Germgard's surgical instrument steriliser achieves total cycle time of three minutes
Germgard Lighting, a New Jersey based medical technology company, claims to have made a breakthrough with its desktop surgical instrument sterilisation system. The company says an independent testing laboratory is consistently achieving 100% kill of Geobacillus stearothermophilus, the standard spore used for testing surgical instrument sterilisers. The tests employ a single, three-minute cycle, including preparation. The inactivation remains at 100% after 7 days of controlled observation, hence it is fully compatible with a single cycle.
Germgard continues to optimise its gas-based, room temperature process and expects a double cycle of six minutes total time for lumen devices such as endoscopes and for Prion inactivation on neurological tools.
The total cycle time for the process is said to be much shorter than for hot steam sterilisation or any other room temperature, gas sterilant process.
The company says the proprietary gas medium it uses for sterilisation is unlike any in current use. It is safe, easy-to-use and short-lived, disappearing before the exposure pouch is opened.
The system can be fully automated, requiring no high-temperature presoak, no instrument pre-wrapping by technicians, no cool-down period and no time lost for drying or special handling. It is expected to be suitable for all surgical instruments.
Dr Eugene Gordon, ceo of Germgard says the system will have a positive impact on pharmaceutical r&d and laboratory practice.
‘It is so radical that it constitutes an unprecedented breakthrough in the technology,’ he added.
Contact T +1 973 607 1542 {encode="pgordon@germgardlighting.com" title="pgordon@germgardlighting.com"} www.germgardlighting.com