Comparing POCs

I have owned an EverFlo home oxygen concentrator,  Inogen One G3 with 4 settings, an Eclipse 5, and a liquid oxygen system, and have tested the LPM or setting on all of them.  In less than a year, I knew the EverFlo put out more oxygen on 3 LPM than the G3 did on a 3 setting.   I continued to play tennis and bought an electric bike to help me stay active.  My blood oxygen levels were often in the 70s and 80s when active but would quickly climb back to the high 80s. I tired easily, and after tennis my legs could hurt.  It is hard to stay active when not getting the needed oxygen. Remaining active was healthier than sitting around. 

Compare the ml of oxygen supplied to each breath for the G3, Eclipse 5, and continuous flow oxygen on charts to the right, and it is easy to see why settings have very little meaning.

 ---------------------------------

Inogen

The EverFlo was my home oxygen, and the Inogen One G3 was my source of mobile oxygen from late 2014 to the start of 2018.  Late in 2014, I took a walk test to qualify for a handicapped parking permit and needed 3 LPM to hold my blood oxygen level in the low to mid-80s.  Deep down, I knew the G3 wouldn’t provide 4 LPM of oxygen but wanted to believe Imogen’s claims that it would.  In late 2014 I bought the Inogen One G3 and used it until Medicare began paying for my oxygen in early 2018.

The information to the right is put out by Inogen and strongly implies that Inogen One settings are the same as LPM on their pocs.  Don’t believe it.  My G3 poc lasted well over two years.  I could sleep with it, and it was reliable.  Just remember that settings are not equal to LPM, and the only way to know if it a poc will meet your needs is to try it!

---------------------------------

Eclipse 5

I used an Eclipse 5 for three months at the beginning of 2018, and it opened my eyes to what more oxygen could do.  I even played tennis with it on my back.  I could play better tennis with it on my back than I could with the G3, but it was just too heavy.  After three months, I changed DME because they could supply me with the Respironics UltraFill Home oxygen system.  In 2020 I bought an Eclipse 5. They are good machines and make travel a lot easier.   I can sleep with it on 3 LPM Continuous flow or use a pulse setting.  I can charge it on 110 or in my car.  I can shop with it in a cart or walk for exercise.  I can take it to a restaurant and plug it in.

When I test Eclipse 5 settings against the 99.5% pure continuous flow oxygen, the settings are close to LPM.

Unlike Inogen, the Eclipse 5 tells you, “The pulse dose(bolus) is not equal to LPM.”

 

Contact   hors.sens1@gmail.com
Copyright © 2022 Gerald Miller. All Rights Reserved.