Holiday Travel Tips
When you have COPD, or any other lung disease requiring supplemental oxygen, preparing for holiday travel is a little different. We are here to help make your travel as easy as possible this season.
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Care and Maintenance of Oxygen Equipment
Regular care and maintenance of your portable oxygen equipment will not only extend the life of your oxygen supplies, but it will ensure that you’ll receive optimal air flow with uninterrupted service. The following guidelines are recommended by Inogen for oxygen concentrator maintenance on all Inogen One units to keep your oxygen equipment in tip-top condition.
May 4, 2020
7 min read
Battery Care for Inogen One Units
Inogen One 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 One unit, keep the following guidelines in mind for your oxygen concentrator maintenance:
- Use only an Inogen One Battery with your Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator.
- Keep your battery dry at all times. If it gets wet, stop using it and bag it in a zip-top bag, then 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]
- To extend the run-time of your battery, avoid using it in extreme temperatures, including temperatures less than 41˚F (5˚C) or higher than 95˚F (35˚C).
- Store your batteries in a cool, dry place while they still have a partial charge of 40-50%.
- Avoid discharging or recharging your batteries completely when possible.
- Label multiple batteries (A, B, C or 1, 2, 3 etc.) and rotate their use accordingly.
- 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]
Nasal Cannula Oxygen Concentrator Maintenance
Whichever brand nasal cannula suits your needs, Inogen recommends that you change your nasal cannula on a regular basis according to your health care provider’s recommendation and the manufacturer’s instructions as part of your oxygen concentrator maintenance routine. Generally speaking, most experts recommend changing your nasal cannula every two weeks.[3] Additionally:
- Clean your nasal cannula daily between replacements. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for best cleaning practices. Please also refer to the frequently asked questions below.
- To ensure proper breath detection and efficient oxygen delivery with your Inogen One unit, your nasal cannula should be single lumen with tubing no longer than 25 feet.[2]
- For best results, talk to your doctor, respiratory therapist or oxygen supply company about which kind of nasal cannula suits you best. Look for a secure attachment that does not restrict flow to your Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator.
Concentrator Case
Keeping your Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator clean and dust-free is an essential part of oxygen concentrator maintenance and will help keep your unit in top working order. Here are the basics:[2]
- Clean the exterior of your Inogen One unit whenever it becomes visibly dusty or dirty, at least once a week.[3]
- Wipe down the outside case of your Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator with a clean cloth dampened with water and a mild detergent (DawnTM works great).
- Avoid using harsh chemicals such as isopropyl alcohol or ethylene chloride for oxygen concentrator maintenance, and never use petroleum-based products to clean your oxygen equipment.
- To reduce the risk of electrical shock and damage, never submerge your Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator unit or any of its accessories in water or allow it to come into contact with water.
- While Inogen One units have been tested to withstand rain while walking from a car to your home, it is recommended that you use an extra layer of protection, like the provided carry bag, to protect your unit from getting wet.
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Particle Filters Oxygen Concentrator Maintenance [2]
Your Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator comes equipped with two particle filters. Both must be cleaned weekly to ensure ease of air flow. To complete this essential oxygen concentrator maintenance, remove the filters from the front of the device, then:
- Clean your particle filters using water and a mild dishwashing detergent such as DawnTM. Rinse well and let air dry before re-using them.
- If you live in a dusty environment, it’s recommended that you clean your particle filters more often.
Keeping your oxygen equipment clean and well-maintained will allow you to receive portable oxygen delivery for many years to come. For more information about care and maintenance of our Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrator units and all their parts, refer to the Inogen One User Manual or feel free to contact us and we can walk you through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oxygen Concentrator Maintenance
Please only use a cloth dampened with water and a mild detergent, like DawnTM, to clean your Inogen One unit, following the procedures outlined in the Instructions for Use in your manual. If you must fully decontaminate your unit, the CDC recommends using an antiviral disinfectant wipe on the surface of your Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator. Inogen has determined that using wipes will not hurt the function of the unit.[4]
These types of cleansers are not safe to use on your nasal cannula. You can clean your nasal cannula with a sanitizing solution, as directed by the manufacturer, or you can wash your nasal cannula in warm water with mild detergent, and follow with a vinegar rinse.[5] It is also recommended that you have at least two nasal cannulas on hand in case you need to wash one of them. If you feel, at any point, like your nasal cannula cannot be cleaned adequately, it should be replaced right away.
What do I do when it’s time to clean my particle filter?
In order for particle filters to be cleaned properly, they will need to be hand washed with mild detergent and air dried. If you need to use your Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator 24/7, or for a significant portion of the day, we suggest purchasing extra filters so that you can wash and dry your particle filters properly without experiencing interruption of your oxygen therapy.
When should I replace my particle filters?
If your particle filter becomes misshapen or damaged, you should replace it. Order 2-packs of new particle filters for your Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator any time under Parts & Accessories on our website.
When should I replace my Inogen One batteries?
Unfortunately, all batteries slowly lose their ability to hold a charge over time. However, with proper use and care of your Inogen One lithium-ion batteries, you can extend the life of your battery as much as possible. Follow our Battery Life Tips to help you 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 One unit?
Your Inogen One 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 One unit needs to be serviced?
If you receive an alarm or error code you do not recognize, you need help with installation of a part or if you feel your Inogen One needs any service, 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 One Portable Oxygen Concentrator 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.
Sources
- “Lithium Ion Battery Safety.” Call2Recycle®, Call2Recycle, Inc., 9 Nov. 2016, www.call2recycle.org/lithiumion-battery-safety/.
- Inogen user manuals PN 96-08649-00-02B, PN 96-06728-00-03, PN 96-07335-00-01 How to Use Oxygen Concentrators | Inogen
- Using Oxygen at Home (lung.org)
- “Questions about COVID-19 and Inogen ” Inogen, Accessed 22 May 2020, https://www.inogen.com/pdf/Inogen%20Statement%20on%20COVID-19.pdf
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/nasal-cannulas-914867
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Acute vs. Chronic Bronchitis: Understanding the Differences
Bronchitis is a respiratory illness that causes inflammation of the tubes that carry air to the lungs—also known as the airways or bronchial tubes. When the airways become irritated, swollen and inflamed, less air is able to travel to and from the lungs and mucus begins to form in them. This generally causes an irritating cough that may be accompanied by shortness of breath, more mucus production and other bothersome symptoms.[1] There are two types of bronchitis: acute and chronic; the symptoms can be quite different for acute vs. chronic bronchitis. Read on to take a look at how these types of bronchitis differ.[1]
How to Exercise with an O2 Concentrator
Many people with breathing difficulties learn about the benefits of exercise after seeing their doctor or beginning pulmonary rehabilitation. Exercise gets your heart pumping and increases your breathing rate, which means increased circulation of oxygenated blood throughout the body. This can help your body with oxygenation of the tissues and, the better shape your muscles are in, the better they are at using oxygen effectively. With regular exercise, your muscles will require less oxygen and produce less carbon dioxide, reducing how quickly you need to breathe and how quickly you feel out of breath. Regular exercise also strengthens your heart and improves circulation, which continues to help improve your body’s oxygenation. In short: Regular exercise can help improve lung function, symptoms of lung conditions and overall heart health and circulation. All of these combine to create better oxygenation in the body and improved overall health, even for people with lung conditions and breathing difficulties.[1] So, if you struggle with your breath while exercising, should you consider EWOT?