Using the Invacare Perfecto2 Oxygen Concentrator

By: Kevin Cleary

For those that have respiratory issues, the need for supplemental oxygen can be extremely important. These folks have a need to increase the body’s ability to utilize oxygen due to issues such as COPD. This usually leads to the need to have large, heavy oxygen tanks which can be extremely cumbersome to move about, if at all. Another option available is an oxygen concentrator. An oxygen concentrator works by concentrating oxygen from the surrounding ambient air, therefore creating a supply of oxygen enriched gas for inhalation. Invacare offers respiratory patients a great option in the Perfecto2 Oxygen Concentrator. Understanding the unit and its proper use can easily make your oxygen therapy more efficient.

All the Features You Want

Since many patients who require supplemental oxygen for the respiratory therapy can be of advanced age and oxygen tanks can be heavy, there needs to be another option. The Invacare Perfecto2 Oxygen Concentrator is just this option. It weighs just 39 lbs. and is 23 “H x 13 “W x 11.5 “D, which makes it easily portable (especially since its on wheels). It can provide an oxygen purity rate of 87%-95.6% at all flow rates. Not only is it compact but it is also quiet with a noise rating of 43 dB. This concentrator uses a pressure-based system which is superior to a time-based system to provide an unlimited, worry free oxygen supply. One nice feature is the patient accessible, reset button which can avoid costly emergency service calls. This unit has a 5 L capacity and a design that is user-friendly and easy to see control panel for ease-of-use. This unit also has a humidifier bottle holder as well as easy filter access for simple maintenance. With a flow rate of 5 LPM, you can adjust the flow range from 0.5-5 LPM. Your doctor will prescribe what flow rate you need and you should never adjust it unless directed by your doctor.

Simple Operation

Invacare has designed this oxygen concentrator to make it easy for patients to use this concentrator in their home. Patients simply and securely connect their oxygen hose (or cannula) to the nipple for oxygen therapy. So how does the Invacare Perfecto2 work? This device utilizes a molecular sieve to absorb gases such as nitrogen. It’s this principle of rapid pressure swing absorption that allows the nitrogen in the air to be absorbed onto zeolite minerals and eventually purge the nitrogen. This leaves predominantly oxygen. These types of oxygen providers are useful in situations where the use of oxygen tanks can be either hazardous or inconvenient. All the user needs to do is to connect their cannula to the oxygen outlet nipple and adjust the flow control valve to the appropriate flow rate as prescribed by your doctor. The center of the ball should be directly over the number prescribed by your doctor. Do not change this unless directed to by your doctor!! The front of the Invacare Perfecto2 has a spot for a humidifier if your doctor should prescribe one for you. Just simply attach the bottle lead to the oxygen outlet of the unit and then place your cannula on the output of the humidifier. Easy peasy!!

Make sure you use distilled water in any humidifier. At this point simply turn on the switch on the front of the unit and breathe easy. When the unit is initially turned on a yellow light will come on and after the warm up period is done a green light will appear. This shows that the unit is in normal operating mode. The front of the unit has an easily assessable panel for filter changes to make home maintenance simpler. If for some reason your unit should stop working the first diagnostic step is the circuit breaker directly above the on/off switch. This can cut down on costly service calls.

Below is an illustration of the Invacare Perfecto2 unit and controls:

	A. Oxygen Outlet B. Flowmeter C. Elapsed Time Meter D. Oxygen Purity Indicator Lights/Fault and Power Indicator Lights E. Circuit Breaker F. Power Switch G. Power Cord H. HomeFill Outlet Fitting I. Cabinet Filter The Invacare Perfecto2 Oxygen Concentrator is a stylish piece of equipment to blend into any home decor as well as being a simple to use, effective oxygen delivery system with no more heavy tanks that need to be refilled. This unit uses the air around you every day and has a compressor life expectancy of 25,000 hours of worry free operation.