Philips Healthcare Introduces Only System that Generates and Stores Liquid Oxygen at Home; HomeLox Helps Increase Freedom for Patients and Reduces Costs for Providers

MURRYSVILLE, Pa., June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHI) today introduced the HomeLox portable liquid oxygen system. The innovative system enables oxygen users to generate and store the liquid form of oxygen in the home setting. The HomeLox system offers users the long-lasting and lightweight characteristics of traditional liquid systems, while freeing them from difficulties of filling and dependence on deliveries associated with conventional systems.

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Home oxygen is a critical, life-sustaining medical treatment prescribed to nearly 1.5 million Medicare patients annually who suffer from respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and American Thoracic Society)

HomeLox includes a liquid oxygen generation and storage unit that remains in the user's home, and a lightweight and long-lasting portable device, GoLox. HomeLox generates liquid oxygen by converting room air into oxygen, and then chilling and converting it to liquid form using a proprietary refrigerant along with standard refrigeration technology found in industrial and household applications. The liquid oxygen is stored within the HomeLox unit until transferred to GoLox for portable use.

In addition to giving users the ability to generate and store liquid oxygen at home, the HomeLox system features a new hands-free clean filling process. To fill the GoLox portable device, the user simply places the unit on top of HomeLox, turns and locks the unit, and pulls the filling lever. The hands-free process helps reduce freezing, overfilling, and under filling. For homecare providers, the new HomeLox liquid system reduces the cost and complexity of current systems commonly associated with delivered liquid oxygen systems which may include the purchase of specialized vehicles, testing equipment, and storage containers, as well as recurrent deliveries and filling-related service calls.

"Now more than ever, the challenge for homecare providers is to eliminate as many non-therapy-related expenses as possible while maintaining a high level of service to oxygen users," Sr. Vice President, General Manager, Sleep and Respiratory Care, Philips Home Healthcare Solutions. "HomeLox helps providers avoid significant upfront costs of traditional liquid systems and offers a new option for those who currently outsource that portion of their business. For providers who currently offer liquid, the system opens up the opportunity to transition away from costs associated with delivery while providing patients the ability to generate oxygen in their homes."

COPD is a progressive, incurable disease that causes irreversible loss of lung function. Home oxygen therapy, when properly prescribed and maintained, has been shown to slow the progress of this degenerative disease. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and American Thoracic Society)

The HomeLox system adds to Philips Respironics portfolio of Right Fit home oxygen products and programs that have been developed to give users the highest possible quality of life and offer homecare providers the resources they need to succeed.

For more information, visit www.philips.com/homelox

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving peoples lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of sense and simplicity. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs 119,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 25.4 billion in 2010, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

SOURCE Philips Respironics