The Federal Aviation Administration has approved Invacare Corp.’s XPO2 portable oxygen concentrator for use on board passenger aircraft.

Now that the XPO2,, which first debuted in May 2008, has been approved by the FAA, Invacare says it will approach individual airlines for their approvals regarding in-flight use of oxygen systems.  Southwest Airlines has already approved the system.

“Now that the XPO2 has FAA approval, we will meet an even greater variety of patient needs,” said Joseph Lewarski, vice president, Invacare respiratory division.

In terms of traveling capabilities, the XPO2 weighs six pounds, and incorporates Sensi-Pulse technology, a five-setting pulse dose oxygen delivery system that keeps oxygen patients saturated during all activities of daily living. The POC operates from battery, AC or DC power. The two-and-a-half hour battery duration (at setting 2) can be doubled to five hours through the use of an optional one-and-a-half pound supplemental battery that attaches to the carrying case.

Other features include quiet, simple operation, and a contemporary, non-medical look.