In 2010 more people are now living longer and still wish to enjoy an independant lifestyle. Also, more elderly people are now living with a heart or lung condition, which prevents the body obtaining the required amount of oxygen to fully function.

Smoking is the major cause of emphysema, a condition that limits the flow of air when you breathe out and does not therefore allow all the air in the lungs to exhale. Emphysema may progress into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Other conditions causing low blood and tissue oxygen levels in the body are severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary hypertension and lung diseases such as asbestosis and alveolitis.

When a doctor or physician first diagnoses a heart or lung condition, which requires an increased oxygen flow to the body, they will normally instruct the patient to start home oxygen therapy. This involves the patient being hooked up by a nasal cannula to a large cumbersome oxygen cylinder, which severely restricts the mobility of the patient. The source of providing this oxygen is usually by a noisy compresser, which uses a substantial amount of energy.

If you are a patient requiring oxygen therapy, who used to enjoy going out to shop, eat or travel by car or plane to see loved ones, there are now alternative lightweight portable oxygenators available, such as the Inogen One. This oxygen concentrator makes it's own oxygen so it never has to be refilled, relieving the worries about remembering to order and wait for deliveries of replacement oxygen cylinders. A substantial saving on your energy bill can also be made by using the Inogen One against a traditional oxygen cylinder system. The Inogen One portable oxygenator is lightweight weighing less than 10lbs and can be used at home, at the shops, in the car using a dc outlet and on most major airlines. it has a low noise level and comes with a 3 hour rechargeable battery and adapters for use in a car or on a plane.