Care and Maintenance of Oxygen Equipment

When To Clean & Replace Your POC Parts

Before we go into more detail, you should aim to clean or replace parts of your portable oxygen concentrator according to the schedule below.

How to Care for Inogen Batteries

Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrator units come with a single lithium-ion battery. To sustain the life of your battery and ensure optimal performance of your Inogen POC, make sure you follow the guidelines below:

• Only use Inogen batteries: Each Inogen POC uses a specific battery. Do not use 3rd-party batteries.
  Note: The G4 and Rove 4 use the same batteries, except the Rove 4 Intermediate battery is exclusive to the Inogen Rove 4, as do the G5 and Rove 6.
• Keep your battery dry: Wet batteries can cause irreparable damage to your machine or even catch fire. If it does get wet:
  • Stop using it immediately 
  • Bag it in a zip-top bag
  • Take it to your local battery recycling location or e-waste facility. Never throw a lithium-ion battery (or any battery) directly in the trash.^[1]

• Do not use it in extreme temperatures: To extend the run-time of your battery, avoid using it in temperatures less than 41˚F (5˚C) or higher than 95˚F (35˚C).
• Store your batteries in a cool, dry place: Ideally, while they have a partial charge of 40-50%.
• Avoid discharging or recharging your batteries completely: Where possible, charge or replace the battery before it gets to 0%, and don’t recharge it to 100%.
• Label multiple batteries: Labelling your batteries (A, B, C, or 1, 2, 3, etc.) lets you rotate their use accordingly. If possible, don’t allow your battery to remain dormant for more than 90 days at a time.

Refer to your operator’s manual for detailed battery care instructions.^[2]

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Portable Oxygen Concentrator Nasal Cannula Maintenance

How often should a nasal cannula be replaced?

We recommend that you change your nasal cannula on a regular basis, and most experts recommend changing your nasal cannula every two weeks.^[3] However, it’s essential to follow your health care provider’s recommendation. 

How to clean a nasal cannula

As part of your oxygen concentrator maintenance routine, you also need to clean the nasal cannula at least once per week ^[3], but ideally daily. This involves:

1. Remove the cannula from the tubing
2. Use a clean cloth and warm, soapy water to clean the prongs and the tubing to remove dirt or debris. 
3. You can also soak the tubing in the soapy water for 15-30 minutes on a weekly basis.
4. Rinse the cannula thoroughly with clean, warm water.
5. Allow it to air dry before reconnecting to your POC

Portable Oxygen Concentrator Particulate Filter Maintenance^[2]

Your Inogen POC comes equipped with two particle filters, which prevent foreign objects from getting into the internals of the machine. These need to be cleaned regularly and replaced periodically.

How often do POC filters need to be cleaned and replaced?

You should clean the filters on your POC at least weekly, and more frequently if you live in a dusty environment. Particulate filters need replacing every 6 months or so, depending on your usage and where you live.

We recommend having a spare set of filters so you can keep using your POC while you’re cleaning them.

How to clean and replace a POC filter

1. Turn the machine off and disconnect it from the power or battery.
2. Remove the filters by sliding or popping them out.
3. Check the filter for any signs of damage, such as holes or tears. If there are any, it will need to be replaced.
4. If the filter is not damaged, clean the filter in a bowl of warm, soapy water. Use a soft cloth or brush to remove dust or debris.
5. Allow it to air dry fully, which may take several hours.
6. Reinstall the clean or new filter.

Sieve Bed Column Replacement

These will need to be replaced every 12 months, and your POC will sound an alarm and give you a low purity error when it’s due within 30 days. Alternatively, Rove 4 and Rove 6 users can check in the Inogen Connect app.

While they can’t be cleaned yourself, it’s simple to replace them with a new unit, such as the G5/Rove 6 Replacement Column or the G4/Rove 4 Replacement Column.

How to replace the Inogen POC sieve bed column

1. Turn the device off, remove the battery, and disconnect it from the power supply.
2. Put the POC on its side to show the column.
3. For the G5 and Rove 6, lift the metal handle, push down on the release button, and slide the column out.

   For the Rove 4, take the hex wrench that came with the replacement column and turn it counter-clockwise until the column stops rising. Pull the column out.

4. Dispose of the used column.
5. Take the new columns and remove the rubber covers on the top, as well as both plugs on the bottom.
6. Slide and click them into place, matching the smooth and notched sides with the concentrator.

   For the Rove 4, take the hex wrench and gently turn it clockwise until you feel resistance. Do not overtighten, as you could strip the threads. Finger-tight is fine.

7. Replace the battery (G5 and Rove 6) or connect the AC power cable (Rove 4).
8. Reset the sieve bed hour counter:
   1. For the Rove 6 and G5, turn the machine on. For the Rove 4, leave turned off.
   2. Press and hold the + and – buttons for 5 seconds until the sieve column icon shows.
   3. Press the alarm or bell button once to see a tick icon on the screen.
   4. In the Inogen Connect app, press the Advanced button on the bottom right of the screen. Navigate to Additional Information and press the Column Reset button.
   5. Rove 4 users can reconnect the battery and turn the machine on.

POC Concentrator Case Cleaning

Keeping your portable oxygen concentrator clean and dust-free is an essential part of regular maintenance and will help keep your unit in top working order. 

This is how to clean your POC’s external case:

1. Clean the exterior unit whenever it becomes visibly dusty or dirty, at least weekly.^[3]
2. Wipe down the case of your unit with a clean cloth dampened with warm, soapy water.
    
3. Avoid using harsh chemicals such as isopropyl alcohol or ethylene chloride, and never use petroleum-based products to clean your oxygen equipment.
4. Never submerge or allow your portable oxygen concentrator unit (and accessories) to get wet.

How To Troubleshoot Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator

If you’re experiencing errors with your Inogen device, our troubleshooting guide below will help. If not, don’t hesitate to contact us at 855-MY-INOGEN (855-694-6643) or via our Contact Form. 

If you see a flashing yellow or red light, it indicates there is a high-priority issue to address.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oxygen Concentrator Maintenance

Can I use Lysol or other antiviral cleansers on my portable oxygen concentrator or nasal cannula?

No. Only use a cloth dampened with water and a mild detergent to clean your Inogen unit or nasal cannula. If you must fully decontaminate your unit, the CDC recommends using an antiviral disinfectant wipe on the exterior casing. Inogen has determined that using wipes will not hurt the function of the unit.^[4] 

When should I replace my POC batteries?

Unfortunately, all batteries slowly lose their ability to hold a charge over time. However, with proper use and care of your Inogen batteries, you can extend the life of your battery as much as possible. Follow our Battery Life Tips to help your batteries work more effectively. 

However, if you notice they simply do not charge properly or hold the charge you need anymore, you should replace them. 

How do I know when to replace the columns inside my Inogen unit?

Your Inogen POC unit will give you a low-priority alarm to indicate that column maintenance is required within 30 days. You can then order new columns, if you do not already have them, and follow our instructions (found inside each unit’s manual) to replace the column assembly on your own. If you need additional assistance, contact Customer Care at 1-877-466-4364. 

What do I do if my Inogen POC unit needs to be serviced?

If you receive an alarm or error code you do not recognize, you need help with the installation of a part, or if you feel your Inogen needs maintenance, please call our Customer Care line at 1-877-466-4364. 

We are always happy to help you with any oxygen concentrator maintenance and to troubleshoot any issues, and we can walk you through the processes step by step. We’re here to ensure your Inogen product works exactly as it should.

What should I do with old batteries, columns, and other Inogen parts and accessories?

Please contact your local recycling center to discuss how to recycle or dispose of these parts and accessories. You can also contact your local e-waste facility for directions on safe disposal. Please do not discard these items in your regular trash, but store them in plastic zip top bags until they can be properly recycled or disposed of safely.

This article was authored by Inogen, Inc. and includes discussion of products manufactured by Inogen. The information provided is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice. PM260065

The Inogen portable oxygen concentrators are available by Rx only. For safe and proper use of Inogen devices, please refer to https://www.inogen.com/support/inogen-manuals/ .

References

1. “Lithium Ion Battery Safety.” Call2Recycle®, Call2Recycle, Inc., 9 Nov. 2016, www.call2recycle.org/lithiumion-battery-safety/.
2. Inogen user manuals PN 96-08649-00-02B, PN 96-06728-00-03, PN 96-07335-00-01 How to Use Oxygen Concentrators | Inogen
3. Using Oxygen at Home (lung.org)
4. “Questions about COVID-19 and Inogen ” Inogen, Accessed 22 May 2020, https://www.inogen.com/pdf/Inogen%20Statement%20on%20COVID-19.pdf