Antimicrobial Copper: Healthy copper grows up

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Antimicrobial Copper-or Cu+ as it’s also know-is finding all sorts of new uses as companies, startups and even individuals explore ways to put it to work to fight germs.

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One of the latest and most distinctive is from a GP in France who decided to remodel his own community clinic with a range of Antimicrobial Copper surfaces and products, the first solo health professional in the world to make the decision-and the investment-for his patient’s health.
Dr Marc Deroo runs a small, independent practice in Oisemont in the Somme department of Picardie and sees around 20 patients daily. He decided to fit the doors to his office, waiting room and toilet with door handles made from solid Antimicrobial Copper for a more hygienic environment.
“The risk of infection spreading is not just a concern for patients at hospitals and clinics, but also those consulting private practice doctors,” said Dr Deroo. “Our facilities are small, meaning the number of surfaces that can act as vectors of infection is low, but the most frequently-touched surfaces are the door handles.”
“Every year, patients suffering from seasonal diseases like gastroentiritis or Influenza are using these handles and so replacing them with handles that will continuously reduce surface contamination means the microbial burden on those surfaces is greatly reduced, lowering the risk of cross-contamination. My patients will see that this practice takes a proactive approach to their safety.”
The handles were supplied by local manufacturer FAVI, who noted that “Our products are made from solid antimicrobial copper, meaning the antimicrobial efficacy is inherent to the metal and permanent. The material is 100% recyclable and completely safe to use.”
Hot & Cold Copper
While the physical use of copper surfaces continues to spread in healthcare settings and medical clinics around the world, lots of digital health startups and established medical hardware companies are also taking a look at what’s possible.
In a world first, Greek company Karabinis Medical S.A. has launched an antimicrobial copper thermometer with touch surfaces that will continuously kill disease-causing microbes.
“I set out to create an antimicrobial thermometer that would limit the spread of pathogens, thus protecting the health of those using it,” said Karabinis Medical’s President and CEO, Apostolos Karabinis. “The realisation of that concept is based on laboratory research and clinical studies into the antimicrobial efficacy of copper against a range of pathogens and in actual medical environments.”
At a press conference in Athens to launch the Antimicrobial Copper thermometer in January the Greek Minister of Health was presented with 2,000 of them ahead of shipment to some of Greece’s most remote healthcare facilities to support infection prevention measures.
Fast Food Copper
While some restaurants in South Korea and Europe have been installing healthy copper surfaces for a while now, moves by giant US fast food chain Chick-Fil-A to do the same suggests more just might on the menu.
The Chick-Fil-A outlet in Morganton, North Carolina is the first of the company’s nearly 2,000 restaurants in 41 states to install Antimicrobial Copper, starting with the push plates on the outside of the men’s and women’s restroom and the door handles on the inside. To make sure customers are aware of the new germfighting barrier, the restaurant has put up a description of the copper products on the wall for all to read.
The owner, Dallas Stoudamire, who describes the first install as ‘phase one’, cites interest in creating the cleanest environment possible for his customers and employees as his main driver for the installation. He sees the use of antimicrobial copper as a sign of his restaurant’s commitment to customers and depending on their feedback plans to install Cu+ hardware on other doors as well as in the kitchen.
Rest Assured
A lot of companies working in health, beauty, home and lifestyle have also taken note of the medical research proving copper can effectively and constantly battle bugs without any extra effort apart from regular cleaning.
The copper oxide fibers embedded in the iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Pillowcase is just one of the many embedded textiles coming on the market these days. The company behind the bedding, iluminage Beauty Inc, says it has the capacity to enhance the appearance of skin and combat microbes like fungi, bacteria and viruses.
“Interestingly, the fiber was developed for use in hospitals to treat wounds on diabetic and burn patients,” Dr. Gadi Borkow, Chief Medical Scientist & Virologist with Cupron Inc, a company developing and marketing copper embedded textiles and clothing, was quoted as saying. “They found that copper embedded into fabric fibers promoted the healing of sores, ulcers,
For more information  visit antimicrobialcopper.com