Cleaning-coating technology reduces bacterial by-products on liners
INTRODUCTION
There are about two million amputees in the U.S. Approximately 1.7 million of these individuals use a prosthetic device. A common problem for amputees is irritation, odor and infections related to prosthetic liners. There are currently few options for the wearer beyond regular cleaning with soap and water and use of alcohol wipes. Compliance with good hygiene can also be an issue for some patients. This paper deals with a liner coating applicator and technology designed to deep clean and coat silicone and gel-based products to improve comfort, decontaminate and reduce odors related to the skin and liner interface. The BI Medical (Coventry, Rhode Island) cleaning system has the unique ability to deliver a coating in liquid solvents, to ensure even coverage, adherence, and deep penetrance in prosthetic liner materials. The residual film consists of Titanium oxide, silicone and a metal-organic silver compound determined to be biocompatible with no cytotoxicity according to ISO 10993 testing (Jarrell, 2013). Prior testing used in the development of the technology showed antimicrobial activity of the residual film (Tran, 2015). For this study the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) Z 2801, “Antibacterial Products – Test for Antibacterial Activity and Efficacy,” was used to identify the efficacy of this coating technology against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative) for two weeks after application of the cleaner/coating.
There are about two million amputees in the U.S. Approximately 1.7 million of these individuals use a prosthetic device. A common problem for amputees is irritation, odor and infections related to prosthetic liners. There are currently few options for the wearer beyond regular cleaning with soap and water and use of alcohol wipes. Compliance with good hygiene can also be an issue for some patients. This paper deals with a liner coating applicator and technology designed to deep clean and coat silicone and gel-based products to improve comfort, decontaminate and reduce odors related to the skin and liner interface. The BI Medical (Coventry, Rhode Island) cleaning system has the unique ability to deliver a coating in liquid solvents, to ensure even coverage, adherence, and deep penetrance in prosthetic liner materials. The residual film consists of Titanium oxide, silicone and a metal-organic silver compound determined to be biocompatible with no cytotoxicity according to ISO 10993 testing (Jarrell, 2013). Prior testing used in the development of the technology showed antimicrobial activity of the residual film (Tran, 2015). For this study the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) Z 2801, “Antibacterial Products – Test for Antibacterial Activity and Efficacy,” was used to identify the efficacy of this coating technology against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative) for two weeks after application of the cleaner/coating.
