Oxygen
The market for oxygen therapy has grown immensely
over the past decade, with nearly 1.5 million people relying on supplemental
oxygen to address their medical needs. While tank delivery of oxygen
remains a viable market for HME providers, patients want to continue carrying
out their daily routines and need a product that allows them to stay on
the go. That’s where portable oxygen concentrators, and the companies who
maintain the machines, step in.
In just the past few years, portable oxygen concentrators have begun to
reflect the rapidly changing technology becoming available to HME providers
and their patients. Rather than waiting for maintenance issues to occur on
their machines, providers increasingly have the ability to remotely monitor
oxygen output, battery life and more through online platforms. Now, companies
are expanding wireless connectivity to POCs in the hopes of making
24/7 monitoring possible for more patients.
At the same time, manufacturers are focused on making the machines
lighter and sleeker for patients who want POCs to blend in with the rest of
their belongings. The demand is high for machines that can provide the right
mix of portability, battery life and tank capacity to fit patient lifestyles. If an
HME provider can guarantee all three, they can see revenue growth in this
key area. Here is a sampling of the latest products and services to hit the
oxygen therapy market:
Precision Medical
Live Active Five
Portable oxygen concentrator hopes to help customers 'live actively'
With Precision Medical’s new Live Active Five, a five-liter
portable oxygen concentrator, Precision Medical says
patients can now “live actively” by taking their POC as they
go about their daily lives. Due to its dual-curved body, users
can wear the product on their right or left hip. Its replaceable
lithium ion battery offers up to 6.5 hours of life and can be fully charged in two
hours. Clients can expect a straightforward user experience, as the Live Active
Five has a simple LCD screen with easy-to-understand language. Battery changes
are also a simple process because of convenient top access on the concentrator.
GCE Healthcare
Zen-O
POCs help patients stay active, provider stay informed
GCE Healthcare’s Zen-O and Zen-O lite portable oxygen
concentrators. give patients the increased freedom
and confidence they need to live active lifestyles.
Featuring Rate Responsive Therapy, the devices automatically
adjust to the needs of the patient maintaining
FiO2 levels as breath rate increases. In addition, GCE
Healthcare features Clarity Connected Care, a remote
monitoring system for the Zen-O POC. Clarity allows Home Oxygen Providers and
patients to monitor their devices on any platform anywhere in the world.
CAIRE Inc.
FreeStyle Comfort
Portable oxygen concentrator designed for wireless connectivity, easy travel
Manufactured by CAIRE Inc., the
FreeStyle Comfort is a lightweight,
5-setting pulse flow portable
oxygen concentrator with wireless
connectivity, proprietary sensitive
breath detection features, and
delivering a maximum output of
up to 1050 milliliters. Weighing
only 5 pounds and designed with
patient comfort in mind, it has an ergonomic, curved
shell, LCD display screen, and battery pack options
offering up to 8 hours of charge. Operational via wall
outlet power, motor vehicle power, or by rechargeable
battery power, the device is designed for easy
traveling and meets FAA guidelines for commercial
air flights. The FreeStyle Comfort can connect to the
CAIREview™ telehealth solution.
Breas USA
Vivo65
Vivo65 ventilator treats respiratory diseases in children and adults
The Vivo65 ventilator from Breas Medical provides continuous or intermittent ventilator support for individuals who require mechanical ventilation. It is suitable for use in hospitals, postacute care institutions and the home and is indicated for both adult and pediatric patients under 11 pounds. Due to an accurate volume delivery and responsive trigger system, the Vivo65 is a practical choice for pediatric treatment, according to the company. Its intuitive interface makes the device easy to use.
ResMed
Mobi
ResMed introduces its first portable oxygen concentrator
The Mobi, ResMed’s first POC, uses what the company has dubbed Pulse-Wave technology to deliver dosed oxygen and to adapt to changes in users’ breathing, automatically switching between active and resting modes. The Mobi also features one of the longest-lasting POC batteries with up to nine hours of battery life, and it can be charged and powered using a standard AC power outlet and. The total weight of the Mobi weighs in at 5.5 lbs. to suit active lifestyles.
Precision Medical
Live Active Five Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Precision Medical releases five-setting POC
The Live Active Five Portable Oxygen Concentrator delivers high oxygen purity on five pulse settings. With vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) technology, each sieve bed is regenerated each cycle, which helps providers eliminate frequent sieve bed replacements. The POC weighs 4.9 pounds, and the battery lasts up to six hours with a two-hour charge time.
Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare
10-Liter Oxygen Concentrator
DeVilbiss Combines Maneuverability and Optimal Oxygen Delivery
The 10-Liter Oxygen Concentrator from DeVilbiss is lightweight and compact, designed to provide easy maneuverability and optimal oxygen delivery for users with varying flow requirements. The device weighs 42 pounds and is equipped with a DeVilbiss Oxygen Sensing Device (OSD) to monitor produced oxygen. Additional device features include accessible patient controls, bright LEDs that can be seen from a distance, protected cannula fitting, auxiliary oxygen port for cylinder transfill system compatibility and a recessed humidifier nook to prevent damage.
GCE Group
Zen-O Portable Oxygen Concentrator
New POC for the U.S. Market Features Small Form Factor
The Zen-O Portable Oxygen Concentrator
provides up to 2LPM of
continuous flow oxygen as
well as 6 Pulse Flow settings
to ensure appropriate clinical
levels of oxygen for ambulatory patients.
The Zen-O also features field replaceable sieve beds for
lower total cost of operation for the home oxygen provider.
The Zen-O is a small, 10 lb. device that can be carried in
a shoulder bag or in a wheeled cart.
ResMed
AirView
Life support Ventilators Join Remote Patient Monitoring Network
ResMed has brought cloud connectivity and its remote
patient monitoring software – AirView – to its Astral
life support ventilators. Cloud connectivity enables
physicians and HMEs to access key patient data in the
cloud to better manage and improve the outcomes
of patients using life support ventilators at home.
ResMed’s network is secure and HIPAA compliant.
Clinicians have the option of accessing patient data
via AirView or through the Res Med Data Exchange,
where they may integrate their own electronic medical
records system with AirView.
CAIRE Inc.
AirSep FreeStyle and FreeStyle 5
Caire Unveils Redesigned FreeStyle POC
CAIRE Inc., a Chart Industries company, has redesigned
its AirSep FreeStyle and FreeStyle 5
portable oxygen concentrators with
several new enhancements: the power
supply connections to feature a sturdy
metal connector with no pins to align
and no release button to press. A new,
front-loading, user-replaceable battery
and improved battery life will help users
stay active longer and offers increased
convenience. The batteries still
re-charge on AC or DC, or by utilizing
an optional desktop charger, and now
have a built-in gauge that can alert the
user to its total charge available before use. In the looks department, the POCs
have received a new color palette of light grey with blue accents. The black
carrying bag includes a pouch for an additional battery and a new bottom
loading zipper enclosure.