HELiOS? TheHELiOS Personal Oxygen System from Puritan Bennett is an easy-to-use, two-piece system including:
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A base reservoir that stores liquid oxygen -
An amazingly small, lightweight and long-lasting portable unit
Using theHELiOS system may help you become more active in everyday life. Take a moment to click through the website to learn more about this revolutionary portable oxygen system.
| What is |
To request a HELiOS patient information kit,
call 1-888-4-HELiOS or simply download the brochure.
To learn more about how to get a HELiOS system, click here.
® at a Glance TheHELiOS® Personal Oxygen System offers two convenient sizes in portables – TheHELiOS Marathon™ and theHELiOS Plus™. The patented design of the these two systems offer the following benefits: HELiOS Plus
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10" tall -
Weighs 3.6 pounds filled -
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Lasts up to 10 hours -
Demand flow operation
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15" tall -
Weighs 5.6 pounds filled -
*
Lasts up to 20 hours -
Continuous and demand flow operation
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Increased mobility, freedom and health benefits -
Clips to belt, backpack or shoulder bag -
Requires no batteries or electricity for operation -
(learn more)
Covered by Medicare and most insurance plans when medically necessary and prescribed by a physician -
(learn more)
Could save hundreds on power bills per year
| HELiOS |
Portable oxygen therapy may provide:
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Maximum mobility at home and away -
Increased physical fitness -
Greater social acceptance -
More freedom -
Greater independence -
Improved quality of life
To learn more about how to get aHELiOS system,click here.
| To request a |
If you're already on supplemental oxygen, ask your doctor to authorize a prescription change. You may not need an appointment. Just call your doctor and he or she should be able to submit the necessary paperwork directly to your homecare provider, who will then schedule a date to deliver theHELiOS equipment to you. If you do not have a current prescription for oxygen therapy but believe you may need it, call your doctor to set up an evaluation appointment to determine if theHELiOS Personal Oxygen System is right for you.
Paying for HELiOS
Most insurers and Medicare will pay for theHELiOS Personal Oxygen System if it is medically necessary and prescribed by a physician. Please contact your insurance provider for coverage information.
Obtaining HELiOS Equipment
A supplier can help you with the paperwork required. Although many homecare providers offer theHELiOS system to their patients, some do not. You can find homecare suppliers who supplyHELiOS by clickinghere. These dealers can help you understand the process for getting aHELiOS system. If you are a Medicare patient, you must have a certificate of medical necessity (CMN) with your physician’s original signature on it. Your new supplier can obtain this from your physician or from a previous provider. Medicare patients should not have paperwork barriers to obtain theHELiOS system.
Know Your Rights
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You hold the key to your oxygen therapy and your life. -
It is in your best interest to remain an active participant in choosing the oxygen system that is best suited for you. -
You have the right to ask for the care that you and your doctor determine is most medically appropriate.
TheHELiOS® Personal Oxygen System has two key components:
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HELiOS Plus™
(H300) Portable Oxygen Unit
The -
HELiOS
Home Liquid Oxygen Reservoir
The
HELiOS Home Liquid Oxygen Reservoir TheHELiOS home reservoir stores the liquid oxygen for theHELiOS portable unit. The home reservoir, which is usually filled on a monthly basis by your dealer, is quiet, easy to operate and safe (when used as directed). You can also receive oxygen directly from the reservoir (via the Puritan Bennett® Flow Control valve orOxiClip® Personal Oxygen Conserver) when you are not using the portable unit. This is convenient for restful time at home or for sleeping. Its quiet operation won’t disturb your sleep.
To see how to refill the portable unit from the reservoir,click here. HELiOS System Safety TheHELiOS system has been thoroughly tested by Puritan Bennett and cleared for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is safe when used as directed. FACT:Liquid oxygen is stored under far less pressure than compressed gas cylinders (22 psi for theHELiOS system vs. 2,000 psi for standard compressed gas cylinders). The pressure inside aHELiOS Portable Unit is similar to that of a bicycle tire!Comparing HELiOS to Other Oxygen Systems Don’t be fooled by other portable oxygen systems. No other system this small and light lasts so long. PlusHELiOS uses no batteries, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power. The chart below shows howHELiOS compares to other types of oxygen systems.
Patient
Testimonials“I learned about HELiOS from a friend of mine. Before that, I had to haul around extra oxygen cylinders, which was very difficult. Now it’s easier for me to go up and down stairs. I don’t have any trouble getting around at all.” Jim Culpepper, 78, Elgin, IL
“I was on oxygen tanks, which was very limiting to activities outside the home. My wife used to have to help me with everything. I just couldn’t do much. I had trouble getting in and out of the car by myself. HELiOS changed all that for me.” Arlen Huff, 67, Fort Wayne, IN
“I switched to HELiOS and now I have freedom. I can do anything. I go bowling and I play golf. My husband loves it … he likes the fact that I’m a lot happier now.” Peg Domaleski, 61, New Bern, NC
“The thing I like most about HELiOS is the mobility. I live at 8,000 feet – and I still snow ski and go off-road motorcycling. HELiOS has allowed me to do all that.” Paul Johnston, 70, Vail, CO
"I have emphysema and I've been on HELiOS about a year. I was on a setting of three liters of oxygen but have now cut back to one. HELiOS is practical, long lasting and easy to use. And I can strap it on when I exercise." William White, Plympton, MA
Physician Testimonials
"Our research studies have shown that providing oxygen to COPD patients enhances their exercise tolerance substantially. It's importanat that oxygen equipment be lightweight so that a patient's ability to ambulate is enhanced. More active patients have a better quality of life and may have a better long-term prognosis." Richard Casaburi, PhD, MD Harbor-UCLA Reasearch and Education Institute Torrance, CA
"Patients use HELiOS because it's lightweight, easy to refill and easier to carry, hence they're more compliant. Also, it doesn't cause shoulder pain or irritation like heavier M-6 tanks. The increased mobility and physical activity help my patients lead more productive lives." Jim Barnett, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator Mission Hospital Region Medical Center Mission Viejo, CA
"Ambulatory oxygen therapy helps patients remain physically active for more of their life, which, typically, means they stay healthier and enjoy better quality of life. Compared to emergency room and other related healthcare costs, ambulatory oxygen systems such as HELiOS provide better and more effective use of healthcare dollars." Steven Zimmet, MD Virginia Hospital Center and President National Association for Medical Directino of Respiratory Care (NAMDRC) Arlington, VA
"Now that I need ambulatory oxygen myself, HELiOS allows me to maintain my mobility and participate in all of life's adventurous activities. I wouldn't have such freedom or the ability to exercise with any other system, because HELiOS lasts all day." Thomas L. Petty, MD
Here are some commonly asked questions about the HELiOS® Personal Oxygen System from Puritan Bennett. What is the HELiOS Personal Oxygen System? HELiOS is a portable liquid oxygen system for patients requiring supplemental oxygen. No other portable system this small and light lasts so long.Who can use HELiOS? The HELiOS Plus™ Portable Oxygen Unit is best for active oxygen therapy users who can use a conserving device with a prescription of 4 liters per minute or less. The HELiOS Marathon™ Portable Oxygen Unit is ideal for oxygen therapy patients, who need higher oxygen levels provided by continuous flow. HELiOS Marathon also benefits demand flow patients who want to be on the go longer.How does the HELiOS Personal Oxygen System function? HELiOS is an easy-to-use, two-piece system. It includes a base reservoir that stores liquid oxygen, and a portable unit, which is filled from the reservoir. The reservoir may only require filling once every four to five weeks by your homecare provider. The portable unit is filled from the reservoir in about 40 to 90 seconds, depending on model.
Is the HELiOS system safe? The FDA and the Compressed Gas Association document safe handling methods for all types of oxygen used in the home. Liquid oxygen systems have been safely used by hundreds of thousands of patients. In fact, liquid oxygen is stored under far less pressure than compressed gas cylinders that you may be currently using (22 psi vs. 2,000 psi).
What are the benefits of a liquid oxygen system over a gas system? Unlike bulky, heavy gas oxygen cylinders that must be carted around, a HELiOS Portable Oxygen Unit is so small and lightweight that it fits into a compact carrying pouch with either a shoulder or belt strap or backpack, leaving your hands free. There's also less worry about running out of oxygen while out and about, since the HELiOS portable units provide a long-lasting oxygen supply.
How can a device so small last so long? The HELiOS Plus portable unit delivers oxygen only when you breathe in and stops when you breathe out. This results in less waste and makes oxygen last longer between refills.
How does the system operate without the need for batteries or electricity? The HELiOS portable unit uses an oxygen-conserving valve to deliver oxygen to the user. This valve uses pressure rather than electricity to operate. Heat from the atmosphere around the portable causes the liquid oxygen to constantly vaporize and maintain pressure in the unit. This pressure enables the conserver valve to provide oxygen flow to the user.
How can I get a HELiOS system? If you're already on oxygen, ask your doctor to authorize a prescription change. You may not need an appointment. Just call your doctor and he or she should be able to submit the necessary paperwork directly to your homecare provider, who will then schedule a date to deliver the HELiOS equipment to you. If you do not have a current prescription for oxygen therapy but believe you may need it, call your doctor to set up an evaluation appointment to determine if the HELiOS system is right for you.
Is the HELiOS system covered by insurance? If you’re already on oxygen, most insurance providers will allow you to switch to a different type of equipment without affecting your coverage. Check with your carrier to be sure. If you are not currently on oxygen, your doctor will need to evaluate you and determine whether a portable oxygen system is medically necessary. If your doctor determines that your condition requires supplemental oxygen therapy and prescribes it for you, most insurance companies will cover liquid oxygen systems, such as HELiOS. Please contact your insurance provider for coverage verification.
Can I use HELiOS on airplanes? Currently, airlines require passengers to use oxygen cylinders provided to the patient by the airline at $75 per flight segment. Puritan Bennett is currently participating in an initiative seeking to gain approval for other oxygen modalities in order to make airline travel easier and less expensive for oxygen patients.
How do you coordinate overnight travel with a HELiOS system? Do you need to bring the main reservoir along? The HELiOS Plus unit lasts up to 10 hours and is ideal for day trips away from home without refills. The HELiOS Marathon™ Portable Oxygen Unit lasts up to 20 hours and is perfect for a long day away from home. However, if your travel plans take you away overnight, consider also bringing the Puritan Bennett® Companion® 21 Liquid Oxygen Reservoir, which can be transported by car as long as it is in a secure, well-ventilated area. You can then refill your HELiOS portable unit from the Companion 21 reservoir. Contact your homecare provider for further assistance.
Is the HELiOS system available internationally? The HELiOS system from Puritan Bennett is available in many countries around the world. Puritan Bennett is a part of Tyco Healthcare. Please contact the appropriate Tyco Healthcare representative in your region.