Oxygen
The market for oxygen therapy has grown immensely
over the past decade, with nearly 1.5 million people relying on supplemental
oxygen to address their medical needs. While tank delivery of oxygen
remains a viable market for HME providers, patients want to continue carrying
out their daily routines and need a product that allows them to stay on
the go. That’s where portable oxygen concentrators, and the companies who
maintain the machines, step in.
In just the past few years, portable oxygen concentrators have begun to
reflect the rapidly changing technology becoming available to HME providers
and their patients. Rather than waiting for maintenance issues to occur on
their machines, providers increasingly have the ability to remotely monitor
oxygen output, battery life and more through online platforms. Now, companies
are expanding wireless connectivity to POCs in the hopes of making
24/7 monitoring possible for more patients.
At the same time, manufacturers are focused on making the machines
lighter and sleeker for patients who want POCs to blend in with the rest of
their belongings. The demand is high for machines that can provide the right
mix of portability, battery life and tank capacity to fit patient lifestyles. If an
HME provider can guarantee all three, they can see revenue growth in this
key area. Here is a sampling of the latest products and services to hit the
oxygen therapy market:
GF Health Products
Finger Pulse Oximeter
Finger pulse oximeter emphasizes easy-use features
The John Bunn JB02020 Finger Pulse Oximeter from GF
Health Products Inc.
(Graham-Field) is a
lightweight, pocketsize
device designed
for home, clinical
and EMS settings. The
unit provides fast and
accurate oxygen saturation
(SpO2), pulse
rate, and perfusion index measurements via
a large LED digital display, and includes SpO2
and pulse rate alarms. Other usability features
include one-button operation, and automatic
power-off function to conserve batteries. In
terms of size, the device accommodates range
of finger sizes from pediatric to adult.
CAIRE Inc.
FreeStyle Comfort
The FreeStyle Comfort is a lightweight, five-setting pulse
flow portable oxygen concentrator with wireless connectivity,
sensitive breath detection features, and delivering
a maximum output of up to 1050 milliliters. Weighing only
5 pounds and designed with patient comfort in mind,
it has an ergonomic, curved shell, LCD display screen,
and battery pack options offering up to eight hours of
charge. Operational via wall outlet power, motor vehicle power, or by rechargeable
battery power, the device is designed for easy traveling and meets FAA guidelines for
commercial air flights.
OxyGo LLC
OxyGo Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
Studies have shown that some people with COVID-19 symptoms
have alarmingly low levels of blood oxygen—OxyGo’s
Fingertip Pulse Oximeter tracks oxygen saturation and pulse
rate to help monitor health and recovery. It’s portable, easy-to-use and the CDC recommends using a pulse oximeter for
identifying COVID-19 symptoms. Patients can self-monitor
their condition and detect early symptoms of COVID-19. This
non-invasive pulse oximeter is designed for use in hospitals, nursing homes, gyms, at
home or even on-the-go.
VGM Respiratory
VGM Respiratory
New resources for respiratory providers and HME leaders
VGM Respiratory has developed an
End-Tidal CO2 Protocol. This protocol will
help providers identify patients that will
help them grow NIV and potentially help
reduce hospital re-admission for those
patients. Also, VGM & Associates are planning
to release the first playbook of 2020
at Medtrade Spring. The latest playbook
focuses on leadership, including lessons on
everything from change management to
leadership development. Members can find
playbook resources at vgm.com/playbook.
CAIRE Inc.
oneCAIRE Programs
Consulting services designed to support HMEs providing oxygen therapy
- Manufacturer provides retail partner program, non-delivery
program, O2 discharge program, and sponsored training to
help HME providers grow their businesses.
- Business solutions consulting paired with CAIRE’s thorough
knowledge of the oxygen market with products like FreeStyle
Comfort POC and proprietary oxygen technology.
ResMed
Mobi Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Concentrator's oxygen delivery matches inhalation rate to improve patient comfort
- 5.5 lb. concentrator, now widely available in U.S.,
designed for one-touch startup with display
screen providing notifications about oxygen
delivery and device functioning.
- Pulse-Wave technology matches oxygen delivery
to user’s inhalation rate for comfort.
GCE Healthcare
Zen-O Lite Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Online monitoring platform Clarity now available on POCs in U.S.
- Online monitoring platform Clarity Converged
Care and 4G connectivity now launched on all
POCs in the U.S.
- Home oxygen providers can monitor machine
24/7 from any online device and perform
predictive maintenance, viewing oxygen
purity, usage history and battery life.
OxyGo LLC
OxyGo NEXT
Providers can geo-locate concentrators, monitor patient use through online dashboard
- Bluetooth-enabled POC offers six flow settings
for patients through a mobile application.
- Providers can use an online dashboard to monitor
patient use, geo-locate machines and check
battery life, and known when to perform
preventative maintenance.
Philips
Simply Go Mini
Ultra-portable concentrator aims to deliver reliable performance on the go
- Smallest and lightest concentrator offered by
Philips features 5 pulse settings and fashionable
bag designs
- 5 lb. sleekly designed machine comes with
lightweight and compact battery and high
oxygen output for ultra-portable POC
Invacare Corporation
Platinum Mobile Oxygen Concentrator
POC offers 'remote freedom' for HME providers and patients
- Users can control flow settings via a connected
smartphone app from up to 25 feet away.
- Providers can view diagnostics remotely using
Piccolo Provider Portal.
- Designed for easy patient use with simple, sealed
interface, top-load batteries and dual intakes and
exhausts to maximize heat dissipation.