Innovation in Veterinary Surgery and Post-Operative Care

Elizabethan collars are often recommended by veterinarians, especially to prevent dogs and cats from removing their sutures after surgery. They get their name from the lace collars that were fashionable in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. References to their use in veterinary medicine date back to at least 1897. The first Elizabethan pet collars were made of wood, leather or steel; some sources describe the application of buckets with holes in the bottom on dogs to prevent self-harm. There are variations in design, including features to facilitate diameter adjustments or the addition of padding, to ensure that the collars fulfil their function and/or to improve comfort.

Kimba, a Chilean vet company,has partnered with Copptech to create state-of-the-art post-operative clothing for dogs and cats, with Copptech technology, which keep pets’ injured areas clean and protected while they heal – and even heal faster. In a 2020 study, veterinarians at the University of Sydney in Australia conducted a survey of 434 owners whose pets had used the Elizabeth collar in the past year. It concluded that its use causes stress in pets, reduces, among other things, their field of vision and affects their freedom of movement (Shenoda, 2020).

Kimba, together with Copptech were the pioneers in using technology and progress to improve this ancient invention, so that pets could withstand and heal better – and faster,. The creation is called Body Kimba, that can be used in all types of animals and is now considered a the best veterinary measure in Chileans vet-clinics.

Adolfo Momares, the mind behind Kimba, says “The first thing we did was to determine the inconvenience of the Elizabethan collar and the challenges it poses for those of us who care for our pets. That is why we developed a body, which covers, protects and heals these tissues faster. Customised products based on the needs observed in dogs and cats”. 

The Kimba Body with Copptech technology, provides an antifungal, antimicrobial effect, permanent protection against infections and a visible improvement in wound healing. “With this clothing, the stress on pets is reduced after treatment or surgery. Now, thanks to the post-operative onesie, you can keep the injured areas clean and protected without having to endure the irritating device on the neck known as the “cone of shame”. Explains Veterinarian, Marcelo Jofré.

Innovation and tecnhnology to improve health and wellbeing! Also protecting our pets. Learn more in our Link https://www.copptech.com/cstaging/pets/

Shenoda, Y., (2020). “The Cone of Shame”: Welfare Implications of Elizabethan Collar Use on Dogs and Cats as Reported by their Owners. Animals, 10(2), 333.

The Airplane Seat of the Future Already Exists, It Cleans Itself and its Protected by Copptech!

Germs and microbes that lurk on airplane seats are a major source of infectious diseases. Most of these germs remain in various places on airplanes, despite the high altitude, temperature changes, air pressure and cleanliness of airline equipment. These germs survive in spite of even cleaning with uv lights and other commonly used cleaners. They live everywhere on an airplane, from the blankets you wrap yourself in, the front seat pocker, seats, tables, seat belts, carpets, windows and toilets.

Studies consistently show that almost everything inside an aircraft cabin is infested with bacteria and viruses. In this study on Transmission of infectious diseases during commercial air travel, they explain that: “The 2002 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome demonstrated how air travel can play an important role in the rapid spread of new emerging infections and may even initiate pandemics. In addition to the flight crew, public health officials and health professionals have an important role in the management of airline-borne infectious diseases and should be familiar with the guidelines provided by local and international authorities” (Mangili, 2005, p. 989).

Communicable diseases can be transmitted rapidly through an aircraft. 2.5 square centimetres of a seatbelt buckle can harbour 1,100 viable bacteria and fungal cells, according to a January report that analysed samples taken from a cabin. A 2014 study by Auburn University in Alabama found that MRSA – a superbug resistant to many antibiotic treatments – can live for a week in the fabric of a seat pocket harboured in a small saliva stain. (Vaglenov, 2014).

The quest for germ-free travel has become commonplace among people, as we all seek to protect ourselves from diseases and germs. The return to safe and secure travel is a priority. Copptech, committed to permanently protecting people, has developed the Copptech Microparticle, which permanently eliminates <99.9% viruses, bacteria and fungi in all types of materials in the interiors of airplanes, cars, buses and other means of transport, from the infrastructure to the upholstery.

Copptech is aware that the design of commercial aircraft has hardly changed in decades, and seats have become the focus of comfort. We firmlu believe that innovation should be promoted not only for comfort, but also to achieve protection and a microbe free experience.

The seats of tomorrow’s airplanes will be protected by Copptech. In addition to self-disinfecting, these seats will also eliminate mites and fleas that passengers might bring on board. A safe and eco-friendly technology that protect both passengers and crew members, permanently – 24/7. Safe travel is possible, innovating to protect people should be a priority.

Learn more about Copptech’s solutions for the Airspace and Transport industry on https://www.copptech.com/cstaging/transport/

(1) Mangili, A., 2005. Transmission of infectious diseases during commercial air travel. Lancet (London, England), 365(9463), 989-996.

(2) Vaglenov, K., 2014. Survival and transmission of selected pathogens on airplane cabin surfaces and selection of phages specific for Campylobacter jejuni (Doctoral dissertation).

Copptech Protected Non Woven Products – Protecting the Healthcare Industry

Copptech technology incorporates antimicrobial formulations into woven and non-woven textiles, polymers, resins and rubbers, turning them into biocidal products, i.e. they neutralise and prevent the action of any harmful microorganism, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, with an effectiveness of more than 99.9%. In particular, the development of non-woven fabrics has been beneficial in preventing the proliferation of hospital-acquired infections, as this line includes raw materials used in masks, medical gowns, pillowcases, caps and gurney covers, which are widely used in clinics and hospitals. Moreover, this is the same material used in wound dressings, pads and diapers.

“When the microorganism causing an infection comes into contact with a Copptech non-woven, it short-circuits its cell membrane, creating perforations. This allows the copper ions to enter, stopping the pathogen’s vital functions. Copptech technology helps to create an environment free of potentially pathogenic microorganisms around the skin, and if used as an adjunct in wound treatment, it will also contribute to the healing process,” explains Dr Luis Améstica.

People protection can be promoted through the use of technology and innovation. At Copptech, we firmly believe that health and wellbeing are possible and within our reach. The use of Copptech technology in the area of health would be a concrete and effective way to work towards decreasing the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. E-mail us at info@copptech.com/cstaging and we will tell you more about our partners who are already leading the way in the use of technology to protect through non-woven materials.

Certified Projects and Products

We are committed to always achieve the highest level of antimicrobial protection to deliver safety. This is why we certify the efficacy of our products with leading entities, recognised third party laboratories and Universities with science and innovation trayectories, such as the University of Chile and the University of Southampton in the UK.

Copper is the only metal certified by the USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its antimicrobial properties, and because it does not pollute the environment. And our own Copptech technology already has four EPA registrations, allowing it to be commercialized and guaranteeing its performance.

The efficacy of antimicrobial copper is supported by multiple research studies, one of which was conducted by the US Department of Defense – presented in 2011 in Geneva at the WHO Conference on Infection Prevention. This proved its ability to reduce the risk of infection by more than 40% (Schmidt, 2011).

Copptech has multiple formulations, using different antimicrobial ingredients. We have certifications for all products on the market with our logo. Choosing the Copptech logo is choosing protection, health and wellbeing – all scientifically backed by the highest international standards.

References:

Schmidt, MG. (2011). Copper Touch Surface Initiative Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA BMC Proceedings 2011, 5(Suppl 6):O53.

Sars-Cov-2 and Its Intra-Hospital Spread

Healthcare-associated infections have been a matter of concern in clinics and hospitals for a long time. This is because some bacteria have become resistant to disinfectants, i.e. they are not killed by sanitisation, so they can proliferate, increasing the likelihood of their spread among users. In the current SARS-COV-2 pandemic, there has been evidence of a high degree of viral spread within the health service (Lessells, 2020). This raises the question of how can we better protect ourselves from this invisible threat.

This is further evidence that microbes indeed can be spread within hospitals, compromising patients’ and healthcare staff’s health. This is why it is becoming increasingly urgent and important to protect people from these microbes, that are hidden in procedure rooms, gurneys, toilets and healthcare tools. It’s important for public and private healthcare to invest in a safe way to eliminate these microbes, without relying on sanitisation procedures that can be compromised by human error.The @Copptech Microparticle is capable of eliminating >99.9% of viruses, bacteria, fungi, mold and mites; protecting all types of surfaces and materials, with 24/7 self-sanitising action. Let’s permanently eliminate this major risk in health services, the technology already exists and will allow materials and spaces to be cleaner and safer for all users.ReferencesLessells R. (2020). Report into a nosocomial outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at Netcare St. Augustine’s Hospital. JAMA, 324(21):2155-2156.

The WHO estimates that the rise of multi-resistant bacteria to antibiotics will be one of the main causes of disease in the coming years. This means that bacteria that cause common infections today may become serious or fatal, as they will not respond to standard treatment. The increased use of antibiotics as a result of the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic further aggravates this reality.

Copptech has generated solutions that have demonstrated a broad antimicrobial spectrum, has all the potential to benefit health protection and healthcare in the medical field, putting Copptech at the service of health promotion and wellness. One solution under development that we believe has great potential is the application of Copptech technology in advanced wound care dressings. Copptech aims to create a solution to reduce wound infections by reducing the use of antibiotics, thereby reducing antibacterial resistance and minimising recovery and treatment times.

Today, surgical site infections occur in 2-4% of patients and are still one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients. It is the leading cause of death in patients readmitted to hospital after surgery (Patient Safety Network, 2019). This situation is especially alarming in those territories with less access to health services and which do not meet minimum hygiene and infrastructure standards. With this in mind, we are very proud of the progress we have made with this dressing, which has already been shown to reduce post-hospital readmissions by 38% in a clinical study (Arendsen, 2020).

We are motivated and willing to continue this line of research and development in order to make this technology available to all.

In 2010, about 35.1 million Americans spent at least one night in the hospital (1). The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 5% of hospitalized patients suffer from a hospital-acquired infection. These infections cause about 99,000 deaths each year (2), resulting in a loss of $10 billion each year (3) in public health costs.

While nosocomial infections were brought under control with the advent of penicillin and other antibiotics, concerns about the spread of infections have recently been heightened by the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Today, antibiotic-resistant infections show no signs of stopping. These infections have been attributed to the presence of harmful bacteria, misuse of antibiotics, infection control procedures and sterility standards. In fact, it has been predicted that by 2050, deaths from antibiotic-resistant bacteria will outnumber deaths from cancer.

Under lights, in equipment, screens, sheets, pillows and on gurneys, live a large number of microbes that have adapted to different environments and conditions, surviving despite cleaning and sanitization. This reality demonstrates the urgency of having technologies to reduce the spread and reproduction of these microbes that cause infections and diseases, which compromise our health and the conditions of hospital environments. At Copptech we have developed different solutions to be applied in hospitals, from textiles, paints, varnishes, plastics and more, to contribute to the decrease of the spread of infections and intra-hospital diseases.

References:

(1)https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhds/1general/2010gen1_agesexalos.pdf

(2)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/003335490712200205

(3)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/1733452

Fruit is an essential and very complete food, indispensable in a balanced diet. But a very prevalent and harmful problem in fruits is the growth of fungi and molds, in their growth, harvesting, transport and distribution. These fungi or mold, not only accelerate spoilage, but can also generate mycotoxins in fruits, causing allergies, asthma and infections in humans. In a study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology (2005), 251 samples of fresh fruit, including several varieties of grapes, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and citrus fruits, were analysed. These were disinfected, incubated at room temperature for up to 14 days without supplementary media, and then examined for mold growth. The results were alarming: fungal contamination levels ranged from 9 to 80%. For example, 35% of the grape samples tested were contaminated and supported fungal growth; while 83% of the citrus samples showed fungal growth at levels ranging from 25% to 100% of the fruit tested. This pathogen growth affects directly the fuit’s shelf life, producing large losses and contributing to food waste that has reached exorbitant levels, with an estimated 30-40% of food waste in the total of food available worldwide. It is because of these worrying facts, that providing a permanent solution to prevent mold and fungal growth in fruit is so important to us. After constant innovation and development, a safe and effective formula to prevent excessive mold growth on fruit has been found. It’s time for biotechnology to join the automation of food packaging and transport. Let’s save millions of tons of wasted food, throughout the food production chain, with a proven solution that increases significally the food’s shelf life. To learn more about this solution for the food industry, check out our Packaging section on our website.

Packaging

Tournas V.H., Katsoudas E. (2005). Mould and yeast flora in fresh berries, grapes and citrus fruits. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 105 (1), pp. 11-17.

Construction in Coastal Areas – A Permanent Challenge

Beach areas usually have rustic and scenic constructions, that give those territories a special character, a differentiative attribute that promotes tourism and a relaxed environment. However, these constructions suffer from environmental agents that cause deterioration, needing high cost year-round maintenance and care. Now, we are aware that advanced construction materials have an increased life cycle and by using them as building materials can help us prevent many heartaches.
The challenges of building in coastal areas are mainly two: Humidity that cause corrosion and proliferation of fungi and mold; and deterioration caused by Termites, a prevalent plague in wooden constructions, comments Martín Grez Walker, architect that for more than 15 years, has specialized in near shore construction.

Coastal humidity expands wood, promoting the proliferation of microbes such as fungi and mold. When the wood dries up, “fungi and mold stays traped inside the wood, stimulating its re-flourishing with each humidity episode”, describes Grez. Fungi and mold are a serious problem in construction. It not only make materials stain, affecting their look and feel and giving an overall dirty appearance. It also deteriorates materials, affecting their duration and affects human health though spore inhalation.

Regarding termites, these are seen in all climates, especially in warm and humid ones, making coastal areas a big prevalence focus. The damage that termites can produce to construction structures is huge. These enter the house from the floors, going inside foundations and pillars, affecting the core of the building by feeding from cellulose and bacteria that lives there. Termites can go unnoticed, laying larvae in foundations, only to become apparent when it’s already too late. This is seen in house remodeling “when we lift the floor we can see them in the beams, foundations, everywhere” adds Martín.

Products available in the market today to control fungi, mold and termites are highly toxic chemical agents, that can stain and impregnate wood with chemicals to prevent microbial propagation. But as they have serious negative consequences to our health, one may wonder, is the solution better than the problem?

Antimicrobial technologies can solve these two problems in an effective, safe and permanent way: An OSB wooden panel protected with Copptech Technology. In the first place, being antimicrobial means it will not allow microbes like mold, fungi and termites grow in the material, creating a hostile environment where they can’t survive. Being a chemical-free solution, it will not affect negatively construction workers or final users. It also allows materials to last longer, not suffering from damage produced by termites, fungi and mold. Copptech technology works permanently and continuously. As it is part of the material itself, it doesn’t require constant re-applications or maintenance.

There is no question that high quality building materials, that last longer and provide safe and effective solutions to construction issues in coastal areas are a growing trend, where people are looking for protection from microbes, because they directly affect their wellbeing.

Alongside Copptech protected OSB panels, you can find other antimicrovial construction materials like concrete, grout, melamine, pvc tubes, among others. Visit https://www.copptech.com/cstaging/industry/ for more information.