This is an old article about the discontinued UltraFill product from Philips Respironics. We do no longer supply this, please refer to Philips official website for support
The Ultra Fill oxygen system is a fantastic product for anyone seeking a solution to a ready supply of filled oxygen cylinders. It is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of oxygen patients including those who are highly active or require continuous flow.
What are the applications for the Ultra Fill?
The system is suited to a residential or support facility, and it can easily be used at home. The Ultra Fill system is ideal for nursing homes and residential facilities where residents may want to leave the facility for a period of time. They are able to take one or more cylinders to supply their supplementary oxygen whilst away from the facility.
Another potential application for the Ultra Fill is Emergency Support. The cylinders can be safely carried to any location and supply a reliable source of oxygen until transporting the injured person to further medical care or a hospital.
How does the Ultra Fill work?
Designed to be compatible with the Philips Everflo in-home concentrator, the Ultra Fill neatly connects via a pneumatic tube. Anyone using an oxygen concentrator may use less than one third of the oxygen being produced. Consequently, there is a large wastage factor. The Ultra Fill ‘taps’ this unused oxygen and is able to store it under pressure in cylinders. The other real benefit to this system is that the in-home concentrator can be used at the same time. NOTE: The maximum setting whilst using the in-home concentrator and wanting to fill cylinders is 3LPM.
The Ultra Fill system consists of an oxygen filling station, a compatible oxygen concentrator, one or more oxygen cylinders and an oxygen conserving device or regulator.
What equipment is required?
The Ultra Fill is compatible with the Philips Respironics Everflo stationary oxygen concentrator. The Ultra Fill takes the excess oxygen produced by the inhome concentrator compresses it and fills the cylinder. Once the pressure rating of the cylinder is reached (2000 or 3000psi) the cylinder process stops. The Ultra Fill is able to detect the 2000psi from the 3000psi cylinders. The 3000psi cylinder has a small magnet in the cylinder valve which the Ultra Fill is able to sense. The CHAD Therapeutics 3100 Conserver utilises a full brass core in the areas that make contact with low and high pressure oxygen. As such it is the ‘premium’ type of its range.
As 3000psi cylinders are filled to a greater pressure than the 2000psi, they supply approximately 40% more oxygen. Whilst the 3000psi cylinder can be more expensive to purchase, the consequent savings with heavy usage patients more than justifies the additional cost.
Once you have the in-home concentrator and Ultra Fill connected by the pneumatic tubing, and the cylinder of your choice the final major selection is the CHAD Conserver or Regulator.
How does the oxygen conserver and regulator work?
Oxygen Flow control regulators and conserving devices are pressure reducing devices designed to regulate or lower oxygen pressure from a cylinder to levels that can be safely used by the patient. A Regulator simply regulates the (free) flow from an oxygen cylinder in other words it is continuous flow. A Conserving Device is an entirely different kind of device that delivers a ‘pulse’ of oxygen as the patient inhales (on demand).
The CHAD Therapeutics Bonsai pneumatic oxygen conserver includes a combination of a lowpressure regulator and an oxygen conserver. It is capable of delivering a precise amount of oxygen at the optimal point in the breathing cycle - at the beginning of inspiration.
It is not intended for use during sleep or by patients who:
- breathe more than 40 breaths per minute, or
- are mouth breathers (the oxygen is released on taking a breath through the nose).
The CHAD Therapeutics 3100 Regulator is used for those situations where continuous flow is required.
Comparison Tables for Portable Oxygen Concentrators
| Model | Image | Weight | Output | Sleep Compatibility | *Battery Life at 2LPM Eq | Unit | Filter/Sieve Bed | Battery & Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inova Activox 4L | 
|
2.1kg | Pulse wave 1-4LPM Eq | Yes, if a non mouth breather | 8.25hr | 3 Years | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Phillips Simply Go Mini |
 |
2.7kg (extended battery) 2.3kg (standard battery ) |
Pulse settings 1-5 | Yes, if a non mouth breather |
9hrs (extended battery) 4.5hrs (standard battery) |
3 Years | 1 Year | 90 Days |
| Phillips SImply Go |  |
4.5kg with battery (2x batteries supplied) |
Pulse Settings 1-6 Continuous Setting 0.5-2 |
Yes, to 2LPM Eq |
Pulse (3.5hr continuous 49 minutes) |
2 Years | 1 Year | 90Days |
| Sequal Eclipse 5* |
 |
8.3kg with battery (2x batteries supplied) | Pulse Settings 1-9 continuous setting 0.5-3LPM |
Yes, to 3LPM Eq continous Yes, on Pulse if a non mouth breather |
Pulse (5.1hr continuous -2hr) |
3 Years | 1 Year | 1 Year |
Comparison Table for In-Home Concentrators
| Model | Image | Weight | Output | Sleep Compatibility | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillips Everflo | 
|
14kg | 0.5-5LPM continuous |
Yes | 3 Years includes processor |
| NewLife Intensity 10* |
 |
26.3kg | 1-5LPMx2 1-10LPMx1 |
Yes |
3 Years Includes compressor |