FAA Clears SeQual’s Eclipse Portable Concentrator for Takeoff; Over one million oxygen patients gain new travel option

SeQual Technologies Inc., which develops oxygen systems known worldwide for their reliability, quality, revolutionary design and economy, announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration has approved their portable Eclipse Oxygen System for use aboard commercial airliners.

The Eclipse is the only portable concentrator on the market that provides continuous flow of up to 3 liters of oxygen per minute. Thus the FAA’s approval means that the over 1 million Americans needing continuous flow oxygen therapy now have an all-in-one oxygen concentrator that can be used during travel as well as when they reach their ultimate destination.

“For me, the bottom line is now I can travel to Germany to visit my grandkids,” said Trixie Robinson, an oxygen patient in Carlsbad. “Before the Eclipse, I had to arrange for oxygen tanks wherever I was going. Now I just buy a plane ticket and go.”

Developed over five years at a cost of $12 million, the Eclipse weighs 17 pounds, has a retractable handle and wheels for mobility, and is about the size of a student’s backpack. It was designed to fit easily under standard airplane seats. Prior to the Eclipse, patients needing continuous flow oxygen were required to make arrangements for the delivery of multiple oxygen cylinders or to ship large stationary concentrators to their destination and pay extra fees for oxygen onboard the airplane.

In addition to oxygen patients, oxygen providers also stand to benefit from the FAA decision.

“Now, when we have a patient going on a long trip, we just give them an Eclipse,” said Jim Karls, President of Halprin, Inc., a provider in upstate New York. “The Eclipse gives us a simple solution to what used to be a very complicated logistical problem.”

The new Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR 106) ruling that allows airline passengers to use their Eclipse onboard became effective on September 12, 2006.

“This is also good news for the airlines because of the light weight, portability and safety of the Eclipse when compared to cylinders,” said Jim Bixby, SeQual CEO. “The Eclipse runs on battery power and is the only portable concentrator with continuous-flow capability, the standard for long-term oxygen therapy patients. Also, it’s much quieter when compared to other concentrators – an important attribute for travelers.”

Vernon Pertelle, a member of the SeQual board who has more than 20 years experience in the field, most recently as corporate director of respiratory care and HME services at Apria Healthcare, said the approval marks a significant step in improving the quality of life for oxygen patients.

“They can be un-tethered from old technology and have their therapeutic needs met wherever they go — from home, to car, to RV, to train or airplane,” said Pertelle. “They now have a portable with both continuous and pulse flow – integral to meeting their needs.”

About SeQual Technologies Inc. Founded in 1991, SeQual offers a family of innovative products ranging from the 3 LPM (liter-per-minute) continuous flow portable Eclipseâ„¢ to its popular, compact, easy-to-use bedside 10 LPM unit. More than 80,000 oxygen systems in use today rely on SeQual’s proven technology. SeQual’s air separation systems are used for industrial applications such as water purification, oxygenation for aquaculture, producing feed gas for ozone generators, or for any other processes needing high-purity, dry oxygen or nitrogen on site. SeQual is a private company based in San Diego. For information on the Sequal Eclipse Portable Oxygen Concentrator