Oxygen Therapy for Improved Lung Function
Oxygen Therapy for Improved Lung Function
Author: www.MedAME.com
Oxygen Therapy for Improved Lung Function
When people need to be on oxygen they must have a source that’s reliable. Some of these people can go for a period of time without their supplemental oxygen but others must have access to it at all times in order to survive. These individuals can range from elderly people with emphysema to much younger patients with chronic heart and lung ailments. If you need supplemental oxygen or if you care for someone who does, chances are you worry about whether they have everything that they need and whether they have a reliable system to provide oxygen for them without failing or breaking down. There are several brands of oxygen concentrators out there for sale, and it’s important to get one of the best ones so that you won’t be fearful of running out of oxygen or having a system that does not produce at a high enough flow rate for the needs that you have.
The Invacare Platinum XL II 5-Liter Oxygen Concentrator is one of the best and most reliable choices on the market today. It comes in two styles – a standard model for around $1165 and an upgraded model for just over $1300, both of which come with a limited warranty for five years. The best thing about the warranty, however, is that there is no hour limit on the compressor. In other words, it could be allowed to run continuously for the full five years and would still be covered by the warranty. This is a great benefit for people who must use the oxygen often and therefore operate the compressor frequently. It is a limited warranty, though, so it’s important to read everything thoroughly and know exactly what’s covered and what’s not to make sure that you understand everything about the machine.
The Invacare oxygen concentrator is also completely compatible with the HomeFill II Oxygen Filling System and is extremely quiet. It has a proprietary, spring-mounted compressor and comes in at a noise level of only 50 dB. The top handle and the bottom recesses of the system allow for easy handling and because it has an upgraded compressor the time before preventative maintenance is required is longer than it would be on most other brands. In order to help make maintenance and cleaning easier the Invacare oxygen concentrator also has a side door to help a person reach the inlet filter and the diagnostics. The internal components are accessed through removing only four cabinet screws and the system runs on a standard 110 volt outlet, meaning no special wiring is required. The oxygen output of the machine is between 87% and 95% at all flow rates, providing enough oxygen for almost anyone’s needs.
If the 5-Liter oxygen concentrator is not enough, there is also a 10-Liter model. This model provides up to 10 liters of oxygen a minute to help patients who require a very high flow. It only weighs two pounds more than the 5-Liter model and costs around $1000 more, but it can provide enough oxygen for even the most severe patients. Most patients don’t fall into this category but there are certainly some who do, and their very lives could depend on whether they get the amount of supplemental oxygen that they need. The 10-Liter model is also a very attractive alternative to someone who doesn’t want to use one of the liquid systems but still needs something that will provide them with the strong flow rate that they require. In addition to the five-year compressor warranty that the 5-Liter model has, the 10-Liter model also offers a warranty of three years on all of the other components of the machine.
The sound level of the 10-Liter model is just 8 dB louder and the flow rate is the same, at 87% to 95%. Both operate in the same way, need the same kind of maintenance, and have the same basic dimensions. The difference between the two machines and which one a person would want to buy would come down to how much oxygen that person needed on a minute by minute basis. Needing a flow rate of 10 liters per minute would require the larger and more expensive model, as the smaller one wouldn’t be able to produce that amount. If you need oxygen, you should check with your doctor to be sure exactly what your needs are currently and what they’re expected to be within the next few years, so you can be sure to get the right oxygen concentrator to meet all your needs.
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