Ultrasound Transducer Disinfection in many Cases insufficient

DJ Ultrasound Transducer Disinfection in many Cases insufficient

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Current methods of ultrasound transducer disinfection are in many cases not 
sufficient for clinical practice. This is the latest alarming result issued by 
the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading US public 
health agency, in its recently published Guideline for Disinfection and 
Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities. (1) The guideline is the CDC´s response 
to the rapidly evolving epidemiology of hospital-acquired infections such as 
Clostridium difficile (2) or MRSA (3). 
 
In light of this global threat, and with regard to the millions of ultrasound 
examinations conducted each day, Nanosonics´ newest product innovation 
represents a long-needed milestone in the development of medical devices: due to 
its unique technology, the Trophon EPR completely satisfies all requirements of 
the new CDC guideline. 
 
Whereas current methods for high-level disinfection of contaminated transvaginal 
and transrectal transducers (e.g. aldehydes, alcohol or chlorine) show 
considerable drawbacks, the Trophon EPR has been custom designed to disinfect 
intracavity and surface ultrasound transducers, while combining speed, safety 
and convenience. It delivers high-level disinfection plus (HLD+), including 
sporicidal efficacy, in only six minutes operating time. The fully automated 
device can be used directly at the point of care, is easy to operate and is 
environmentally friendly, leaving water and oxygen as the only by-products. 
 
The Trophon EPR was officially presented at this year´s MEDICA, which took place 
in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 19 to 22 November, 2008. "We recognised the danger 
presented by the inadequate disinfection of ultrasound transducers, and know 
that the Trophon EPR will be indispensable for the urgently needed hygiene 
necessary in the medical sector, to guarantee the safety of each and every 
patient", explained David Radford, Director and CEO of Nanosonics Limited, 
Australia, prior to the impending market launch. 
 
The product technology has been validated by major OEM´s (e.g. Philips) and 
dealer commitments have already been approved in several European countries. The 
European launch of the Trophon EPR is scheduled to start in the first half of 
2009. For more information about Nanosonics, the Trophon EPR and its platform 
technology (NanoNebulanttm) please visit the Company´s websites at 
www.nanosonics.eu and www.trophon.com.au. 
 
 
About Nanosonics 
 
The company is of Australian origin, located in Alexandria, Sydney, with 
European headquarters in Hamburg, Germany. Nanosonics has been listed on the 
Australian Securities Exchange (NAN) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (OQM) since 
2007. 
 
The company owns intellectual property relating to unique disinfection and 
sterilisation technologies, which can be suited to a variety of markets 
including the healthcare industry, food processing, room and space 
decontamination, and manufacturing. 
 
Nanosonics is currently focused on developing infection control solutions for 
the global healthcare market. Initial applications are designed for the 
reprocessing of reusable medical instruments. The Trophon EPR is specifically 
designed to disinfect intracavity and surface ultrasound probes. Based on the 
NanoNebulanttm technology it surpasses the limitations of current methods by 
killing the most resilient micro-organisms, in a fast, safe and convenient way. 
 
 
(1) Rutala WA, Weber DJ, Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory 
Committee. Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare 
Facilities, 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/sterile.html. 
 
(2) Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). 
Press release, Orlando, 11 November 2008: Intestinal infection afflicts 13 of 
1,000 hospital patients; infection rates 6.5-20 times greater than previous 
estimates, new study says. 
 
(3) Orsi GB. MRSA: an old and new enemy. Healthcare Infection 2008; 13:73-75. 
 
 
World Headquarters 
Nanosonics Ltd. 
Unit 24, 566 Gardeners Road 
Alexandria NSW 2015 
Australia 
http://www.nanosonics.com.au 
 
European Headquarters 
Nanosonics Europe GmbH 
Falkenried 88, House E 
20251 Hamburg 
Germany 
http://www.nanosonics.eu 
 
 
end of announcement                               euro adhoc 
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 05, 2008 04:00 ET (09:00 GMT)