Oxygen Concentrator Terms You Should Know

As you were researching oxygen concentrators, have you come across terms that made you wonder what they meant? Check out our list of oxygen concentrator terms to help you learn more about their features.

POC

POC stands for Portable Oxygen Concentrators. They are small, lightweight oxygen concentrators that you can take with you anywhere, even for long-distance travels. POCs also operate on batteries, so you don’t have to worry about always plugging it into a power outlet.

Pulse Mode

Mainly used on POCs, pulse mode dispenses oxygen in pulses or puffs, rather than a consistent stream of oxygen.

Continuous Flow Mode

As opposed to Pulse Mode, Continuous Flow Mode is a setting that allows concentrators to dispense a steady stream of oxygen according to the dosage setting needed.

Oxygen Concentration

This describes the purity of the oxygen delivered from the oxygen concentrator, and it’s measured by a percentage. Medical grade POCs tend to average 87-96% purity on all settings. The purity of oxygen can also be affected by different factors like elevation.

Bolus

Bolus can be considered the “puff of air” dispensed in a pulse dose. Many doctors and specialists will use the term bolus when referring to a pulse from a POC. This medical term refers to any single dose of medication delivered to a patient all at once. In this situation, it is medical oxygen.

FAA Approved

FAA is an acronym for Federal Aviation Administration. POCs will have an “FAA Approved” sticker, meaning the device is approved to be carried and used on most commercial flights to and from the United States. However, there are some airlines that may not allow the POC to be carried onto the flight. Check with the airline’s Terms and Conditions before booking your flight.

Pulse Oximetry

Pulse Oximetry is a test usually performed by your doctor to determine if you need oxygen therapy. It measures how much oxygen is in your blood and the result will be a percentage.

Cannula

A plastic tube that is attached to the nose to dispense oxygen.

LPM

LPM stands for liters per minute, and it gauges the steady stream of oxygen from your oxygen concentrator.

Portable Oxygen Systems

This refers to the various methods of receiving oxygen therapy. These methods include electronic through portable oxygen concentrators, cylinders with stationary home refill stations, and liquid and gas tanks. All of these variations of oxygen therapy can be carried in a bag or case.

Hopefully, this broadens your knowledge on oxygen concentrator terms so that you can understand the vernacular of your doctor and others when they talk about oxygen concentrators. Have any further questions regarding our inventory or portable oxygen concentrators in general? Contact us for any questions or advice.