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Antimicrobial technology is now available for surgical respirator mask

11 Mar '11

2 min read

Foss Manufacturing's Fosshield Antimicrobial Technology is now available to the commercial market and has been selected by Nexera Medical as the antibacterial technology in its new SpectraShield 9500 Surgical N95 Respirator Mask. The SpectraShield 9500 Surgical N95 Respirator Mask recently received FDA 510K and NIOSH clearance, making it the first antibacterial respirator mask of its kind to achieve FDA clearance in the U.S.

Unlike other antimicrobial agents that are applied via topical coatings or include actual metals, the patented antimicrobial technology in Fosshield uses a silver and copper ion fiber system to deliver effective and permanent protection from microbes without risk to humans or impact on the environment. The antimicrobial silver and copper ions capture and kill the microbes, and the Fosshield fiber can be blended into almost any fabric from cotton to nylon without changing its characteristics.

The durable SpectraShield mask is 99.99% effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria — including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It is designed for use in surgical and medical settings and by first responders and the general public during emergency events such as a disease outbreak or full-scale pandemic.

"We are very pleased with the FDA's and NIOSH's recent commercial clearance of Nexera's SpectraShield mask, which we believe validates our Fosshield technology's ability to protect people from harmful germs, including some of the world's most dangerous strains of bacteria," said A.J. Nassar, chief executive officer, Foss Manufacturing Company. "Fosshield is a technology with enormous potential, and we are currently working to bring its germ-fighting power beyond the SpectraShield mask to many other products across several markets, including automotive, apparel, building, and hospitality."