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| How
does the Aegis Antimicrobial technology work? The AEGIS Microbe Shield is a reactive saline quaternary ammonium compound. When applied as a liquid to a host filter material the active ingredient in the AEGIS Antimicrobial forms a colorless, odorless, positively charge polymer coating which chemically bonds, virtually irremovable, to the treated surface. You could think of it as a layer of electrically charged swords. When a microorganism come in contact with the treated surface, the sword punctures the cell membrane and the electrical charge shocks the cell. Since nothing is transferred to the now dead cell, the Antimicrobial doesn’t lose strength the sword is ready for the next cell to contact it. What are the differences between the AEGIS Microbe shield technology and other Antimicrobials on the market? Conventional Antimicrobial products penetrate livings cells and kill by way of poisoning the organism. This poisoning technology is applied to a host media where it slowly leaches out creating a "killing field or zone" around the surface into which targeted microorganisms pass. They are designed to act quickly and dissipate quickly in order to avoid adverse effects to humans and animals due to their toxic ingredients. The AEGIS Antimicrobial takes a totally unique approach. It provides an effective initial microbial kill when applied, like the conventional methods, but it also provides long-term control of growth on treated surfaces for the life of that surface. The surface itself is modified to make it anti-microbial active. Is the AEGIS Microbe Shield Toxic? No. Unlike all other conventional antimicrobials, AEGIS does not off gas, leach, diffuse, migrate, volatilize, or otherwise leave the surface to which it has been applied. The result is an extraordinary safety and efficacy profile unmatched by other products. The incorporation of AEGIS Antimicrobial, and its remarkable surface modifying characteristics, has produced a new generation of air filtration products that can provide effective control of airborne microbes while eliminating the filter surface as a potential site for bacteria growth. AEGIS History Commercialization of Dow Corning’s anti-microbial technology began in 1976 after receiving EPA registration under what are called "modern" standards of review. Years of research by Burlington Industries, outside laboratories and Dow Corning verified the safety and utility of direct human contact with this technology. American Hospital Supply Corporation (now part of Baxter International) was reviewing the use of antimicrobials on medical non-woven products. The stringent rules governing the use of any particulates or chemicals that could enter the body via a wound, etc. made this review protocol very severe. Every available antimicrobial, medical and industrial, was screened for basic toxicity, effectiveness against the types of microorganisms encountered in surgery and compatibility with the variety of physical, chemical, and biological contaminants found on fabrics and in wounds, but most importantly, the agents durability to leaching (the consequences of contamination into a wound area can be profound). This research eliminated all other antimicrobials except what is known today as the ÆGIS Antimicrobial. American Hospital Supply Corporation, outside university laboratories, private laboratories and Dow Corning contributed over thirty (30) studies verifying the safety and performance of this technology in medical use. FDA listings were obtained and ISO-BAC Medical Nonwovens were introduced to the market. After its release, Dow immediately started research and development programs, and after testing and reviewing all available antimicrobials, their technical assessment was unquestionable in its verification of the utility of the Dow Corning, now AEGIS® Antimicrobial over any other technology available. |
