Respironics Ever-Go: Rinse and completely dry the side gross particle filter weekly/bi-weekly depending on the use of the machine

Respironics Ever-Flo: Change internal hepa filter annually/bi-annually depending on the environment and use of he machine

SeQual Eclipse: A Preventative Maintenance (PM) service is recommended by the manufacturer. This includes replacing the 9-volt internal alarm battery, and bacteria, internal hepa and gross particle filters. This procedure can only be completed by an authorized service center because it involves opening up the unit.

Invacare XPO2: Remove unit from carry bag and lift up front face plate to access the gross particle filter. Rinse and completely dry weekly/bi-weekly depending on the use of the machine. Replace the Inlet/Herpa filter annually/bi-annually dependent upon use.

Invacare Perfecto 2: Rinse and completely dry the gross particle filter on the rear of the machine weekly/bi-weekly depending on the use of the machine. Replace internal hepa filter annually/bi-annually depending on the environment and the use of the machine.

Inogen One G1: Rinse and completely dry the gross particle filter located in the rear of the machine weekly/bi-weekly depending on the environment and the use of the machine.

Inogen One G2: Rinse and completely dry the screen filter located on the rear of the machine weekly/bi-weekly depending on the environment and the use of the machine.

Devilbiss I-GO: Rinse and completely dry the gross particle filter located on the top where the patients hand goes. Perform this task/duty weekly/bi-weekly depending on the environment and the use of the machine.

We have all filters in stock, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or problems changing your filters. For our SeQual customers, we are an authorized repair center and are offering SeQual PM’s at a discount this month. See the coupon for details.

Are you or a loved one planning a trip to Colorado to visit family or go skiing over the Holidays? Don’t forget the oxygen! While the percentage of oxygen in the Colorado air is actually the same as sea level, the concentration of oxygen molecules in the air is diluted and makes the air we breathe “thinner.”

What’s normal?

When anyone comes to altitude, it’s normal for the body to react in certain ways; our respiratory rate increases, our heart rate accelerates and our kidneys eliminate more fluids causing us to become dehydrated. When we go up in altitude too quickly, our body goes into overdrive and gets overloaded with this new amount of work it has to do. What happens next is that we get sick.

What is Altitude Sickness?

Acute Mountain Sickness is actually a grouping of symptoms that occur when we ascend above 8,000 feet in altitude. For many people, the symptoms of AMS can occur at lower elevations, such as the city of Denver at 5,280 feet. AMS is an unusual illness in that it can affect people of varying ages, gender and fitness levels. Even the fittest of athletes might succumb to AMS.

What are the symptoms of AMS?

The primary symptom of AMS is headache, but it’s important to notice other symptoms, as well. These include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, weakness or fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness and difficulty sleeping.

How can I avoid getting Altitude Sickness?

Talk to your doctor before you make your trip; see if he or she wants you to travel with a Portable Oxygen Concentrator. He or she may also recommend getting in a little more exercise before you hit the road to the High Country. It is recommended that people come to a lower elevation at first, such as Denver, and acclimate in our beautiful city for a few days before heading up to the mountains. Once here, take it easy! Make sure that you stay hydrated and try to avoid alcohol…if you can.

What should I do if I get sick?

Always consult a medical professional to make sure that what you are dealing with is, in fact, Altitude Sickness.

Are there any cures for altitude sickness?

Yes! Oxygen Therapy and returning to a lower altitude will help to reverse the symptoms in a few days.

Where can I get oxygen for my trip?

American Medical Sales & Repair, of course! With your doctor’s prescription for oxygen, we would be happy to provide you with an oxygen concentrator that will make your stay more enjoyable. Our rentals are also available to get you home! Just ship the machine back to us after you arrive home. Remember: when you breathe easier, we breathe easier!

Most people with COPD know what triggers are going to make their COPD symptoms worsen; weather and air pollution are the two biggest culprits. With the winter months upon us and the temperatures dropping, knowing how to prevent cold weather discomfort might mean the difference between staying in and going outside.

When the weather turns cold and we go outside, our airways respond by narrowing and then restricting the air or oxygen flow into the lungs. This, of course, makes it more difficult to breathe.

Is there anything that we can do to prevent this from happening?

First and foremost, check with your doctor, but here are a few handy tips for fighting the cold:

1) Wear a mask, scarf or turtleneck over your mouth and nose
2) Breathe in through your nose as this allows your body to naturally warm and add moisture to the air
3) If you use a bronchodilator (inhaler), ask your doctor about administering a dose about 3o minutes before you go outside
4) If you use oxygen, hide your oxygen tubing (nasal cannula) inside your clothing. The cold temperatures can make your tubing cold and brittle!! Plus, it will help to keep your O2 warm!

So, don’t let the cold weather keep you away from family and friends this Holiday Season! Bundle up and don’t forget the oxygen! And if you need help with a rental unit to take that winter vacation, please give us a call at AMSR…remember, if you breathe easier, we breathe easier…

www.mayoclinic.com
www.copdnewsoftheday.com

Travel with Confidence with a Portable Oxygen Concentrator!

If you used an oxygen concentrator 10 years ago, you know how big and heavy they used to be. Thank goodness times have changed. Today’s portable models are so small and light that now you can travel anywhere!

Airplane travel

The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, has ruled that all passengers who require oxygen must be allowed to bring FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators on all U.S. aircraft with more than 19 seats. Foreign airlines must also allow portable oxygen concentrators on all flights to and from U.S soil.

Rest assured that all the oxygen concentrators we sell and rent are FAA-approved.

Train travel

Amtrak also allows medically necessary oxygen equipment onboard. You just need to give them 12 hours’ advance notice and assure them you have the needed equipment, including adequate battery back-up. Call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

We recommend you reserve a Superliner Accessible Bedroom for your Amtrak trip. These are lower-level rooms with space for a wheelchair and two adults. Even if you don’t use a wheelchair, you’ll appreciate having the extra space for your oxygen equipment.

Car travel

Who doesn’t love an old-fashioned road trip? Most of today’s portable concentrators come with a DC power supply that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter outlet. This makes it easy to power and recharge your concentrator no matter how long your drive.

If you’re not sure, call and ask us if your portable concentrator has a DC power supply.

Fall is a gorgeous time of year to travel, so we hope you’ll get out there and enjoy it. Bon voyage!

The Inogen One G2 Universal Power Supply is specifically designed for use with the Inogen One G2 Oxygen Concentrator. The Universal Power Supply provides the precise current and voltage required to safely power the Inogen G2, and is designed to operate from specified AC and DC power sources. When used with AC power sources, the supply automatically adapts to input voltages from 100V to 240V permitting use with most power sources throughout the world.

The Universal Power Supply will charge the Inogen One G2 Battery when used with AC input power or when used with a DC power supply, such as the one found in your car. Due to aircraft power limitations, the Universal Power Supply cannot be used to charge the Inogen One G2 Battery when used on an aircraft.

The Universal Power Supply is used with the following components:

• Power Supply with attached power output cable to connect to the Inogen One G2
• Auto DC cigarette lighter power input cable
• AC power input cable

Mobile Cart
The mobile cart has wheels and a telescoping handle to provide easy transport of the Inogen One G2. The G2 can be operated while using the mobile cart. The mobile cart is easy to use, just place the carry bag over the cart, and make sure the cart handle is inserted between the elastic strap in the back of the carry bag and in the front of the carry bag and its ready to be used.

24 Cell Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
The Ion battery powers the Inogen One G2 without having to connect it to an external power source. When fully charged, the will can provide between 4 and 8 hours of operation depending on flow setting. The battery recharges when properly installed in the G2 and the concentrator in connected to a AC or DC power source. Recharging time is up to 8 hours for a fully charged battery.

Nasal Cannula
A nasal cannula must be used with the Inogen One G2 to provide oxygen from the concentrator to the patient. A single lumen cannula up to 25 feet in length to ensure proper breath detection and oxygen delivery is recommended.
Airline DC 4-Pin Power Input Cable
DC 4-Pin Power Plug is for using during flights to charge the Inogen One G2. Some airlines don’t have the port or will not allow it, so please check with the airline for power port availability.

Warm up time is another significant improvement of the G2. The old unit could take up to 30 minutes to warm up. The G2 only takes a mere 2 minutes to warm up. That could save the patient 28 minutes of waiting for the unit to warm up and be ready to use.

The biggest improvement of the Inogen One G2 is battery life. The original Inogen had a battery life of only 2 to 3 hours depending on the flow setting; this could provide a huge inconvenience for the patient especially if they were planning a long flight or trip. The patient would have to bring extra batteries to replace the depleted ones. The Inogen G2 has battery times of up to 8 hours depending on the flow settings. This will let the patient to take extended flights without replacing for charging the battery.
Inogen designed the G2 to make life easier for the patient to use and operate. These improvements will make living with a concentrator more enjoyable.

You should never allow the battery’s terminals to touch together as they could cause the batteries to fail. Keep the battery away from water and never disassemble or deform the battery. Avoid from exposing a battery to excessive shock or vibration like dropping. Always charge the batteries in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, using specified chargers only. The batteries should be stored between -4 F and 140 F to help from degrading the batteries performance.

How to Clean your Respironics EverGo Air Inlet Filter

Its recommend that you clean the air inlet filter weekly. Wash the air inlet filter, located in the zippered compartment on the end of the device case. You may want to clean it more depending on your operating conditions.
Remove the filter and wash it in a solution of warm water and mild liquid dish detergent.

Rinse the filter thoroughly in warm water; remove any excess moisture by placing the filter in a paper towel and starting squeezing gently to dry. Allow the filter to air dry thoroughly. Ensure that the filter is completely dry before putting the filter back in the EverGo.

Place the dry filter in the zippered compartment and zip the compartment shut.

Cleaning the Carrying Case

If cleaning is necessary, use only warm water and liquid dish detergent.

Make sure the carrying case is closed.

Dampen a cloth in the detergent and water solution and wipe the outside surface of the case clean.
Warning: Do not use alcohol, solvents, polishes or any oily substances on the device, as they are flammable.
Caution: Do not allow liquids into any of the controls, the interior of the case, or the oxygen tubing connector.

Device Storage

Store the Respironics EverGo in a place where it will remain clean and dry. It should always be stored in the carrying case. The only time the carrying case should be removed is if airport security personnel asks you to during flight travel.

Passengers are allowed to carry on and use AirSep Corporation’s LifeStyle and FreeStyle; Inogen’s Inogen One; SeQual Technologies’ Eclipse; Philips Respironics Inc.’s EverGo; Delphi Medical Systems’ RS-00400; and Invacare Corporation’s XPO2.

For safety reason, it is strongly recommended that patients that use Portable Oxygen Concentrators on airplane flights carry enough extra batteries that will last twice the duration of the flight to ensure the battery power will not run out during flight. Also make sure your Concentrator is in good working condition before the flight; if it is not, there are many companies that offer Concentrator Rentals to patients. Before your flight, you must obtain a prescription from your physician and submit to the airline that you are flying with.

Some of the popular current airlines that allow Portable Oxygen Concentrators on board are American Airlines, America West, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, SouthWest Airlines and US Airlines. Not all airlines allow Concentrators on flights, please check with your airline to make sure that POCs are allowed on the aircraft.

The Inogen One should be placed in a well ventilated area. The air intake and exhaust must have clear access. Make sure you place the Inogen One in such a way that you can hear any alarms. Open the battery door and insert the Inogen One Battery with the handle of the battery up and press firmly to make sure the battery is in the correct position. After the battery is installed and close the battery door. Plug the Inogen One into a AC Power Supply and connect the AC Power Cord to the AC Power Supply. Connect the AC Power Supply to the Inogen One. Once it is plugged in, a beep will sound. Connect the nasal tubbing to the nozzle fitting. The nozzle fitting is located next to the handle of the Inogen One. Use only a single lumen cannula with a length of 7 feet or less.

Turn on the Inogen by pressing the ON/OFF button. A single short beep will sound after the Inogen logo is displayed. “Please Wait” will appear while the connector starts up. The display will indicate the selected flow setting and power condition. Following the start-up , the Inogen will have a warm up period up to 30 minutes. During this time period the oxygen concentrator is building, but may not have reached specification. However, the Inogen can and should be used immediately. Additional warm up time may be needed if your Inogen has been stored in cold temperatures.

Position the nasal cannula on your face and breathe through your nose.

The Inogen will sense the onset of inhalation and deliver a burst of oxygen at a precise time when you inhale. It will sense each breathe and continue to deliver oxygen in this manner. As your breathing rate changes, the Inogen One will sense these changes and deliver oxygen only as you need it. At times, if you inhale very quickly between breaths the Inogen may ignore one of the breaths, giving the appearance of a missed breathe. This may be normal as the Inogen senses and monitors the changes in your breathing pattern. The Inogen will normally sense the next breathe and deliver oxygen accordingly. A green light will flash each time a breath is detected. Make sure the nasal cannula is properly aligned on your face and your breathing though your nose.