Bayer MaterialScience's Bayblend® FR3001 Polycarbonate/ABS Selected For Use In First Independent Oxygen Concentrator

Bayer MaterialScience's Bayblend® FR3001 PC/ABS was selected for use in the production of a new device used in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The device is manufactured by Goleta for the California-based company Inogen, Inc. The new device, the Inogen One®, is the home medical equipment industry's first Independent Oxygen Concentrator. It relies on Bayblend PC/ABS and its proven durability to help form the device's external housing as well as its blower funnel and battery sleeve.

"We (Inogen) were attracted to Bayblend FR3001 PC/ABS because of the material's strength, fire rating and durability," said Geoff Deane, vice president of engineering at Inogen.

Because the Inogen One is a combined stationary and portable device, it was designed to handle the rigors of daily use. Bayblend FR3001 PC/ABS provides increased strength to the device's external housing, which helps protect and extend the life of the Inogen One.

Bayblend FR3001 PC/ABS, which is halogen/antimony-free and TCO 95/99, Nordic Swan and Blue Angel compliant, helps Inogen meet safety and fire ratings required by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The material also provides a high degree of design flexibility due to its flow properties which allow it to completely fill complex molds. "We were interested in the reported improvements in moldability of the Bayblend PC/ABS 3001 product," said Deane. "Ultimately, the improved properties helped our injection molder produce higher quality plastic parts."

Omnica, a product design and development company in Irvine, Calif., collaborated with Inogen in the overall design, mechanical engineering, test functions and systems integration. "The complexity of adapting a large, noisy, floor-based machine into a battery-powered, lightweight, portable device was an engineering challenge," said Don Archambault, director of business development, Omnica. "However, using new technologies and Bayblend FR3001 PC/ABS, we were able to produce a prototype that met Inogen's specifications."

The concept for the Inogen One was initially developed by three students from the University of California, Santa Barbara. The device is designed to replace both floor-based oxygen concentrators and portable oxygen delivery devices. Unlike floor-based oxygen concentrators, which weigh as much as 50 pounds, the Inogen One weighs less than 10 pounds. Additionally, the Inogen One eliminates the need for tanks typically associated with portable oxygen delivery systems and is capable of delivering 90% +/- 3% pure oxygen.

In addition to the housing, blower fan and battery sleeve that are made of Bayblend PC/ABS, Inogen uses the material in various accessory parts for the Inogen One – the Satellite Conserver and External Battery Charger.