Pittsburgh-based Biosafe Inc., a producer of antimicrobial products, recently was awarded a
composition of matter patent by the U.S. Patent Office for its antimicrobial siloxane polymer.
Biosafe reports the polymer resists leaching and migration by bonding on a molecular level to the
treated surface of nonwovens, films, sheets, molded plastics, metals, wood and other substrates.
Once applied, the polymer provides protection against bacteria, mildew, mold and fungi; and, by
puncturing and rupturing the cell walls of the microbes it is targeting, can stop the microbes from
mutating and adapting to the antimicrobial environment. According to Biosafe, this behavior can
prevent the so-called “super bugs” that currently are causing cross-infection problems in hospitals
and clinics from developing.
The company reports its polymer is less expensive than silver ion-based antimicrobial
products because it can be applied at lower concentration levels. Biosafe’s antimicrobial is
suitable for apparel, sporting goods, building products, medical devices and portable electronics,
among other end-uses.
“The effectiveness of Biosafe antimicrobial can be gauged by its truly remarkable spectrum of
activity and diversity of applications,” said Max Fedor, president and CEO, Biosafe. “In medical
products, Biosafe polymer is being used to combat harmful bacteria and viruses commonly encountered
in clinical settings. Medical textiles treated with the polymer have demonstrated a 99.999-percent
[5 log] reduction of certain microorganisms within five minutes. Among the microbes involved in
tests required for submission to the FDA were [methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus], [vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus], Influenza A and
Staphylococcus aureus.”
December 14, 2010
