Portable Oxygen Concentrators Blog and Resources

Are you considering a ResMed Mobi? This portable oxygen concentrator is a good choice, but whether it’s worth the price tag will depend on your personal needs. We’ve broken down eight things you need to know about the Mobi before you consider it: 1. Pulse only If you planned on using your portable oxygen concentrator with a CPAP or BiPAP machine for sleep apnea or another respiratory illness, you’ll have to look for another device. The Mobi is a pulse-only model, meaning it only delivers oxygen when a user inhales and it adjusts to the patient’s breathing. Continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators deliver a continuous stream of oxygen, regardless of the user’s breathing patterns. Continuous flow POC are used with CPAP and BiPAP machines. The ResMed Mobi has pulse flow settings 1–4 for users who are prescribed these settings. Discuss with a doctor whether the Mobi has the specifications that are right for you. 2. Pulse-Wave tech Most POC with pulse flow have “pulse dose” delivery, which is not as intuitive as Mobi’s Pulse-Wave tech. Pulse-Wave delivery better syncs with a patient’s inhalation and breathing speed for its active and rest mode. It adjusts for different activity levels. For sleeping, Mobi employs its rest mode. When a user is awake and breathing is normal, the Mobi adjusts to active mode. If Mobi detects no breathing, it can switch to a continuous delivery until a patient starts breathing again. Pulse flow is ideal for patients who engage in physical activity or who use their POC in a variety of daily activities. 3. 5.5 pounds Because the Mobi is 5.5 pounds, it’s an average weight for a portable oxygen concentrator. Patients looking to use their oxygen concentrator for exercise and outdoor activities might like a lighter model, but Mobi’s weight is decent for most on-the-go users, and it’s certainly not the heaviest portable oxygen concentrator out there. As for its physical size specifications, the Mobi is 8”x9.6”x4.5”. This makes the Mobi portable, but not the smallest POC on the market. 4. Long battery life On pulse flow setting 1, the Mobi’s internal battery can last just over eight hours. This is one of the longest lasting portable oxygen concentrators available. As with most POC, customers can purchase additional batteries that can extend Mobi’s life around 4.5 hours per external battery. Depending on the flow setting you need, you could use the ResMed Mobi all day without worrying about charging it until you get home. 5. FAA approved If you are looking for a portable oxygen concentrator for travel, the Mobi might work for you. FAA approved means the Federal Aviation Administration has deemed it safe for airline travel. You can take the ResMed Mobi on a plane. If you plan on traveling by plane, check with your specific airline to see if they have any rules for handling your oxygen supply. Many airlines liked to be notified of POC equipment. 6. Comes with a 5-year warranty A three-year warranty is standard in the portable oxygen concentrator industry, so the ResMed Mobi trumps its competition by offering a five-year warranty. Not only is a five-year warranty extended to the unit, but a one-year warranty is extended to sieve beds, batteries, and accessories. However, this isn’t the best warranty you can get. Inogen offers lifetime warranties on many of its products for an added fee, so customers should consider how long they plan to use their POC and whether they’re content to pay a lower price for a shorter warranty. Some medical suppliers might offer a lifetime warranty on the ResMed Mobi, so be sure to ask. 7. Backpack carrier available While a carrying case comes with the ResMed Mobi, users can also purchase a backpack designed to carry the device. Buyers should only purchase carrying accessories tailored to their device. Generic bags and backpacks won’t allow access to Mobi’s menu, charge ports, or the mesh for breathability around the concentrator’s air vents. A backpack carrier means users can take the Mobi on outdoor excursions or longer trips that require more storage space. ResMed recommends that you keep the Mobi in a carrying case at all times because it can prevent the device from getting damaged. Many sellers of the ResMed Mobi also sell this medical equipment so patients can purchase the backpack, a nasal cannula, or an additional external battery. Some providers even sell packages with all these accessories included with the Mobi. Shop around and see which equipment provider sells a package that meets your needs. 8. AC and DC power supply The Mobi has an AC/DC power supply to charge your internal battery from traditional mains or in the car. Most portable oxygen concentrators have cables for both AC and DC charging, but they are sometimes sold separately. With a long battery life and two charging cables, patients can rest assured that their respiratory equipment won't die at a bad time. In sum Be sure to talk to your doctor about your options, and discuss the Mobi if you’d like a portable oxygen concentrator with a long battery and intuitive pulse flow settings. If this ResMed Mobi review has you wondering more about the company, check out our review of ResMed. If you want a lighter POC or one with a lifetime warranty, you might want to see what other POC companies can offer you another device. You can take a look at other POC companies here. Read also: Can Air Quality Impact Asthma and COPD?

With pollution and densely populated urban areas growing, it makes sense that this might be a concern for patients with asthma and COPD. Experts have noticed a connection between air quality and the exacerbation of COPD and asthma. Many practitioners have advice on how to protect your home with good air quality as this is the most important component of safety, but is there anything you can do about your air quality outdoors? How can your external environment impact COPD and asthma? Urban areas The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows users to see a rating of the air quality in their region. As you look at this map, you might notice that populated cities are more likely to have poorer air quality. A rating of 101–150 marks a region as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.” Dr. Purvi Parikh, allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network, says, “Large cities [and] living near highways increases your risk due to higher carbon emissions.” We’ll talk more about cars later, but urban areas produce many air hazards because of the cities’ need to power a densely populated location and because there are so many cars packed into one place. If you’re struggling with exacerbations in an urban area, you might want to relocate your residence. Even surrounding suburbs leading to big cities can have better air quality. As Parikh explains, “It's best to have good air quality without too much exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution.” Heat and humidity Summer can be a particularly difficult time for those with respiratory issues, because hot, humid air can create ideal conditions for high quantities of pollution, mold, ozone, and pollen, all of which can impact air quality and exacerbate respiratory conditions. Patients should stay in cool areas during warm months and make sure they have any necessary medications and treatments accessible. Car emissions Car emissions can affect COPD and asthma, too. If you’re living near a busy highway, this might cause some trouble. Parikh suggests living in areas away from busy roads. Several studies have proven this form of air pollution can cause severe asthma attacks. Industrial chemicals Similar to the issue with car emissions, populated areas are dangerous for those with respiratory conditions because exposure to certain industrial chemicals can exacerbate them. You might need to scrutinize your work life for this one. Employees who work in conditions involving dust, fumes, and chemical substances elevates the risk of COPD. Careers in manufacturing and shipping and processing could be vulnerable to these factors. Secondhand smoke Smoking is the leading cause of COPD, so it’s no wonder that secondhand smoke is capable of affecting the condition. To many, the risks of secondhand smoke come as no surprise — they have been reiterated by many established professionals. To avoid contact with secondhand smoke, stay in smoke-free areas. Many restaurants, hotels, and other public spaces either prohibit smoking altogether or in certain areas. Lending your support to smoke-free businesses and legislation will ensure you have safe places to visit in your area. Avoiding areas with poor air quality While you now know some of the factors that affect asthma and COPD, here are some tips to improve your quality of life outside your home: Push for smoke-free work policies at your place of employment Check the air quality of regions you want to visit and plan accordingly See if the attraction or business you are visiting has no-smoking policies Carry any emergency medications with you when you leave your home By being aware of these air quality influencers and what you can do to avoid them, you might be able to improve your quality of life. Living with a respiratory condition can feel limiting, but increasing your understanding of the condition can help you mitigate those limitations.