Copyright 2005 Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Copyright 2005 The Idaho Statesman (Boise) 

By MIKE MAHARRY
The Idaho Statesman (Idaho)  

A portable oxygen system that can be used without danger of exploding will go into production this winter after winning FDA approval.

A Boise businessman, Frank Fosella, sold his marketing business two years ago to devote all his efforts to this new product, which avoids the use of pressurized containers and can be purchased without a prescription.

"These units can be used in firefighting, military operations, mines and others places where pressurized oxygen is unsafe because of the potential fire danger," said Fosella, chairman and president of Ox-Gen Flexible Life Systems Inc. "They also will provide a significant extra margin of safety in aircraft and hospitals. In addition, they weigh only 12 pounds, making them ideal for search and rescue operations, boating or mountaineering. We are extremely excited about the potential."

Fosella said another advantage is that the Ox-Gen system does not require a prescription.

"Until now, you could get oxygen only with a prescription or by calling 911," Fosella said. "Our system will make it feasible to keep emergency oxygen in public buildings such as senior citizens centers, convention complexes, airports, schools, churches and restaurants."

Ox-Gen received Federal Drug Administration approval earlier this year for the units, which provide 15 to 30 minutes of oxygen each. The units will sell for approximately $ 140, about two-thirds the price of most pressurized oxygen containers.

Fosella said he has more than 250 "solid contacts" with companies and organizations interested in buying the new product, including airlines, hospitals, mine operators, schools, health clubs, churches, gyms, the military, and police and fire departments. He said he's now negotiating with manufacturing, distribution and marketing firms needed to get the units to consumers.

Delivery of the first units is scheduled for the second quarter of 2006.

Steve Hatten, new product development manager for TechHelp, sees the potential in the product. TechHelp, a program affiliated with Boise State University that assists manufacturers, is helping Ox-Gen finalize its packaging and components. Hatten supervises three mechanical engineering students on the Ox-Gen project.

"I'm on the ski patrol at Bogus and we keep oxygen in pressurized canisters that are big and heavy," Hatten said in an earlier interview with The Statesman. "This new way of deploying oxygen is interesting, and it eliminates the weight and danger."

Fosella also is working with Jeff Viano at the state Commerce & Labor Department's Office of Science and Technology, who is helping Ox-Gen apply for a Small Business Innovation Research grant.

Additional information is available by calling 208-336-0773 or going online to www.ox-gen.us.