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‘Plasma sterilization; an effective option for reusable medical instruments’

Rapid, safe, and effective sterilization is of utmost importance when it comes to protecting the public in general and hospital patients in particular. Today, public health institutions face unprecedented challenges due to the advent of heat sensitive reusable medical tools and due to the appearance of heat resistant micro-organisms such as prion, the protein which causes Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, more commonly known as “mad cow disease”. Conventional sterilization methods such as autoclaving and Ethylene Oxide (EtO) are inadequate in these cases. Non-equilibrium “cold” plasmas have recently been shown to be a very promising alternative, potentially capable of overcoming the above-mentioned challenges. In addition to not damaging the articles to be sterilized, cold plasmas proved to be very effective due to the synergistic effects of free radicals and UV photons, which interact with the cells of microorganisms on the atomic and molecular levels.

Sterilization is an act or process, physical or chemical, which destroys or eliminates all forms of life, especially microorganisms. Conventional sterilization techniques, such as those using autoclaves, ovens, and chemicals like ethylene oxide (EtO), rely on irreversible metabolic inactivation or on breakdown of vital structural components of the micro-organism. This does not present a problem in cases where material preservation is not an issue. However, in cases where it is imperative not to damage the materials to be sterilized, conventional methods are either not suitable at all or offer very impractical and/or tedious and time-consuming solutions. This situation led to a drive to develop new techniques as effective as established ones, but with added superior characteristics such as short processing times, non-toxicity and medium preservation. Amongst these new methods, non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasmas have been shown to present a great promise.

Plasma sterilization operates differently because of its specific active agents, which are ultraviolet (UV) photons and radicals. An advantage of the plasma method is the possibility, under appropriate conditions, of achieving such a process at relatively low temperatures (50°C), preserving the integrity of polymer-based instruments, which cannot be subjected to autoclaves and ovens. Furthermore, plasma sterilization is safe, both for the operator and the patient, in contrast to EtO.

Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization is a low-temperature, low-moisture sterilization process that is rapid enough to provide high throughput. Charged particles may play a very significant role in the rupture of the outer membrane of bacterial cells. They showed that the electrostatic force caused by charge accumulation on the outer surface of the cells membrane could overcome the tensile strength of the membrane and cause its rupture. There are no toxic residuals, therefore, no aeration is required. The primary byproducts of the process are water vapour and oxygen. As a consequence, the cycle time for processing can be relatively short. Several new improvements in hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization technology have reduced cycle time from 74 minutes to 55 minutes, allowing more instruments to be processed.

Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma is used worldwide for terminal sterilization of medical equipment. Sterilization occurs in a low-moisture environment at a temperature less than 50°C. It is suited for sterilizing heat and moisture-sensitive items, delicate instruments, and instruments with sharp edges. Recent technological advances have resulted in a hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization system that has improved robustness and a shorter cycle.

The STERRAD® 100S Sterilization System from Advanced Sterilization Products, represents the next generation of low-temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization. Independent studies have demonstrated an improved load tolerance and faster kill in diffusion-restricted areas as opposed to previous-generation hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizers. The system provides terminal sterilization in 55 minutes, shorter than the typical 14 hours required to produce sterile instruments using EO. The short cycle time also means that a single unit can sterilize, not merely disinfect, numerous loads per day.

Low temperature, atmospheric pressure plasmas have been shown to possess very effective germicidal characteristics. Their relatively simple and inexpensive designs, as well as their non-toxic nature, give them the potential to replace conventional sterilization methods in the near future. This is a most welcome technology in the healthcare arena where re-usable; heat sensitive medical tools are becoming more and more relevant.

Shraddha Parmar,
Biomedical Engineer,
MGM New Bombay Hospital,
E-Mail: shraddha_biomedical@rediffmail.com

STERRAD ®

The smart choice in sterilization

Features

Fast

• Unprecedented instrument turnaround time
• 55-minute cycle is up to 17 times faster than a single EtO cycle

Safe

• Proven safety record
• Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma is noncarcinogenic and leaves no toxic residue, so it’s safe for patients, staff, and the environment

Simple

• Easy to install and operate
• Requires no costly plumbing, water source, messy filters, heat boosters, or venting; just plug in and use

For details, contact your ASP representative at

Division of Ethicon, Inc. ASP help Desk :
Tel No.- 022- 56646464
Visit: www.sterrad.com

Dhansai Laboratory

PRADIP Pad a Solace for Diabetic Foot

After the advent of Sensitometer-VPT by “Dhansai Laboratory” the spectrum of Diabetic Sensory Polyneuropathy became evident. The people with high risk of ulceration remained vulnerable. As the motor neuropathy alters the shape of the foot, plantar surface develops high-pressure areas. These pressures can be as high as 1500 kilo Pascal. This is nearly 15 times atmospheric pressure. These high pressures literally crush the tissue between the bone and the skin under it. The person with an insensate foot doesn’t realize it and in time develops an ulcer there.

But measurement of these high pressure points and then customizing the footwear by redistribution of pressure remained a big problem. The traditional Harris mat used for leprosy patients, was highly inadequate as it gives only qualitative information and has a limited range measurable. That is to say it cannot read above 250 to 300 hundred Kilo Pascal. And bellow 300 Kilo Pascal even barefoot walking won’t develop injury. The newer variants lacks even in qualitative information due to poor resolution. And the high-end foot scanners are not economically viable in smaller cities and district levels. The “PRADIP Pad” invented by D K Kelkar, chief scientist from “DHANSAI Laboratory” provided the solution. It has the high resolution of 645 points per square inch, which is the highest world over. It gives both qualitative and quantitative information. As it is devised essentially for persons with diabetes, a unique system of disbursement of customized footwear is developed around it. This economical pad can be used even at village level and the foot impressions are sent to company’s Mumbai hub via E-Mail or Post. The impression can be taken by a technician and will be analyzed by an expert, so it does not burden the physician. The experts at the hub process and analyze the same and send back a report by the same route. Thec clinician can show the same to the person concerned and order customized footwear.

For details contact:

Dhansai Laboratory
3B, Uttung, Samant Wadi, off Sonawala Road,
Goregaon (East), Mumbai 400 063
Ph: 022 2686371, Mo 09819526756
E-Mail: dhansai@vsnl.com

Trivitron Critical Care

Trivitron promotes Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) in India; a new concept in Artificial Respiration

The USD 25 Million Corporate M/s Trivitron brings a new concept in Artificial Respiration to India. This new technique has been conceptualized and developed by their Principals M/s Hamilton Medical AG, Switzerland. After a successful launch and acceptance worldwide, this concept is being actively promoted by M/s Trivitron in India. The current method of ventilation is by using endotracheal tube or an invasive conduit. It has been observed that this method though clinically acceptable has a physcological bearing on the patient. In the current scenario in ventilation the patient remains intubated during the entire period of his ventilatory support causing some physical and mental discomfort.

Non Invasive Ventilation is Positive Pressure Ventilation that utilizes the oronasal mask for ventilation rather than an invasive conduit like Endo-tracheal tube or tracheotomy tube. This new concept makes the patient feel away from the ventilator during the weaning period. Moreover the intubation period can be planned and reduced considerably by delivering NIV during the final stages of weaning. NIV is delivered through Hamilton’s new reusable facemask. The facemasks are fully autoclavable reducing the risk of infection considerably. The facemask comes in three different sizes to suit all patient age groups and the composition of the mask avoids any allergies to the Patient. Hamilton Medical AG has incorporated this new concept in all its models namely Galileo and Raphael.

For details contact:

Trivitron, 15, IVth Street, Abhiramapuram, Chennai – 18,
Ph: 91-44-2498 5050 (6 Lines)
Fax: 91-44-2498 5757 / 2467 2782,
Email: ravisrinivasan@trivitron.in
Visit:www.trivitron.com