LUXFER LAUNCHES NEXT-GENERATION OXYGEN CYLINDERS

28 November 2006

Luxfer launches next-generation oxygen cylinders for ambulatory patients

NOTTINGHAM, England � Luxfer Gas Cylinders launched its revolutionary new range of Luxfer Medical oxygen cylinders for ambulatory patients at Medica 2006 in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Marketed under the trade names Voyage�, Excursion� and Odyssey�, these next-generation cylinders were specifically developed to enhance freedom and mobility for ambulatory patients reliant on oxygen both in and out of home.

Voyage products are all-metal cylinders manufactured from Luxfer's patented, higher-strength L7X� aluminium alloy. Excursion products are hoop-wrapped cylinders with exclusive L7X aluminium liners. Odyssey products are ultra-lightweight carbon composite cylinders.

Vicky Butler, Luxfer's international medical marketing manager explained: �Luxfer's new range of carbon composite and hoop-wrap cylinders provide patients with up to 50% more oxygen than conventional aluminium cylinders of the same size�with the added advantage of a compact, lightweight design. For example, Odyssey and Voyage cylinders can be filled to 300-bar pressure, increasing oxygen delivery time considerably and thus allowing users much greater freedom and mobility than ever before.

�Increased oxygen capacity is important to patients who gain much more ambulation time and need to change cylinders far less often,� she continued. �Homecare providers also benefit, saving money on deliveries since fewer trips to patients' homes are required in this era of ever-increasing fuel costs.�

Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), when properly prescribed and maintained, is the only non-surgical therapy clinically proven to extend the lives of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and low blood-oxygen levels. In addition to prolonging life, LTOT improves the quality of life for many patients who use oxygen-dispensing units in homes and vehicles.

During the Medica 2006 exhibition, Luxfer hosted a fund-raising event on behalf of the British Lung Foundation's �Find the Missing Millions' campaign by inviting visitors to donate one euro in return for a decorative piggy bank.

Lightweight Luxfer Medical cylinders are widely used throughout Europe, North America and Asia.

For more information on Luxfer's revolutionary range of ambulatory oxygen cylinders, visit our website www.luxfercylinders.com.