By B.C. Kessner
QUANTICO, Va.—Ultra Electronics Tuesday unveiled for the first time in the United States its mGO ruggedized military lightweight portable oxygen system capable of providing around the clock supplemental oxygen for a patient without the need for explosive-hazard oxygen bottles.
“We’re targeting a projected Army requirement for a lightweight oxygen generator,” George Straubs, Ultra’s U.S. marketing director, told Defense Daily Monday in a telephone interview.
The request for proposals is expected in about the December timeframe. The scope of the requirement is not known, but could be for up to 5,000 units. Straubs said that Ultra expected several other competitors for the program.
“We’re positioned well, as most [competing firms] are looking at providing a military-specific system and producing it in relatively small batches, which will drive the cost up,” Straubs said.
Ultra’s mGO (from military generator oxygen) is based on proven oxygen concentrator technology from Somerset, Pa.-based DeVilbiss Healthcare. Ultra has signed an agreement with DeVilbiss for the use of their technology for military portable oxygen systems worldwide. As a ruggedized variant of an already established production system, the company thinks it can offer a unit capable of functioning in harsh environments at a very competitive price, Straubs said.
mGO is designed to deliver medical grade supplementary oxygen to support casualties and patients at the point of need, eliminating the need for cumbersome, or dangerous cylinder-based alternatives.
“mGO is ideal for military users…as well as those who engage in humanitarian and relief operations,” Straubs said. These are users and situations where performance, reliability, light weight, ease of use and low maintenance are critical, he added.
mGO weighs about 21 pounds and has a single push button operation. A lithium ion battery provides about 1.6 hours of power, and the system is compatible with military vehicle carriage. It runs on 12V or 24V DC, as well as AC from a wall outlet or generator, giving several options for meeting the only limitation on its ability to support a patient-the availability of power.
mGO generates oxygen by separating out nitrogen from ambient air. It has filtration systems to scrub out dust and hydrocarbons and effectively purges carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, Straubs said.