Ansell launches antimicrobial surgical glove
Proprietary antimicrobial coating provides an additional level of protection
Ansell has launched what it claims is the world’s first antimicrobial surgical glove. The GAMMEX Powder-Free glove with AMT Antimicrobial Technology incorporates a proprietary antimicrobial coating to provide an additional level of protection to surgical staff against viruses and bacteria, in the event of a breach during surgery.
Ansell says its AMT Antimicrobial Technology is a world first and is now being launched in Australia. It will be progressively rolled out in all Ansell markets. The unique and proprietary inner coating contains skin friendly agents and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), an effective antimicrobial agent commonly found in products such as antiseptics and mouthwash.
The last decade has witnessed a rapid expansion of the medical gloves market globally, says Ansell. Major drivers for this growth are improving healthcare systems around the world and the increasing awareness by healthcare workers that gloves offer an effective protective barrier against contamination from bacteria and viruses. Ansell's new AMT Antimicrobial Technology reduces the risk to surgical staff of exposure to blood-borne pathogens through a higher level of protection.
Extensive in vitro laboratory testing showed that the antimicrobial coating killed >99% of Hepatitis C1 and 99% of HIV-1 (strain Mn) within 60 seconds of exposure through a simulated glove breach. The glove also kills between 99.7% and >99.999% of eight common healthcare infectious bacteria, comprising gram-positive, gram-negative, and drug-resistant bacteria (e.g. MRSA, VRE) within 60 seconds from exposure.
"Ansell's proprietary AMT Antimicrobial surgical glove technology is the result of intensive and collaborative research, and demonstrates the company's ability for industry leading innovation and new product development,” says Magnus Nicolin, ceo of Ansell. "It also underscores Ansell's commitment to continuously invest in seeking optimal solutions to better protect healthcare professionals in a world with an increasing number of high risk pathogens."
