the amount of oxygen they need | | | | consider the models available before purchasing. |
| throughout the flight. This ability also makes them | | | | However, regardless of what model you choose, |
| ideal for visiting places with higher elevations. The | | | | you are sure to enjoy the freedom of being able |
| Respironics Evergo, however, offers longer | | | | to travel in ways that, several years ago, were |
| battery life than the Sequal Eclipse 2 (up to 8 | | | | not possible for patients requiring oxygen therapy. |