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Surface protection in stringent hygiene applications
Hoffmann und Krippner's new membrane keypad with antimicrobial properties was developed for hygiene-critical applications in medical and laboratory environments
Hygiene requirements in the medical, food, cleanroom and pharmaceutical industries are extremely high. All surfaces and items which staff touch must be sterile. Surfaces of frequently used membrane keypads are potential breeding grounds for germs, bacteria and other microorganisms. However, this risk can be minimised by using antibacterial coatings.
Hoffmann und Krippner, Buchen, Germany, now offers a new membrane keypad with antimicrobial properties that was specially developed for hygiene-critical surface applications in medical and laboratory environments.
The most important component of this new system is Autotex AM hard-coated polyester film developed by MacDermid Autotype. The film offers integrated and durable antimicrobial protection against bacterial contamination and inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria, mould fungi and mildew. The new material is primarily employed for protecting keyboard surfaces for use in hygiene critical environments, such as A&E wards and medical laboratories.
The new film combines the proven advantages of a hard, resistant surface with antimicrobial protection. This is especially important at man-machine interfaces, such as keyboards and data entry systems. The material is also resistant to scratching and chemicals, enabling it to withstand everyday wear and tear as well as aggressive cleaning agents and methods.
MacDermid Autotype builds the antimicrobial protection into the textured hard coating of the Autotex AM film during the manufacturing process. This ensures the antimicrobial agent is evenly distributed over the entire film surface, providing effective protection throughout the entire service life of the product. The new film has been proved to inhibit the growth of a number of bacteria, mould fungi and other germs such as MRSA, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes.
The antibacterial effect is produced when the agent penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms that enter into contact with the substrate surface. It interrupts the cell functions of these organisms and prevents their growth or reproduction.
Using the antimicrobial polyester film does not mean there is no further need for observing the usual cleanliness and hygiene requirements, the Hoffmann und Krippner company explains, but it does offer an extremely high level of security and a constant level of protection against bacterial contamination.
The new material is primarily employed for protecting surfaces of medical equipment keyboards or those used in laboratories.
http://www.macdermidautotype.com/
