More than 12 million Americans are currently diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), commonly known as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, and an additional 12 million likely have the disease, but don’t know it. Currently, COPD is the fourth-leading cause of death behind cancer, stroke and heart disease. It kills 120,000-plus Americans each year and leads to one death every four minutes.

Of the 12 million COPD sufferers, two million are prescribed supplemental oxygen. The good news: The days of supplemental oxygen users being homebound and tethered to a heavy oxygen tank or large oxygen concentrator are over. David Shockley, Jr., president of Austin-based Inova Labs, witnessed the COPD-related struggles of his grandfather, who spent the final years of his life homebound with an oxygen tank. From that point on, Shockley vowed to do all he could to ensure oxygen therapy users live a high quality of life.

“When my grandfather used supplemental oxygen, the only portable choice was an oxygen tank, which turned his home into a self-imposed prison,” Shockley said.

Inova Labs, a medical device development company, is helping Austinites in need of supplemental oxygen therapy breathe a little easier. Inova Labs is the creator, manufacturer and distributor of the LifeChoice portable oxygen concentrator, which is the smallest, lightest-weight and most technologically advanced oxygen contractor available on the market.

LifeChoice delivers true mobility, performance and independence without tanks and carts. The stationary and portable oxygen concentrator is less than five pounds and is about the size of a portable CD player. It features a pulse dose system designed for oxygen users with a prescription for 1 to 3 liters per minute of supplemental oxygen therapy.

Additionally, its state-of-the-art Sleep Mode technology increases sensitivity to detect breathing by 10 times, which ensures LifeChoice detects nighttime breathing and supplies the necessary oxygen therapy. The LifeChoice is the only portable concentrator system designed with endless oxygen pulse for round-the-clock use.

The national release of LifeChoice this past summer came on the heels of a one-year period of distribution in select markets. When oxygen therapy users learn about LifeChoice, they’re often surprised that such a small device can deliver the same powerful flow of oxygen as much larger devices. LifeChoice’s size is key to helping its users be as active as possible, which is vital for managing COPD.

“My mode of living is almost normal now, opposed to being home-ridden and not able to do the things I like, thanks to the LifeChoice,” said Bill Bailey, LifeChoice user and Austin/Rockport resident. Bailey previously used a larger oxygen concentrator in his home and smaller, portable oxygen tanks when away from home.

Any doctor will say that better mobility and exercise lead to a longer, healthier life, but staying active and even performing routine tasks is nearly impossible while pulling a large tank or concentrator. LifeChoice not only is discreet, but also offers portability and mobility for its users, allowing them the freedom to again experience simple joys such as walking outside without cumbersome equipment. LifeChoice is also FAA approved for in-flight use, so those who use tanks and large oxygen concentrators are free to travel again.

“We have had numerous patients send us personal thank-you notes expressing their deep gratitude for inventing something that has transformed how they live with COPD,” Shockley said. LifeChoice is distributed locally through preferred home medical equipment

(HME) and durable medical equipment (DME) providers, and here in Austin, Breath of Life Home Oxygen is a LifeChoice preferred provider. Local Austin LifeChoice user Herman Lind couldn’t say enough about Sandy, the Breath of Life Home Oxygen representative he worked with to get his LifeChoice.

“She helped make the process simple,” Lind said. When Lind’s doctor reached out to Breath of Life Home Oxygen to help get Lind a LifeChoice, Sandy jumped into action. “She helped me with the paperwork and got me approved,” Lind said. “The next thing I know, the LifeChoice was being delivered, and I recommend it for anybody on supplemental oxygen.”

Medicare and most insurance plans reimburse for LifeChoice. Nationally, LifeChoice is available at www.lifechoiceoxygen.com; you can also call the customer care center at 800-220-0977 for more information. Locally, you can contact Breath of Life Home Oxygen at 866-777-3380.