HEYER Medical AG Announces Research Project in Collaboration with the International Copper Association

Bad Ems, Germany, New York, U.S.A. November 14, 2008 - The International Copper Association (ICA) and HEYER Medical AG are pleased to announce the company’s proposal entitled “New applications for copper/copper alloy antimicrobial components in medical devices” has been selected as one of six winning proposals approved for funding from the more than 100 pre-proposals submitted to the ICA worldwide. HEYER also has the distinction of being the only award winner that is not a university.

HEYER Medical’s proposal was subjected to a rigorous screening by copper and technology experts, and it was selected based on a highly feasible research plan and its potential for positive impact on the global use of copper in the medical field. HEYER Medical has extensive experience in medical device development, testing, manufacturing and certification. “Heyer designs and produces critical life-support equipment, where performance and quality must meet or exceed the highest standards to ensure patient safety.” said Klaus Schickhaus, president of HEYER Medical AG. “The replacing of certain components with copper provides further protection from infection-specific indicator organisms that continue to be a challenge in hospital and clinical environments.”

The objective of this program is to measure whether certain components in various medical devices, such as anesthesia and inhalation machines – if replaced with copper and/or copper alloys – would reduce the potential spread of infection. Other medical devices are logical for using the antimicrobial properties of copper and its alloy, such as those used in disaster relief situations where both environmental and aseptic conditions are challenging.

The outcome from this research will provide the ICA with a framework for the continued development of medical devices fabricated with copper. Mr. Kevin Krizman, Assistant Director of Technology, stated that, “our work with HEYER on this project reflects the commitment of the ICA to develop the inherent antimicrobial properties of copper and copper alloys into practical hygienic applications.” The potential benefits of having active an antimicrobial environment that reduces or eliminates infectious pathogens could be enormous in advancing the next generation of medical devices.

About HEYER Medical AG:

Founded in 1883 by Carl Heyer, the company became an innovator in inhalation technology for the treatment of respiratory tract diseases. The company is still in its original location of Bad Ems, a health resort with a long tradition, idyllically situated on the River Lahn between Frankfurt and Cologne.

Today HEYER is an internationally acknowledged specialist in state-of-the-art inhalation and anaesthesia equipment, oxygen concentrators, breathing therapy equipment and connecting equipment. The products are used all over the world, particularly in the medical field, in clinics and practices in Europe and Asia as well as in the Middle East, South America and the USA. HEYER inhalation equipment is also increasingly used in wellness applications and for treatment and care at home.

HEYER Medical AG is certified to ISO 13485. All processes in the company are aimed at offering the customer the highest quality and maximum safety. HEYER makes innovation work for patients. The products are noted for their ease and reliability of operation.

About the International Copper Association (ICA):

The International Copper Association, Ltd. (ICA) is the leading organization for the growth and protection of copper markets worldwide, inspiring the world about copper’s essentiality for health, technology, and the quality of life.

The association’s membership represents a majority of the world’s refined copper output, and also includes some of the world’s largest fabricators of end-use copper products.

The ICA was established in 1989, and was preceded by the International Copper Research Association (INCRA), a strictly technical organization founded in 1960. Headquartered in New York, ICA develops programs and initiatives through regional offices in Brussels, Santiago, Singapore, and New York, and through 27 copper promotion centers on six continents.

HEYER Medical AG
Carl-Heyer-Str. 1/3
D-56130 Bad Ems – Germany
Phone: +49 2603 791 3 – Fax: +49 2603 70424
eMail: info@heyermedical.de – www.heyermedical.de
Presscontact: Mr. Sascha Tietz

This release was published on openPR.