SOLO 2 by Invacare
From the “Patient’s perspective” testing at 5500 ft altitude Roxlyn G. Cole roxlyngcd@comcast.net Invacare's new SOLO 2Portable Oxygen Concentrator hascontinuousflow oxygen 1- 3 LPM + pulse dose oxygen# 1-5. Last fall I was loaned this POC by AMSR (American Medical Sales and Repair http://www.traveloxygen.org/ )
I hadcataracts and problems reading then, this delayed typing up my notes, but now I am good to go. So many health challenges develop with age and lung problems, but oh how portable oxygen helps us and this machine is sweet.
While testing the Solo 2, I used 3 different Oxygen delivery systems:
My TTO -Transtracheal delivery system(www.tto2.com), Oxyview glasses(http://www.oxyview.com/)and aregular Salter cannula(http://www.salterlabs.com/ ).
I used 3 oximetersto check my oxygen saturation, ( two Nonin’s and, and the lowest price Oxyview model. All consistently read out within 3% of each other. Having several readings allows me to arrive at an average ‘Sats’ number , which may or may not be similar to any other patient.
If a patient has a similar diffusion to mine, (53% DLCO) and a good Fev 1 in the 70’s … maybe we could use the same machine. We are all so different. Keep in mind this testing was done at & above 5500 ft altitude.That’s right, over a mile high. Thus almost simulating how it might be if in an airplane.
I require oxygen 24/7 2- 4 L for slow and easy moving using TTO transtracheal oxygen, when I used the cannula I required 3-5 liters. If I walk at 4 mph I need up to 16 liters at altitude - so with POC's I must reduce my pace. The Solo 2 manual? I love, it because it explains everything, points out notes one MUST observe. It is a long 51 pages covering everything you could want to know. I wish it was a bit smaller for carrying along while out and about, there are so many alarms/sounds to remember.
First impression: it is big! BUT, the larger the size the better options to oxygenate the patient, so it is beautiful! The frosted window screen was difficult for me to read, but maybe that was because of my cataracts. At first it didn’t charge up properly, I learned to give a hard push, until the cable ka-chunked into place, but then it was difficult for me to remove, and I don’t have arthritis… but it was charged.
Turning it on to 2L while charging, the cart handle rattled adding to the high pitched whine sound. I had to turn up the TV, or put the unit in another room. My husband has high frequency hearing loss- he could not hear it at all! I tend to be sensitive to noise at higher pitch and the rattling cart handle drove me nuts. I fixed that with a handle wrap (needed anyway for comfort) to hold it steady. While sitting using a 50 ft tube (they recommend only 25’ They’d be very happy to know, it worked well) . On #2 continuous, my oxygen saturation was excellent 98 % even on 50ft + 7ft).
On #1 Pulse flow- With my TTO= O2 sats were at 97% ,
the Oxyview glasses = 96%,
& with a Salter cannula = 95%. All fine! My side observation - *how much better the TTO/Transtracheal oxygenation is over the other two*. It really takes in the O2 flow and delivers it where needed for the best oxygenation, which in some portables, it thus allows for a lower number setting, making different portable oxygen units of all kinds, last longer. On #2 pulse all systems were fine, TTO at 97% + Oxyview glasses = 96 % & with Salter cannula =94%
…thus no need for me to test at higher pulse levels for 5500 ft elevation. I speculate I’d need #3 for an airplane pressured to 8500 ft elevation. Walking on the treadmill challenged the machine much more, as I expected.
When I move, my sats really drop. All three systems 1% difference – cannula good, Oxyview glasses better, and the TTO always had the highest saturation level. #1 pulse walking 1 mph I was adequately oxygenated with sats between 93-95 %. #2 Pulse walking 1 mph was somewhat better - ranging between 94 & 95%. #3 pulse walking 1 mphwas great = 95-96%. Skipped testing at #’s 4 & 5, they would be even better walking that slowly. But, I like to walk a little faster, at least 2 mph. Walking 2 mphon #1 pulse, all delivery systems were 88% or lower, not good on #2 pulse either, so next increase O2 level to #3. On #3 pulse walking at 2 MPH yea! 93-95%. This is what I like, oxygen saturations at or above 95% that allows me to increase my walking speed and endurance and I also recover more quickly. Lower sat levels leave me tired and aching longer. I speculate I could walk close to 3 mph on # 5 setting.
Remember, pulse setting- numbers are not liters:SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SOLO 2 include- Pulse dose settings # 1-5.Average pulse volumes per minute (20 breaths per min.) # 1=18 ml, #2=36 ml, #3=54 ml,
#4=72 ml, & #5=90 ml.Continuous flow 1-3 L It isFAA Approved. No separate battery recharger;
charge battery with either the AC or DC adapter.
Dimensions: 11 in. (27.9 cm) x 8 in. (20.3 cm) x 16.5 in. (41.9 cm). Easy to read control panel; no lights or code to interpret, Sensi-Pulse Technology> While on Pulse delivery, the same amount of O2 per minute is delivered, regardless of breath rate, as breath rate decreases the bolus size increases.
Weight 17 lbs. (7.71 kg), 20 lbs. (9.07 kg) with battery.
MORE detailed specs > http://www.invacare.com/cgi-bin/imhqprd/inv_catalog/prod_cat_detail.jsp?prodID=T. I was impressed with this POC’s performance, even when it included the super challenge for any POC – a trip up to 10,000+ ft above Echo Lake on Mt Evans, Colorado,
Below more POC’s from the patient perspective>
Larger Continuous Flow>http://www.wellsphere.com/copd-emphysema-article/sept-27-2010-links-continuous-f
XPO2 POC>http://www.wellsphere.com/copd-emphysema-article/7-14-11-patient-perspective-of-
LifeChoice POC>http://www.wellsphere.com/copd-emphysema-article/6-29-11-lifechoice-poc-from-the Travel Q&A: Traveling with portable oxygen on flights http://www.mercurynews.com/travel/ci_18476941
EVERGOpoc http://www.wellsphere.com/copd-emphysema-article/june-09-2008-respironics-evergo
"Lyn"
(Roxlyn G. Cole) Littleton, CO
roxlyngcd@comcast.net
Pulmonary rehab and AFTER http://www.wellsphere.com/roxlyn/92052/posts
SOLO 2 by Invacare
Invacare's new SOLO 2Portable Oxygen Concentrator hascontinuousflow oxygen 1- 3 LPM + pulse dose oxygen# 1-5. Last fall I was loaned this POC by AMSR (American Medical Sales and Repair http://www.traveloxygen.org/ )
I hadcataracts and problems reading then, this delayed typing up my notes, but now I am good to go. So many health challenges develop with age and lung problems, but oh how portable oxygen helps us and this machine is sweet.
While testing the Solo 2, I used 3 different Oxygen delivery systems:
My TTO -Transtracheal delivery system(www.tto2.com), Oxyview glasses(http://www.oxyview.com/)and aregular Salter cannula(http://www.salterlabs.com/ ).
I used 3 oximetersto check my oxygen saturation, ( two Nonin’s and, and the lowest price Oxyview model. All consistently read out within 3% of each other. Having several readings allows me to arrive at an average ‘Sats’ number , which may or may not be similar to any other patient.
If a patient has a similar diffusion to mine, (53% DLCO) and a good Fev 1 in the 70’s … maybe we could use the same machine. We are all so different. Keep in mind this testing was done at & above 5500 ft altitude.That’s right, over a mile high. Thus almost simulating how it might be if in an airplane.
I require oxygen 24/7 2- 4 L for slow and easy moving using TTO transtracheal oxygen, when I used the cannula I required 3-5 liters. If I walk at 4 mph I need up to 16 liters at altitude - so with POC's I must reduce my pace.The Solo 2 manual? I love, it because it explains everything, points out notes one MUST observe. It is a long 51 pages covering everything you could want to know. I wish it was a bit smaller for carrying along while out and about, there are so many alarms/sounds to remember.
First impression: it is big! BUT, the larger the size the better options to oxygenate the patient, so it is beautiful! The frosted window screen was difficult for me to read, but maybe that was because of my cataracts.At first it didn’t charge up properly, I learned to give a hard push, until the cable ka-chunked into place, but then it was difficult for me to remove, and I don’t have arthritis… but it was charged.
Turning it on to 2L while charging, the cart handle rattled adding to the high pitched whine sound. I had to turn up the TV, or put the unit in another room. My husband has high frequency hearing loss- he could not hear it at all! I tend to be sensitive to noise at higher pitch and the rattling cart handle drove me nuts. I fixed that with a handle wrap (needed anyway for comfort) to hold it steady. While sitting using a 50 ft tube (they recommend only 25’ They’d be very happy to know, it worked well) . On #2 continuous, my oxygen saturation was excellent 98 % even on 50ft + 7ft).
On #1 Pulse flow- With my TTO= O2 sats were at 97% ,
the Oxyview glasses = 96%,
& with a Salter cannula = 95%. All fine! My side observation - *how much better the TTO/Transtracheal oxygenation is over the other two*. It really takes in the O2 flow and delivers it where needed for the best oxygenation, which in some portables, it thus allows for a lower number setting, making different portable oxygen units of all kinds, last longer.On #2 pulse all systems were fine, TTO at 97% + Oxyview glasses = 96 % & with Salter cannula =94%
…thus no need for me to test at higher pulse levels for 5500 ft elevation. I speculate I’d need #3 for an airplane pressured to 8500 ft elevation.Walking on the treadmill challenged the machine much more, as I expected.
When I move, my sats really drop. All three systems 1% difference – cannula good, Oxyview glasses better, and the TTO always had the highest saturation level. #1 pulse walking 1 mph I was adequately oxygenated with sats between 93-95 %. #2 Pulse walking 1 mph was somewhat better - ranging between 94 & 95%. #3 pulse walking 1 mphwas great = 95-96%. Skipped testing at #’s 4 & 5, they would be even better walking that slowly. But, I like to walk a little faster, at least 2 mph. Walking 2 mphon #1 pulse, all delivery systems were 88% or lower, not good on #2 pulse either, so next increase O2 level to #3. On #3 pulse walking at 2 MPH yea! 93-95%. This is what I like, oxygen saturations at or above 95% that allows me to increase my walking speed and endurance and I also recover more quickly. Lower sat levels leave me tired and aching longer.I speculate I could walk close to 3 mph on # 5 setting.
Remember, pulse setting- numbers are not liters:SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SOLO 2 include- Pulse dose settings # 1-5.Average pulse volumes per minute (20 breaths per min.) # 1=18 ml, #2=36 ml, #3=54 ml,
#4=72 ml, & #5=90 ml.Continuous flow 1-3 L It isFAA Approved. No separate battery recharger;
charge battery with either the AC or DC adapter.
Dimensions: 11 in. (27.9 cm) x 8 in. (20.3 cm) x 16.5 in. (41.9 cm). Easy to read control panel; no lights or code to interpret, Sensi-Pulse Technology> While on Pulse delivery, the same amount of O2 per minute is delivered, regardless of breath rate, as breath rate decreases the bolus size increases.
Weight 17 lbs. (7.71 kg), 20 lbs. (9.07 kg) with battery.
MORE detailed specs > http://www.invacare.com/cgi-bin/imhqprd/inv_catalog/prod_cat_detail.jsp?prodID=T. I was impressed with this POC’s performance, even when it included the super challenge for any POC – a trip up to 10,000+ ft above Echo Lake on Mt Evans, Colorado,
Below more POC’s from the patient perspective>
Larger Continuous Flow>http://www.wellsphere.com/copd-emphysema-article/sept-27-2010-links-continuous-f
XPO2 POC>http://www.wellsphere.com/copd-emphysema-article/7-14-11-patient-perspective-of-LifeChoice POC>http://www.wellsphere.com/copd-emphysema-article/6-29-11-lifechoice-poc-from-the Travel Q&A: Traveling with portable oxygen on flights http://www.mercurynews.com/travel/ci_18476941
EVERGOpoc http://www.wellsphere.com/copd-emphysema-article/june-09-2008-respironics-evergo
The Secret To Successful Aging - simple use your brain to focus on the positive.
"Lyn"http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/231118.php
(Roxlyn G. Cole) Littleton, CO
roxlyngcd@comcast.net
Pulmonary rehab and AFTER http://www.wellsphere.com/roxlyn/92052/posts