Using Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator

*Please note: This slide show is meant to be a representation only. No specific brand of oxygen equipment is being promoted or endorsed. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

What is oxygen therapy?

If you have a lung problem such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary fibrosis, you might have low oxygen levels. If so, you may need extra oxygen, or oxygen therapy.

Oxygen therapy is given using special equipment. This animation tells you about using a portable oxygen concentrator.

What is a portable oxygen concentrator?

A portable oxygen concentrator is a machine that turns room air into oxygen. You breathe in the oxygen through a tube (cannula) that connects from the machine to your nose.

The air we breathe contains just 21 percent oxygen, along with other gases. An oxygen concentrator absorbs oxygen from the air and creates a blend that is almost pure oxygen.

Why might I need a portable oxygen concentrator?

If you have a condition that prevents you from getting enough oxygen from the air, you can use an oxygen concentrator to get extra, or supplemental, oxygen to bring your oxygen levels up to normal.

How does a portable oxygen concentrator help me?

A portable oxygen concentrator is small and usually light enough to carry.² It can help provide you with extra oxygen (oxygen therapy) while you are outside of the house. It is powered by a battery so it can be used while away by plugging into power outlets.³

You may use a stationary oxygen concentrator at home and a portable concentrator when you go out.

Parts of a portable oxygen concentrator

Your portable oxygen concentrator includes the machine and a device called a cannula that fits in your nostrils to deliver oxygen. The cannula connects to a length of tubing. The other end of the tube connects to a nozzle on your concentrator.

More about your portable oxygen concentrator

Your concentrator runs on a battery. It may also have a backup battery. These need to be charged regularly.⁴ You can recharge them at home or plug them into the outlet in a car.⁵

The concentrator also has a filter to clean the air, a flow meter to measure the flow of oxygen,⁵ and controls to set the flow. It also has an electronic display and alarms to let you know of any problems.⁵ Ask your oxygen supplier if you need to replace any parts or send them back to the manufacturer for service.

Using your portable oxygen concentrator

To set up your portable oxygen concentrator, check that the battery is charged.⁵ When it is, you can turn the machine on and off with a button.

Make sure the tubing is not blocked.⁶

Adjusting the flow of oxygen

The amount of oxygen flowing from the concentrator can be adjusted. If you feel like you are not getting enough, let your health care provider know. Also, ask your provider about using a finger pulse oximeter to measure your oxygen levels.

Portable oxygen concentrators are smaller and lighter than stationary models and deliver less oxygen.⁷

The difference between pulse and continuous flow

Many portable oxygen concentrators give oxygen in pulses, so you only receive it when you breathe in.7 Pulse setting numbers are NOT the same as continuous flow (liters per minute) settings!

Some portable concentrators can deliver continuous flows, but these are relatively low, about 3 liters per minute or less. If your doctor prescribes a higher flow, a portable concentrator may not provide enough oxygen for you.⁸

Connecting the tubing

To connect the tubing, place one end over the nozzle on the concentrator. Gently press down until the tube end is securely on the nozzle. The tubing must be connected firmly enough to stay in place, even when you move around.⁹ You may want to ask a caregiver to help.

Be careful when plugging in the tubing and power adapter. It is possible for these connections to break.⁴

Replacing the filter

Some portable oxygen concentrators have filters you can replace yourself. An alarm may tell you when it is time.¹⁰ A part of your concentrator called the sieve bed must be cleaned by a service technician about every two years.¹⁰

Handling problems with your portable oxygen concentrator

If your oxygen concentrator's batteries do not hold a charge as long as they used to, they may need replacing.⁴

An alarm may flash or sound if the sieve beds need replacing.⁴ Your supplier can help with this.

If the tubing or the adapter do not seem to be working, check for kinks in the tubing and damaged connections. Contact your supplier if something seems broken. The concentrator may still be under warranty.⁴

Traveling with your portable oxygen concentrator

On trips, you can avoid problems by taking an adapter that plugs into your car's outlet⁸ and carrying backup batteries when traveling by plane, bus, or train. If you plan to travel by plane, contact the airline well in advance to learn what they allow you to bring and use.¹¹ You can also ask your supplier about how to get the most battery life from the concentrator on each charge.¹²

In case of problems, know who to contact at the company that supplies your oxygen. You may want to have more than one way to contact them.

Living well with a portable oxygen concentrator

Your portable oxygen concentrator may help you do more of what you want to do while on the go.  Like with any medical device, there are pros and cons to its use. Talk with your doctor about whether a portable oxygen concentrator is a good fit for your lifestyle and your oxygen needs.

References

1. American Thoracic Society. Oxygen therapy. Available at https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/oxygen-therapy.php. Accessed January 3, 2022.
2. Hardavella G, Karampinis I, Frille A, et al. Oxygen devices and delivery systems. Breathe 2019;15:e108-3116.
3. Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Oxygen basics. Available at https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/patients-caregivers/oxygen-therapy/what-is-oxygen-therapy. Accessed December 29, 2021.
4. COPD Foundation. COPD360 Social. Maintaining your portable oxygen concentrator. January 30, 2020. Available at https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/COPD-Digest/Article/387/Maintaining-Your-Portable-Oxygen-Concentrator.aspx. Accessed January 11, 2022.
5. American Lung Association. Getting started with a portable oxygen concentrator [video]. March 11, 2020. Available at https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy/home-oxygen-concentrator. Accessed December 29, 2021.
6. American Lung Association. Using oxygen at home. Available at https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy/using-oxygen-at-home. Updated July 21, 2020. Accessed January 3, 2022.
7. Chest Foundation. Complete guide to oxygen therapy. Available at https://foundation.chestnet.org/lung-health-a-z/oxygen-therapy/. Accessed January 11, 2022.
8. Branson RD. Oxygen therapy in COPD. Respiratory Care 2018;63(6):734-748. doi 10.4187/respcare.06312
9. American Lung Association. Getting started with oxygen? Updated July 21, 2020. Available at https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy/getting-started-with-oxygen. Accessed December 29, 2021.
10. Ridl, S. Maintaining your portable oxygen concentrator. Available at https://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/maintaining-your-portable-oxygen-concentrator/. Accessed January 11, 2022.
11. American Lung Association. Traveling with oxygen. Updated July 21, 2020. Available at https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy/traveling-with-oxygen. Accessed January 11, 2022.
12. American Association for Respiratory Care and Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Why did my provider prescribe supplemental oxygen? August 2017. Available at https://pulmonaryfibrosis-legacy.ae-admin.com/life-with-pf/pff-educational-resources/patient-education-materials. Accessed January 4, 2022.