Noble Biomaterials develops, manufactures and markets advanced antimicrobial technologies designed to manage all forms of bacterial contamination. Headquartered in Scranton, Penn., with additional offices in Europe, Asia and South America, the company has more than 200 global licensees for products in the medical, defense, industrial and consumer markets. Technologies from Noble Biomaterials are emerging as a premier solution in the diverse range of markets represented at techtexil 2015, Frankfurt.
In healthcare, Noble’s X-STATIC antimicrobial technology is permanently woven into finished products and serves to reduce bacteria on many of the soft surface fabrics surrounding patients and staff. Uniforms, cubicle curtains, patient apparel and bed linens cover 90% of the patient environment in a healthcare setting. Cross contamination from hand to surface is proven, meaning these products are constantly exposed to bacteria between launderings. Products powered by X-STATIC are clinically-proven, safe, and effective in providing permanent antimicrobial protection and odor management. It also ensures optimal comfort due to its natural temperature regulating properties, allowing people to have the confidence that they both feel and look great.
Multiple clinical studies in the U.S. have shown that by reducing bacteria on the textile surface, the risk of cross- contamination is considerably reduced. A clinical study on nurses’ uniforms with Toray See it Safe fabrics powered by X-STATIC proved that “the total germination number on the anti-bacterial See it Safe with X-STATIC textiles was reduced by 72.2%. The total number of all nosocomial infection pathogens was reduced by an average of 93.6% within one hour,” said Dr. Klaus-Dieter Zastrow, Physician in environmental medicine.
“Despite today’s extensive efforts to prevent the spread of bacteria, Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs) continue to be one of the world’s most pressing and expensive healthcare battles. We play our part in winning that battle by bringing a permanent antimicrobial solution to healthcare fabrics with our X-STATIC technology,” said Steve Milner, VP of the Healthcare Division, Noble Biomaterials
Noble has several healthcare fabric partners in the European market, including a strategic partnership with Toray Textiles Europe and its collection of woven infection prevention textiles, “See it Safe” powered by X-STATIC.
“Assisted by our longstanding relationship with Noble Biomaterials, sales revenue generated from this collection has grown year over year, every year, around the globe,” said a representative from Toray Textiles Europe.
In addition to current product on the market, Noble has recently developed new polyester/cotton offerings in partnership with German manufacturer Lauffenmühle based in Lauchringen. Lauffenmühle is producing applications in healthcare, medical and work wear.
Statistics show approximately 15,000 people die in Germany due to healthcare acquired infections annually. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), one in 18 patients in European hospitals has an HAI. This amounts to 3.2 mil patients and a total cost of 7 bil EUR spent on HAIs each year. These are the facts, and they are staggering. We need to ensure we are addressing all the potential gaps in current infection protocols and identifying solutions that can strengthen standard practice across the globe. We need to consider the role these fabrics play in spreading infection, since they are touching patients and staff around the clock,” said Karin Mueller, VP of Marketing, Noble Biomaterials.
Current standards for preventing HAIs focus on patient screening, isolation precautions, hand washing and hard surface disinfection. However, soft surfaces may be the missing link in breaking the chain of infection and supporting targeting zero HAIs. X-STATIC can inhibit the growth of multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria on the surface of scrubs, privacy curtains, patient apparel and bedding. This advanced technology is also available in the US today in several brands of healthcare apparel and fabrics including Arc-Com Privacy Curtains powered by X-STATIC and NMI Health, SilverCare Plus Antimicrobial Scrubs powered by X-STATIC.
Noble Biomaterials
www.noblebiomaterials.com