BREATHE EASY…ANYWHERE

PANAKEIA AND ADS INTRODUCE PORTABLE OXYGEN GENERATION CAPABILITY TO THE BATTLEFIELD

The SAROS Oxygen System was designed and developed in cooperation with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMMA) to address the combustion and logistical challenges incurred by high-pressure oxygen cylinders and liquid oxygen currently being fielded by the U.S. Army on the battlefield. The solution, SAROS, is a 12-pound portable oxygen generator that drastically reduces logistical issues related to oxygen supply for patient care in the field. This is one of the few products USAMMA has completed the Acquisition Category III (ACAT III) Milestone A to C decision process. The contract for production, training and kitting was awarded to the team comprised of ADS, Inc. and Panakeia LLC with a fielding plan of 7,000 SAROS systems over the next 4 years.

Existing battlefield oxygen transport solutions pose significant challenges. Oxygen from current containers is rapidly consumed, making the continuous availability of oxygen a logistical headache. Exacerbating the logistics issue, storage and transport of portable oxygen requires strict oversight, as it is flammable and explosive. The SAROS Oxygen System is a small portable oxygen generator providing a safe, lightweight, reusable, and rugged solution that meets the demands of both battlefield care and medical evacuations. It can be custom configured to provide oxygen needs or advanced critical care needs for point of injury, evacuation – both land and ground, forward surgical suites and institutions.

The SAROS Oxygen System, Model 3000 is a small lightweight, battery-operated, oxygen concentrator capable of providing up to three liters per minute of U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP) 93 percent medical grade oxygen at continuous flow, provided there is a power source. This product is 30 percent lighter than its commercial counterpart. This eliminates the necessity to refill and transport combustible bottled oxygen on the battlefield. The product has been 510(k) cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has the CE Mark and is air-worthiness certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for use aboard all medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) UH-60 L/M Blackhawk helicopters and commercial aircraft. The SAROS Oxygen System has also been selected as the oxygen system of choice for U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Casualty Evacuation Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) missions.

SAROS will most likely be fielded in kits, such as air and ground ambulance, unit assemblages provided for forward surgical teams, EMT/trauma and pre-op and intensive care ward/post-op. As noted by USAMMA, SAROS maintains the traditional cylindrical shape of its conventional predecessor to satisfy the requirement to fit where any regular cylinder would go on a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle or Humvee. This allows it to secure into the existing oxygen storage racks of Army evacuation vehicles. Additionally, SAROS is designed to augment the ‘D’ cylinder for patient care and transport, providing a continuous supply of oxygen for non-critical patients using standard electrical power.

The genesis of SAROS began in 2002 as a USAMMA product development cooperative agreement to develop a small lightweight, battery-operated oxygen system for the battlefield. The first model was launched into the home healthcare market for people afflicted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 2006. In 2008, the Department of Defense (DOD) fielded more than 8,000 of the ruggedized version of this product.

Additional research and development led to a smaller and more lightweight system, renamed SAROS in 2009, and was ready for launch in 2011, though the U.S. Army was required to ensure each milestone in the ACAT III process was accomplished. Once the final approval was achieved in 2014, the four-year contract was awarded September 2015.

About Panakeia, LLC

Panakeia, LLC, specializes in marketing, training and distributing advanced medical products to military, pre-hospital care and emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, fire/rescue, veterans administration and hospital critical care. Panakeia’s mission is to provide the medical community with unique solutions and innovative products that transform patient care and save lives. We represent products such as SAROS Oxygen System and RevMedX XSTAT Expandable Sponges. Panakeia was formed in 2011 by Jim Meadows, a retired Army Medical Service Corps and Washington government relations consultant, and Pam Jackson, an engineer with more than 30 years of experience with medical device companies. To learn more, please visit www.panakeiausa.com.

About Chart Industries

Chart is a leading diversified global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment for the industrial gas, energy, and biomedical industries. The majority of Chart's products are used throughout the liquid gas supply chain for purification, liquefaction, distribution, storage and end-use applications, the largest portion of which are energy-related. Chart has domestic operations located across the United States and an international presence in Asia, Australia and Europe. To learn more, please visit: https://www.chartindustries.com.

About ADS

ADS Inc. is a leading solutions provider that proudly serves all branches of the U.S. Military, federal, state and local government organizations, law enforcement agencies, first responders, partner nations and the defense industry. The company’s medical team is comprised of multiple subject matter experts with backgrounds and experience in military medicine. Their specialties include, but are certainly not limited to, combat medicine, custom medical kitting solutions, domestic preparedness, emergency medical services, evacuation & rescue, battalion aid stations and medical treatment solutions. Overall, ADS is focused on solving customers’ challenges through the largest product and service offerings, the broadest array of procurement and contract options, world-class support and logistics solutions and legendary customer service. To learn more, please visit the ADS website at www.adsinc.com.