The technology behind AMBI Safe

WHAT

The AMBI Safe range of products are made from 3D printed antimicrobial material, which contains a Nano-Copper additive eliminating more than 99.99% of fungi, viruses, bacteria and a wide range of microorganisms for a period of at least 6 months.

The products have been created by the MedScan3D design team in Galway to enhance protection for commonly touched surfaces at home and in the work place by combining our 3D printing and medical technology expertise. 

WHY

As the world continues to adapt to new viral and bacterial challenges, MedScan3D have developed a ground breaking range of antimicrobial products that protect commonly touched surfaces against the spread of microbes.

While the natural antimicrobial properties of copper have been known for centuries, the cost of copper has been prohibitive in using the material as widely as would be desired.

By combining cutting edge 3D printing technologies with the properties of copper ions MedScan3D have developed an effective solution against the spread of microbes across commonly touched surfaces in a manner that is cost effective and durable.

The AMBI Safe range ensures increased protection for the home and workplace, while saving significant time and resources by reducing the need for continuous wiping and sterilisation of surfaces.

The above images shows the viability of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus at 22°C and 50% relative humidity on C11000 copper, a silver ion-containing material, and S30400 stainless steel. While a substantial reduction in bacterial count was demonstrated for C11000 copper, there was no substantial reduction in silver ion-containing materials (one shown) or stainless steel, which was used as the  experimental control. 

HOW

The AMBI Safe range of antimicrobial products work via the release of copper ions (electrically charged particles) when microbes, transferred by touching or sneezing, land on the surface AMBI Safe products.

The copper ions prevent cell respiration, punch holes in the bacterial cell membrane or disrupt the viral coat, thereby destroying the DNA and RNA inside.

This is the concept behind antimicrobial 3D printing, allowing our team at MedScan3D custom print AMBI Safe products of all shapes and sizes to meet the needs of our customers.  

Current studies tend to be in agreement on the viral ‘contact killing’ mechanism but few questions remain to be clarified, including the involvement or not of ROS . In contrast, bacterium ‘contact killing’ mechanism is much discussed in the literature. Two hypotheses compete, the first showing bacterial death by membrane degradation and the second by genotoxicity of copper. Finally, fungal ‘contact killing’ mechanism has been very little studied in the literature and the results suggest a mechanism by membrane damage. Abbreviations: VRE , vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecalis ; MRSA , methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; ROS , reactive oxygen species.

The graphic above shows the results of 2 studies conducted by microbiology laboratories in USA and Chile. Both studies confirm that the Colony Forming Units (CFU) of Staphylococcus aureus MRSA and Escherichia coli DH5a, falls abruptly during exposure to AMBI Safe products.