HyGentic™: A new antimicrobial elemental silver technology for the medical device industry

The use of antimicrobials in medical devices is becoming significantly more important and as a result is enjoying double digit growth rates. Physicians, nurses, health insurance companies, hospital management and the medical device industry know that surfaces of medical devices can be a steady source of infection-causing microorganisms. The addition of an antimicrobial with built-in protection offers the opportunity to reduce the risk of infection and thus can have the potential to reduce health care costs.

HyGentic™ can be used for a broad range of medical devices including implants, catheters and wound care products.

HyGentic™ has a long lasting depot effect: silver ions (Ag+) are released from the metallic silver depot without causing cytotoxic side effects to surrounding tissues, making it an ideal product for use in medical devices.

HyGentic™ is offered as HyGentic™ 4000 for non-transparent thermoplastic polymers/fibres and HyGentic™ 9000 is the product of choice when transparency of the medical device is of importance.