Are you considering a portable oxygen concentrator for yourself or a loved one? If so, during your research, you'd have come across terms like pulse dose and continuous flow. Now, you probably have questions like, What do these terms mean? And what difference do they bring to your oxygen therapy experience?

Well, you've come to the right place to find the answers.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Oxygen Delivery Methods
• What is Pulse Dose?
• What is Continuous Flow?
• Benefits of Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator
• Benefits of Pulse Dose Portable Oxygen Concentrator
• Things to Remember
• GCE Medical: Your Partner for Better Breathing

Simply put, both pulse dose (PD) and continuous flow (CF) are methods of oxygen delivery.

Understanding Oxygen Delivery Methods

Portable oxygen concentrators come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and features. The type of oxygen delivery method available in a unit can affect its portability, battery life, and functionality to an extent. Some portable oxygen concentrators, like the Zen-O, offer both continuous flow and pulse dose capabilities.

While your healthcare provider will select the ideal unit with the perfect delivery method based on your needs and prescription, understanding the difference can help you communicate your preferences better.

What is Pulse Dose?

Pulse Dose, also known as Demand Flow, is a method where the unit delivers oxygen only when the patient inhales. It provides supplementary oxygen in bursts or pulses (hence the name) based on your breathing pattern. For instance, when you are performing a physical activity like climbing a flight of stairs, your breath rate increases. Sensing this rise, the pulse dose concentrator increases oxygen output to ensure that your body receives the required oxygen in every breath.

Similarly, when you relax and your breath rate returns to normal, the machine adjusts its output to maintain a consistent dosage.

How does pulse dose oxygen work?

Most portable oxygen concentrators with pulse dose delivery feature a sensor that detects pressure changes during your breathing cycle. As you inhale, the change in pressure triggers the sensor, enabling the unit to deliver oxygen during the inhalation phase and stop during exhalation.

What is Continuous Flow?

Continuous Flow, as the name suggests, is a method in which the machine delivers a constant flow of oxygen, regardless of your breath cycle or rate. Traditional oxygen cylinders and stationary concentrators typically use this delivery method, as it's suited for delivering higher volumes of oxygen.

💡 Note: In some cases, patients may not be compatible with the pulse dose method due to factors like a low breath rate or the need for a high volume of oxygen. So, it's absolutely necessary to consult your doctor to better understand your respiratory needs.

Benefits of Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator

1. Reliable and Consistent

Continuous flow oxygen concentrators are often preferred by healthcare providers for their ability to deliver oxygen consistently. In some cases, patients with shallow breathing may struggle to trigger the pulse sensor, which may lead to not getting enough oxygen. For this reason, they may not be suitable candidates for pulse dose concentrators. On the other hand, continuous flow is compatible with nearly every patient, especially those with severe respiratory conditions or significant breathing difficulties.

2. High Flow Rate

As mentioned earlier, traditional oxygen cylinders use the continuous flow delivery method for a reason. It's designed to handle higher volumes of oxygen. If you require a high flow rate, measured in litres per minute or LPM, your healthcare provider will most likely recommend a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator to meet your oxygen needs.

3. Suitable for Nocturnal Oxygen Therapy

Patients on Long-Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT) may need a continuous flow machine while they sleep to prevent overnight oxygen desaturation. Those with conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), sometimes together called COPD-OSA overlap syndrome, have difficulty breathing during sleep due to a restricted airway.

In such cases, patients are typically advised to use both a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine and an oxygen device while sleeping. For these patients, the continuous flow delivery method is the only suitable option to ensure adequate oxygen levels throughout the night.

Benefits of Pulse Dose Portable Oxygen Concentrator

1. Oxygen and Energy Efficient

By delivering oxygen only when needed, the pulse dose method ensures no 'wasted' oxygen, unlike continuous flow. This delivery style not only offers a more tailored therapy experience but also makes the unit highly energy efficient. Less energy consumption leads to prolonged battery life, allowing you to travel longer periods without restrictions and stress.

2. Perfect for Active Lifestyle

Compared to their continuous flow counterparts, pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators tend to be lighter and more compact. They can be easily carried in a backpack while running errands, walking, or travelling.

That said, with the right accessories, even the slightly bulkier portable oxygen concentrator with continuous flow can be carried with ease. Manufacturers, like GCE Medical, provide backpacks for lighter units and wheeled carts for heavier ones, so you can still enjoy the freedom of mobility without compromising your oxygen therapy needs.

Pulse Dose Delivery with Oxygen Cylinder

Pulse dose is not exclusive to portable oxygen concentrators. You can change the delivery method of your oxygen tank with a simple accessory called an oxygen conserver. Once attached to the cylinder, the oxygen-conserving device starts detecting your breath and delivers oxygen only when you inhale. While this setup does not offer the same portability as a concentrator, it's a great way to extend the life of your oxygen cylinder and conserve resources.

Things to Remember

Everyone's Oxygen Needs Are Unique

Each patient has unique respiratory needs. So, what's compatible for one person may not be the best choice for you or your loved one. It's important to consult with your healthcare provider to fully understand your condition and discuss the best options for your specific needs.

Battery Life Can Differ

Even with the pulse dose oxygen method, the battery life may change drastically depending on your usage, setting, and other factors. When travelling for long periods, it's always best to carry spare batteries to avoid running out of power at unexpected times.

POCs with Both Delivery Methods

Like mentioned before, some POCs offer both continuous flow and pulse dose capabilities. While these dual-method units can be slightly heavier than pulse dose-only models, they provide the flexibility to switch between delivery methods based on your requirements.

GCE Medical: Your Partner for Better Breathing

At GCE Medical, we're committed to providing top-quality portable oxygen concentrators designed with your needs in mind. Our Zen-O and Zen-O Lite units are compact, lightweight, and FAA-approved. The Zen-O offers both continuous flow and pulse dose delivery methods, while the Zen-O Lite, our quietest unit, delivers reliable pulse doses for ultimate convenience.

No matter your lifestyle or oxygen needs, GCE Medical is here to support you with trusted, advanced solutions.