Two companies are pooling their resources to develop a new generation of disinfection systems, including products for hand washing, wound irrigation and surface sterilisation
Tristel, a specialist in controlling healthcare-acquired infection, and Design Technology, a medical product design and development consultancy, are extending their existing working partnership in the continuing fight against MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) and related infections.
The two companies are pooling their resources to develop a new generation of disinfection systems, including automated products for hand washing, wound irrigation and surface sterilisation, that they say will be vital in stopping the spread of infection.
Tristel's core product is chlorine dioxide disinfectant, described as a rapid action, powerful and totally safe biocide which is routinely used by 60% of all UK acute hospitals for applications such as sterilising heat-sensitive instruments.
However the company believes that the battle against healthcare-acquired infection can only be won by tackling all four transmission routes more effectively: exposure to contaminated instruments, surfaces, water or person to person contact.
The new products in development are designed to address this.
They are expected to have a major role in stopping the spread of infection within hospitals while accelerating Tristel's support and market penetration into non-hospital sectors such GP practices, nursing homes, ambulance services and dental practices.
At the heart of the new range is a patented disinfectant generator which was developed by Design Technology and welcomed as a major advance for the sector at its launch in October 2004.
Previously disinfectant solutions had to be prepared in batches whereas users can now literally turn on a tap for a continuous stream of powerful biocide.
The generator is said to be quick and easy to install and use, and it can either provide a printed audit report to confirm that solutions are within specification or a data output via an RS232 interface for integration into an existing IT reporting network.
The system has been precision engineered allowing it to compensate instantly for even the slightest change in water flow rate.
"Tristel's disinfectant generator is a breakthrough for the sector and with disinfectant on tap we can now develop more effective products for hand washing, wound irrigation and surface sterilisation," said John Hawker, managing director of Design Technology.
"Our company is delighted to be joining forces with Tristel in developing these new systems for the healthcare market and to have our approach so strongly endorsed".
"Tristel is a young, rapidly expanding company and by joining forces with Design Technology we can create innovative new products and enter new markets in record time.
"The generator was our first collaborative product development and it was so successful that we have taken the strategic decision to appoint the consultancy as our long-term product development partner," said Paul Swinney, CEO of Tristel.
The first products from the new range are planned for market launch later this year (2005).
The cornerstone of the Tristel product range is a patented chlorine dioxide chemistry used to sterilise medical, dental and veterinary instruments.
In 1998, the business that became Tristel acquired all worldwide rights to this chemistry.
The principal operating subsidiary of the group was established at this time to exploit the opportunities in the UK market and Tristel says it has become the leading supplier of liquid chemical sterilising solutions to UK hospitals.
The recently introduced Tristel Wipe is the world's first rapid action sporicidal wipe.
It incorporates Tristel's patented chlorine dioxide chemistry and can kill all organisms on a pre-cleaned surface, from which soil and organic matter have been removed, with a contact time of only 30 seconds.
The Tristel Generator and Tristel Duo are the latest addition to the company's range of products and services.
Design Technology International is a product design and development consultancy that specialises in creating breakthrough products for markets including medical and healthcare, home automation and e-commerce.
The company offers a complete service from generating initial product concepts and securing patent protection through to volume manufacturing in both the UK and Asia.
Where required, Design Technology can also help source UK and European funding for new product development.
The company says partnership is one of its core strengths, making it the ideal consultancy for SMEs looking to develop highly differentiated products for existing or new markets.
The company was founded in 1984, is a regular winner of international design awards and is based in Suffolk.
Current clients include Ascom, Baxter, BOC, Marconi, Portex and Tristel.
