Impeding the growth of micro-organisms on the surface of laboratory and medical products reduces the chance of cross-contamination during normal handling. BioCote Ltd has developed a silver based powder that is used to do exactly that. The silver technology can be incorporated into a variety of materials at the manufacturing stage. BioCote gave Priorclave permission to produce autoclaves using this technology in an exclusive agreement. This biocidal surface coating is now standard for all their autoclave products. Protection lasts throughout the lifetime of the equipment.

This safeguard is an enhancement for sterilization and not a substitute for good hygienic procedures. Still, a recent study conducted by the Heart of England Foundation Trust at the Heartland Hospital showed that use of biocidal coated products reduced bacteria in the working environment by 95.8 percent. Further, unprotected equipment used in the same environment as the protected materials had a reduction of surface microbes of about 43.5 percent! After this dramatic positive result, Prioclave and BioCote have extended and renewed their longstanding partnership for an additional 3 years.

This ground-breaking innovation has proven highly effective at limiting the proliferation of many micro-organism including MRSA, E. Coli, Legionella, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, Staph. aureus, and Aspergillus niger. This broad spectrum biocide is also highly effective at inhibiting the spread and growth of a wide variety of other bacteria, mold, and fungi over a 24 hour period.

Silver has long been used in medicine in various forms as a germicidal agent. Other heavy metals such as mercury and lead were identified as germicidal agents too (killing everything from bacteria, to viruses, to fungi, to people) so their toxicity precluded their standard use in medicine. In contrast, silver compounds were preferred before the development of modern antibiotics because of its relative non toxicity. The actual use of silver compounds for treatment in medicine continues to be studied.

The major advancement with this particular silver technology is the development of stable alloy like properties on the surface of the material so that the germicidal effects will basically last as long as the product does. To find out more about this silver bullet against microbial ‘werewolves’, click on the link to PharmaceuticalTechnology.

Who Are These Partners?

BioCote Ltd (located in Wolverhampton Science Park in the UK) creates global partnerships with many manufacturing companies in various industries that include healthcare, laboratory, leisure, food and catering, and the public sector. Their silver coating can increase safety in a wide variety of environments where cleanliness and hygiene are a priority. Such places include washrooms, kitchens, offices, gymnasiums, schools, etc. They have specific support packages and programs to help their partners incorporate antimicrobial technology into their products.

Priorclave was founded in 1988 by a group of people who specialized in the laboratory industry. This company from the UK operates out of South East London and has a manufacturing facility of over 2500 square meters. It primarily makes laboratory autoclaves for the food, drink, dairy, health and pharmaceutical, electronic, packaging, and plastics industries.

All Priorclave products are made with safety and quality in mind. They meet all relevant EU and UKAS standards. Production is done under a BS EN ISO9001 Quality System.

A flash drive or CD wouldn’t fare well in the intense environment inside an autoclave, but the new DataKey SlimLine memory tokens available from Nexus are able to cope more than adequately. These miniature data storage units have been tested in both ethylene oxide and autoclave sterilizers for multiple cycles. So far the manufacturer has not discovered the failure point for these hardy devices. DataKey has streamlined the manufacturing process by choosing the right materials to create a low cost product that can be used again and again. You also have several vibrant colors to choose from!

Hospitals are finding these tokens to be a versatile and user friendly replacement for information previously stored in bar code form. The units incorporate firmware (executable software programs coupled with circuitry) that is rewritable and can allow two way communication with matching receptacles. Medical staff can use these carefully controlled devices to review patient records securely without having to access a computer using a login and passwords. Data uploading and transfer are also possible with these tiny key cards and they have many applications in both medical and pharmaceutical R&D settings.

In situations where errors can be fatal (such as heart catheter calibration), the SlimLine tokens offer a way to program medical devices without the risk introduced by human intervention. Fail safes are also put in place to allow the user to check before each use whether or not data on the token has been corrupted. Of course, the data keys can be popped back in the autoclave between jobs to keep them as germ free as the rest of the equipment used for these life saving procedures.

Tokens can also be programmed to monitor equipment use so replacement of components such as DNA testing cartridges can be carried out precisely on schedule. Off the shelf software is available for some jobs, and your Nexus dealer can work with you to customize programs to meet your lab or medical center’s specific needs. Click over to Applegate.co.uk to get contact information for this exclusive distributor of DataKey components in the United Kingdom.

Nexus GB Hits The Road

The Embedded Systems Show in Birmingham will be featuring products of interest to embedded software developers, systems engineers, and end users alike. Nexus will staff booth number 222 in Hall 8 at the exhibit on October 1st and 2nd. They will be showing off many of the DataKey Electronics products they distribute including the autoclave resistant memory tokens and the receptacle styles they connect with. The new splash and immersion safe data cards will also be making an appearance.

Speaking of travel – the DataKey tokens and devices are ultraportable making them ideal for applications that require a patient to use them at home. The units are easy to operate and can increase compliance with treatment protocols by ensuring that the patient receives accurate and timely information. The rugged design and inexpensive replacement cost of these devices make this even more feasible for end users on a tight budget.

Sometimes you just don’t need all the bells and whistles that come standard on today’s high end autoclaves. If your lab runs one or two cycle types over and over again it makes sense to dispense with costly and complex equipment so you can get down to basics. OPAL PriorClave sterilizers get the job done efficiently and effectively without burning a hole in your wallet. So, why buy a Mercedes when all you need is a Ford?

Don’t get me wrong – these OPAL units are still CE marked and comply with all relevant directives including the European Pressure Equipment directive (97/23/EC). You don’t have to sacrifice quality and reliability to save money with these machines. PriorClave has taken their already existing models and trimmed them down to remove any systems and functions that are not absolutely necessary for your most basic decontamination requirements.

Size choices range from 35 liters to 125 liters for these bench top and top loading models. All equipment offers a thermal safety lock, free steaming, and a microprocessor based TACTROL control system. These simple, slimmed down autoclaves are ideal for sterilizing your laboratory waste and preparing growth media. The pharmaceutical industry is the primary market for these high value – low cost machines. Discover more about this product line at Pharmaceutical-Technology.com

PriorClave Understands How To Get Things Done Right

This company has been in the autoclave and steam sterilizer business for over two decades and is currently based in London at a 2500 square meter manufacturing facility. PriorClave directs a substantial portion of its profits into continual improvement of their research and manufacturing processes. One of their goals is to bring more of their component creation in-house. Having fewer outside sources involved gives the corporation the ability to reach even higher levels of quality control over every item that goes into their machines.

They currently operate under BS EN ISO9001 requirements with additional oversight of processes and designs provided by Zurich Insurance. PriorClave also makes good use of computer controlled (CNC) equipment to reduce the risk of human error in many of its manufacturing stages.

Safety locks are, of course, standard on all models. These prevent a unit from being opened before the glassware inside is properly cooled (sudden changes in temperature can cause glass to explode). As the icing on the cake, each machine features anti-microbial BioCote on its surfaces to offer continuing decontamination even when the machine is not in use.

The company has upcoming trade show appearances for the remainder of the year. They are eager to show up in support of their many distributors in Europe and Asia. In 2009 they will be in Dubai for the Arab Lab exhibit as well. If you are in the area you can get a close up look at their products yourself:

2008 Nov. 11-13, Herning, Denmark – FoodTech (PriorClave distributor VWR-Bie & Berntsen)

2008 Nov. 19-22 Messe, Duseldorf, Germany - Medica (Hall 1, Stand 1 E04)

2008 Dec. 3-6 Jakarta, Indonesia – CIL (PriorClave distributor ITS Science & Medical PVT. LTD

European Sterilization & Technical Services or ESTS (GB) Ltd can provide timely and prompt service for most any sterilization equipment still in use today. They manufacture a wide variety of large multi-cycle laboratory autoclaves and sterilizers between 300 liters to 6000 liters capacity. If a walk in sized autoclave is your need, then ESTS (GB) Ltd can provide it. If there is a specific sterilization problem, then they can usually solve it. Such versatility attracts the attention and business from a large number of prestigious UK based organizations.

Their professional service for these devices goes far beyond the products for which ESTS actually manufactures. They are a complete manufacturing and service provider that can meet the decontamination equipment needs of most any laboratory. Even if they do not manufacture it, they can usually still service it. They can upgrade existing equipment so that complete replacement of existing autoclaves maybe unnecessary. Their long list of proprietary spare parts enables them to provide service to machines that are outdated or when the original manufacturer no longer provides support. This creates more viable options when considering the best solutions for unique sterilization needs.

All equipment provided is compliant to all applicable internationally recognized norms and European regulations. Their high quality assurance and compliance to criterion are independently verified and CE marked. Although their standard sized autoclave is 600 liters capacity, they can custom design and manufacture 300 to 600 liter machines that meet the requirements of high security containment levels 3 and 4 (CL3 and CL4).

Up To Date Technology

Their modular PLC based control system and full color touch-screens can be easily retrofitted to existing equipment. This gives the client flexibility when configuring systems during autoclave refurbishment. The user friendly interfaces allow the operator to select, start, and monitor multiple cycles.

The relevant information on temperature and pressure can be viewed in real time and/or stored for archival purposes. Each cycle can be monitored and recorded independently. Run time diagnostics provide an alarm log and historical record for any potential fault and can be done remotely through an optional but dedicated modem link. This time and date stamped data can be useful for performance management.

Fully automatic water and energy conservation systems are important aspects to ESTS designs. Normal features include vacuum assisted air removal systems and exhaust filtration. Load transfer systems and stainless steel laboratory discard containers are optional.

Clients have come from a variety of industry sectors:

- Hospitals/ Healthcare
- Medical Research
- Pharmaceuticals
- Biotechnology
- Dental
- Veterinary
- University and Research/ Education
- Food and Beverage

The chamber is usually the most expensive part of an autoclave. The typical lifespan of the apparatus as a whole is approximately 10 to 15 years under normal operating conditions. The control systems are generally the limiting factor in durability. If the chamber is still in good shape after the normal lifespan, then enormous savings can be obtained by simply upgrading those outdated control systems. This can allow the client to stay within budget while maintaining operable equipment.

ESTS specializes in options that can meet all of these potential customer needs, including financial considerations. For more details and additional links, please click on FindTheNeedle.

Flame Sterilization is typically used to prevent cross-contamination from commonly used tools in the laboratory. Inoculation loops and needles are especially susceptible to harboring microbes left over from previous experiments or procedures. Microbiologists, other laboratory scientists, and technicians normally heat these instruments to red hot temperatures both before and after each use.

Such an open flame could be a safety concern during high volume use, within high traffic areas, or where gas use would be dangerous. Other methods to produce the same red hot sterilization temperature might be more practical. An electrical alternative to flame sterilization does not use gas or open flame to achieve the desired 900 degrees Celsius (1650 degrees Fahrenheit) for optimal sterilization within 5 to 7 seconds. The SteriMax electrical sterilization system perfectly achieves these results in areas where gas or open flames are not permitted or available.

Once turned on, the SteriMax reaches its 1650 degree Fahrenheit operating temperature within just a few minutes. It is designed with safety in mind. After prolonged usage, a warning indicator notifies the user that residual heat has heated the exterior of the sterilization tube to dangerous levels that can burn any exposed skin. This is a passive safety device to merely warn the user of the very hot surface and that care needs to be practiced.

The 100% stainless steel housing is resistant to the most extreme laboratory conditions. The low and stable ergonomic design is optimal for repetitive operations. The interior tube into which items are placed for sterilization is made of wear-resistant quartz glass that can withstand the abuse of extended service at normal working temperatures.

This robust device can be locked in place for stability. The temperature and shock resistant design means reliability. Safety features include a built in spray protector for handling pathogenic contaminated items. Any residue left on the quartz tube can easily be cleaned.

About The Manufacturer

WLD-TEC GmbH was founded in 1992 by Andrea and Bernd Wartewig in Germany. Currently it only has 9 employees. They take pride in their role in expanding educational opportunities. Its co-partnershiped with the Technical College of Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen and actively promotes the training of future engineers.

This relatively small innovative company is growing fast in an international market. Their current specialty is in the design and manufacture of safety gas burners for the microbiological, gene, and bioengineering markets. They currently have strong partners in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Manufacturing facilities for medical technology and laboratory customers include a 300 square meter production area that is state of the art. The CAD workplace transfers the design to CNC lathes, punch presses, and cutting machines through high tech 3D laser processing centers. Special hydro-mechanical form presses enable the production of products using high-strength stainless steel. In short, the company is dedicated to making high precision and high quality laboratory devices.

On July 2nd through the 4th 2008 in Tokyo, WLD-TEC GmbH was involved with the 7th International Bio Forum & Bio Expo Japan. They are scheduled to attend Achema 2009 to be held in Frankfurt Germany on 11th through the 15th of May. For more information and links about the SteriMax, click on ThomasNet.

The new Logiclave porous load sterilizers are a perfect fit for health care systems in the United Kingdom and around the world. They are specifically designed to meet the relevant requirements for autoclaves including such regulations as HTM2010 and BS3970. Since an independent third party verifies that appropriate manufacturing processes are used and each machine is CE marked, you can rest assured that your autoclave has been fully vetted before leaving the factory.

Each unit comes standard with the ability to store data internally so it is easy to provide ongoing proof that your machine is performing within the appropriate parameters. You can print your records out or view them digitally using the existing software. An additional feature lets you transfer data to the computer of your choice to store results as long as you like.

Equipment which is designed to sterilize porous loads must have the ability to create a strong vacuum to remove air from such materials as linen before the cycle begins. The Logiclave is up to the task; it features stainless steel valves and pipe work that can withstand the heat and pressure required for effective decontamination. The interior and exterior of the machine are made of this same durable and corrosion resistant metal making it an attractive addition to any laboratory or hospital environment. Single and double door models are available in a range of sizes and customized larger equipment can be built upon request.

ESTS (the British manufacturer of these autoclaves) is especially proud of its partnership with B&R in developing the high quality, multi-function control panel. The graphics are easy to read and the processing portion of the controller is able to interface with many different platforms. The unit can be programmed for a variety of standard and custom user jobs to meet the needs of your industry. In a nod to sustainability, these controllers can even be retrofitted to upgrade existing autoclaves and extend their useful lifespan. The company is also offering fully refurbished sterilizers for sale which provide a significant cost savings to their customers.

Ongoing Maintenance Is A Snap

You can ensure that your Logiclave is continuing to destroy fungi, bacteria and other contaminants by taking advantage of ESTS’ scheduled maintenance program. Highly trained technicians can not only keep your machine in good condition for 10-15 years – they are also on call 24/7 for priority customers who may require emergency service during non-business hours. Talk to a sales representative to find out what service plan will best meet your corporation’s needs.

As your autoclave ages, it will need replacement parts. ESTS is committed to keeping a comprehensive inventory on hand including door seals, valves, and other crucial components. They supply spares for many different manufacturer models – not just those in their own extensive product line. Here is yet another indication that this company is serious about increasing sustainability rather than promoting planned obsolescence. You can look forward to keeping your autoclave running at maximum efficiency for as long as possible with the help that ESTS provides. You will find even more information on this corporation’s product line by visiting findtheneedle.co.uk.

When the Prince Edward Community Care for Seniors program needs help they can count on local support from a friendly neighborhood dentist. Dr. Layne Butler has stepped up to the plate and offered autoclave sterilization of pedicure instruments to the center so that they can continue to provide vital and affordable services to seniors in their community.

This not only gives the senior care program a way to meet the new Ministry of Health standards for sterilization – it also makes the planet a little greener. Resource sharing is a wonderful way to reduce overall consumption.

Dr. Butler’s office already has an autoclave in place so running the machine for these extra batches of foot care equipment is an easy task. The stainless steel nail files, clippers, probes, and scissors are cleaned with a chemical agent before being loaded into validation pouches and popped in the autoclave. The pouches change color during processing to indicate that they are sterile and ready for redistribution at the next foot care clinic.

This pedicure equipment was originally being shipped out to another company for paid sterilization and this was taking a bite out of the center’s meager budget. P.E. Community Care had considered purchasing their own autoclave but even a tiny desktop unit costing $1000 is expensive for a non-profit agency. When you add in the funds needed to retrofit the surrounding office space for a more adequately sized machine the price gets even steeper. Training, ongoing maintenance, inspection, and calibration aren’t cheap either.

Executive Director Debbie MacDonald Moynes and her coworkers gave the generous dentist a gift basket filled with chocolates, coffee and tea as a gesture of appreciation. That sounds absolutely delicious (and I know the staff at Dr. Butler’s office will remember to brush their teeth afterward). Be sure to visit the Prince Edward Community Care website for photos.

Well Kept Feet Mean Quality Of Life For Seniors

When young people hear the word pedicure they think of luxury spas and expensive treatments to pamper the rich. Older citizens know that keeping their feet in good condition is a very necessary step toward remaining independent as long as possible. For elderly individuals who no longer have the flexibility and fine motor control to manage their own foot care, having access to the affordable services provided by community programs is essential.

Most of P.E. Community Care’s clients access this service every 6 weeks or so. Age toughened toe nails are clipped and filed and nail beds maintained by well trained staff using sterile equipment (thanks again, Dr. Butler!). Diabetic clients can rest assured that caution will be used not to tear or damage the skin on their feet since such wounds don’t easily heal.

Above and beyond the hygiene aspect of foot care, there is a psychological benefit for seniors who may not have close family nearby to provide human contact. Gentle and caring touch is therapeutic for anyone living alone. We applaud this Canadian community center and the dental office staff for working together to keep this valuable practice available to those in need.