BOISE, Idaho — A revolutionary portable oxygen system— which can be used safely without danger of exploding — will go into production next month, OX-GEN Flexible Life Systems, Inc, announced today.

OX-GEN received Federal Drug and Administration approval earlier this year for the units, which provide 15 to 30 minutes of oxygen each.

Unlike the traditional units, which store highly flammable pure oxygen under pressure, OX-GEN’s units produce non-pressurized oxygen on the spot. They begin producing 99.97 percent pure oxygen in 27 seconds.

“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 Frank Fosella, chairman and president of OX-GEN. “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.”

The system comes in a bright orange thermal bag that holds a plastic cylinder containing the pre-measured amounts of manganese, platinum, hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate. Opening rotary valves mixes the chemicals, which start generating oxygen immediately. The unit generates 6 liters per minute of 99.9 percent pure oxygen for a minimum of 15 and up to 30 minutes.

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.

The units will sell approximately for $140, about two-thirds the price of most pressurized oxygen containers.

Fosella, who previously ran a marketing firm here, and a group of private investors founded OX-GEN in 2003. He heard about the concept from a local businessman who had an idea for a protective suit for emergencies that would incorporate an oxygen supply. The suit turned out to be impractical for other reasons, but Fosella was so impressed with the idea of making the oxygen system accessible to everyone without a prescription that he closed his 20-year marketing firm and bought the rights to the idea. He has spent the past two years refining the concept and obtaining FDA approval.

Manufacturing will be outsourced through a licensing agreement. The initial step will be to set up the appropriate FDA-approved production facilities, Fosella said, and delivery of the first units is scheduled for the second quarter of 2006.

Additional information is available by calling 208-336-0773 or on the Internet at www.ox-gen.us .

OX-GEN manufactures non-explosive lightweight systems that produce emergency oxygen in less than 30 seconds. The company based in Boise, Idaho, received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its first product in August 2005. It is the first emergency oxygen system available in the United States without a prescription. Additional information is available by calling 208-336-0773 or on the Internet at www.ox-gen.us .