Autotex AM, the new hard coated graphic overlay film from MacDermid Autotype, the leading global developer and manufacturer of high performance films and coatings, has been chosen as a crucial component in the control panel of the new Epi-Care epilepsy alarm from Danish Care Technology, due to its combination of antimicrobial qualities and resistance to scratching and cleaning.
The new Epi-Care alarm allows medical staff to detect epileptic seizures while a patient is sleeping, enabling them to take appropriate action. The product is fully adjustable, able to register short seizures without alerting staff, and stores a report for every incident detected. It is easy to clean and robust, being specially designed for repeated use in both hospital and home applications.
Steen Jorgensen, Technical Director at CUC Engineering, the company manufacturing the device said, “Key to the development of the alarm was the need to minimise the serious threat from bacteria in environments where the product would be used. In addition, we needed the front moulded control panel to be able to withstand daily use and regular cleaning, and we therefore required a fascia material that offered a unique combination of properties.”
The control panel was supplied by GPV Danprint, which specialises in serigraphic printing and injection moulding. The company chose the Autotex AM, hard coated polyester based graphic overlay film, manufactured in the UK by Macdermid Autotype, for its combination of outstanding durability and superior antimicrobial properties, which are produced by incorporating Microban® technology.
The Microban® antimicrobial technology works by penetrating the cell wall of micro-organisms that come into contact with the substrate surface and disrupting their cell functions, making them unable to grow or reproduce. Microban® technology is incorporated into the Autotex textured hard coat during manufacturing, producing an even distribution of the antimicrobial agent throughout the film surface that will not wash or wear away. As a result, Autotex AM offers antimicrobial protection for the life of the alarm and, having been extensively tested, is proven to inhibit the growth of a wide range of bacteria, fungi and moulds, including MRSA, Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia Coli and Listeria Monocytogenes.
In addition to its antimicrobial properties, Autotex AM’s specially formulated outer hardcoat layer is resistant to both scratches and abrasions, and is unaffected by most common solvents and chemicals, enabling it to withstand everyday use and rigorous cleaning. The film is also easy to reverse print, enabling high definition graphics and legends to be produced, and has a long flex life and excellent ink adhesion, making it ideal for use with tactile or embossed keys or panel areas.
Steen Jorgensen, believes that these properties made Autotex AM the perfect choice of graphic overlay film for the control panel of the alarm, “Autotex AM was the only film on the market with the right combination of antimicrobial protection and resistance to wear, which were so crucial to the alarm’s design. We are so pleased with the results that we have also decided to incorporate the film into our new dialysis alarm.” |