Self Sterilizing Surfaces
Self Sterilizing Surfaces" introduces a novel technology and approach to decolonizing surface materials of pathogens involved in Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI’s).
(PRWEB) September 17, 2013
Ondine is pleased to announce that Sacha Noimark, Elaine Allan and Ivan Parkin were presented with the ‘Best Poster’ recognition at the EuCheMS Inorganic Chemistry Conference 2, Jerusalem 2013. The University College London group’s abstract entitled "Self Sterilizing Surfaces" introduces a novel technology and approach to decolonizing surface materials of pathogens involved in Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI’s). HAI’s present an enormous financial burden to the global healthcare system and are a significant source of patient morbidity and mortality.
The abstract describes the successful outcomes from the application of Photodisinfection (also known as antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy) to decolonization of pathogens on material surfaces, such as those found in catheters, mobile phone or tablet covers, keyboards, paints etc. The work involved collaboration between the Materials Chemistry Research Centre, Department of Chemistry and the Division of Microbial Diseases both at the University College London (UCL), England and Ondine Biomedical Inc., Vancouver, B.C.
The development of resistance is causing antibiotics to become increasingly ineffective, pointing to the need for new infection-prevention strategies. The team at University College London developed the novel technology by embedding two photosensitizers into silicone urinary catheters, along with nanogold particles to enhance the photobactericidal effect. Bacteria that colonize the skin, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, are often responsible for chronic infections of catheters that pass through or are in contact with the skin surface. The UCL team demonstrated that these bacteria were completely eliminated from the surface of the catheters – a reduction of over 1 million fold. This exciting development, achieved with only low levels of light, points the way to simple and inexpensive self-sterilizing catheters and potentially other surfaces commonly found in healthcare settings.
Photodisinfection was invented by Professor Michael Wilson at the Eastman Dental Institute, University College London in the 1980’s. UCL is the research partner of Ondine Biomedical Inc., the global leader in developing Photodisinfection (aPDT) based technologies and applications. Ondine is focused on Health Care Associated Infection (HAI) prevention products as well as therapies such as the MRSAid Photodisinfection System. For more information about Ondine, please visit http://www.ondinebio.com
