THIS MONTH
Chitosan combats biofilm
Microbes often colonise wound dressings, catheters and other implantable medical devices causing biofilms. Researchers at the Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, USA, have found that coating devices in chitosan, a sugar in the cells of crabs and shrimp, can discourage microbes from gaining a foothold. Biofilms are thought to be responsible for 400 000 cases of catheter-related blood-stream infections each year. “Coating chitosan onto a surface seems to stop bacteria and yeast form colonising that surface,” said Philip Stewart, Director of the Centre. If further testing proves successful, coating devices such as mechanical heart valves, contact lenses, artificial hips and knees and breast implants could become an important first line of defence. He predicted, ”In the next 10 years, we are going to see new technologies in the form of coatings that will prevent or at least reduce the incidence of infection.” www.montana.edu, www.medicalnewstoday.com
Nano research database
The EU-funded network for nanotechnology, Nanoforum, has created a database of European companies, research institutes and universities that are active in nanotechnology. The information is available to anyone who registers on its website. The information in the database can be searched by industry sector, research interests or keyword for users to identify possible partners or suppliers. The database also allows participating organisations to be kept up to date with European Commission and EU-funded project news. www.nanoforum.org.
Harder demands for auditors
A new ISO/IEC standard places rigorous requirements for competence and impartiality on the bodies that offer audit and certifications for ISO 9001:2000 (quality management) and ISO 14001:2004 (environmental management). ISO/IEC 17021:2006 is designed to increase the confidence of organisations, their customers, consumers and regulatory authorities in management system certification. www.iso.org
Risk central
Experts will confront dilemmas of risk in health care at ECRI’s conference in Philadelphia, USA, on 15–16 November 2006. Speakers from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will discuss how potential harms and benefits factor into FDA’s processes when deciding to remove or approve medical devices from the market. A preconference methodology course being held on 14 November 2006 will focus on evaluating risk with respect to the assessment of health technologies and procedures, as well as the methods involved in those assessments. The conference consists of four sessions with multiple speakers in each. www.ecri.org.
RFID and smart packaging
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is growing rapidly and is predicted to be a US$21-billion (€16.6 billion) global business by 2016, according to an IDTechEx study. The additional value of the technology in patient compliance monitoring is highlighted such as recording when the contents of a blister pack are removed; and packages used in drug trials often incorporate RFID so that the record can be linked to the patient. Noncompliance is a major problem, estimated to cost more than US$100 billion (€79 billion) a year in the United States. Up to 50% of patients take their medication incorrectly either in quantity, time or duration, said the report. In rheumatology the level of noncompliance has been estimated at 65%; for arthritis and migraine it is only 7-15%, but most conditions fall into the 40–60% range. Efforts to improve compliance will benefit patients and reduce the load on primary and secondary care services. It could also prove to be more cost-effective for big pharma than looking for the next blockbuster drug. www.idtechex.com.
New chair for NHSIL
NHS Innovations London (NHSIL), UK, the organisation responsible for intellectual property (IP) management in London NHS Trusts, has appointed James Cochrane as its Chairman. Five new board members have also been elected. The organisation helps Trust staff turn their ideas into tangible products and protect the IP. After its first year of activity, twelve products are in development, four are in clinical trials and ten are commercialised. www.nhsinnovationslondon.com
DIMDI informs
The German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information has a system to notify Competent Authorities when a German testing centre suspends or denies certification of a medical device. The online system automatically emails authorities across Europe, which increases the chance of a quick reaction to hazards that may emanate from those devices. At the same time the authorities receive a survey of medical devices currently on the market. www.dimdi.de
Plunkett award entries
DuPont has issued a call for entries for the 2007 Plunkett Awards for innovation in fluoropolymers. The award is named after Roy J. Plunkett who discovered polytetrafluorethylene in 1938. It recognises the achievements of processors or users of DuPont’s products in innovative or improved products. www.uk.news.dupont.com
Nonwovens production up
EDANA, the trade association serving the nonwovens industry, has released figures showing that the production of nonwovens in Europe increased by more than 5% in 2005, reaching 1403 000 tonnes. Polymer-based spunmelt nonwovens showed impressive growth of 7.5%. The prinicipal end-use of nonwovens remains the hygiene market with a 33% share. Medical and surgical applications grew by 25.1%, second only to protective clothing. www.edana.org
