Dear Member

Welcome to the latest issue of our newsletter, providing an update on the latest developments in antimicrobial copper science and applications. It has been good to meet some of you at recent events - 'Materials for a Safer World', 'Reducing MRSA: towards zero' and the Leeds & Bradford Welding & Joining Society meeting. For the latest press releases and details of forthcoming events, click here.

In this issue:

A New Handle on Infection Control

Intensive Care Units Get the Copper Treatment

Gates Foundation Funding for Copper/HIV Research

Door hardware manufacturers have taken up the baton in the challenge to meet early demand for copper alloy hospital products with two companies launching product ranges.

AS Hardware Ltd

Wilhelm May GmbH (site in German)

To view more copper healthcare products visit the online catalogue.

Intensive Care Units Get the Copper Treatment

The intensive care units at three US hospitals have now been equipped with copper components as part of a Department of Defense-funded trial. Environmental sampling results, published at the end of last year, showed that in the intensive care scenario, contamination was highest closest to the patient. Consequently, the following items were identified as high-risk touch surfaces and subsituted with copper components:

Bed rails
Nurse call buttons
Visitor chairs
IV drip poles
Data input devices (keyboards/mice)

Cupron have been successful in their application for funding by the Gates Foundation to research their copper-oxide containing Breastmilk Shield for the prevention of HIV transmission between nursing mothers and their babies. The anti-HIV properties of the shield will utilise Cupron's multi-patented technology, in which the broad-spectrum anti-viral properties of copper oxide are used to eliminate a wide range of viruses, including HIV.