Medical plastics expert plays key role in new oxygen device

PolyOne has collaborated with Rapid Oxygen, a Stamford, CT-based company, on polymer selection for the development of its new emergency oxygen device called R15. Launched this month, the FDA-cleared unit is marketed as the only emergency oxygen device that is non-explosive, portable, easy to use, and doesn’t require external power.

PolyOne provided a variety of solutions from its distribution portfolio to address the needs for internal and external R15 components. A number of material types and grades from PolyOne, Covestro, and Trinseo were used to meet critical short- and long-term device needs that included impact, chemical, and high temperature resistance, as well as dimensional and color stability.

The patented, portable, R15 emergency oxygen delivery system can be deployed everywhere an AED (automated external defibrillator) is located to help a person with airway or cardiac emergencies in the first critical minutes before EMS arrives. It can be placed in virtually any public location, much like a fire extinguisher.

Working in conjunction with the University of Michigan and a team of scientists and engineers, Rapid Oxygen CEO and founder, Richard Imbruce, developed the R15 to deliver 15 minutes of 100% humidified oxygen at 6 liters per minute.

“We were inspired by the need to make oxygen accessible to more people in emergency situations,” said Imbruce. “Our focus was to create a device that produces non-explosive oxygen in a portable and user-friendly way. PolyOne was instrumental in helping to streamline the development and production cycles through regulatory support, material expertise and selection, and supply chain solutions. They helped us get to market faster and address our needs for the device housing and components.”