What is Silver3® ?
Dartex Silver3® fabric uses silver ions in ceramic carriers held in a polymer matrix. It works actively against MRSA and a wide range of other pathogens killing 99.9% tested on contact. Antimicrobially effective for four years when used as instructed.
How is Silver3® made?
Using Dartex proprietary knowledge the silver ions are held on the surface of the PU face of the fabric so that they are readily available to fight bacteria and viruses. Silver3® was developed with Smith & Nephew Extruded Films.
Is there risk of harm to the patient in contact with Silver3® ?
Comprehensive testing has shown that Silver3® has a cytotoxicity of 2 or less under ISO 10993-5 meaning it is safe for use by patients and in the home. Skin irritation ISO 10993-10 results are 0:0 negligible.
The additive used in Silver3® has been tested for: – Acute Oral Toxicity – Primary skin irritation – Mutagenicity – Skin Sensitisation – Photo toxicity – Repeat insult patch test
The EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System for silver can be found at
http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0099.htm
top
Can Silver3® cause skin discolouration?
The silver in Silver3® is ionic and bound into the polymer matrix and used as a support surface, will not discolour skin.
top
What is the Silver3® kill rate against pathogens like MRSA?
Silver3® is clinically proven under test JIS Z2801 to have an antimicrobial activity of 3, killing 99.9% of MRSA. A sample of Silver3® is placed in a sealed dish with a known count of bacterium and left for 24 hours. At the end of this period the number of viable bacterium is measured and represented in a logarithmic scale. From the initial count of 100,000 to 400,000 bacterium only 10 to 100 are left after contact with Silver3® , giving a kill rate of Log 3.
top
How is the silver in Silver3® activated?
Atmospheric or body moisture is sufficient to activate the product, breaking down the carrier and making the silver available at the product surface. The silver is not released from the product but remains on the active surface where it effectively kills pathogens on contact. The Silver3® mechanism differs from other silver products on the market, for example wound dressings, because it is not intended as a treatment. Covers using this technology work to reduce the bioburden in the patient's environment.
top
What other organisms is Silver3® effective against?
Silver3® has also been shown to be effective against e coli using the JIS Z2801 standard.
top
How long will Silver3® last?
Silver3® is guaranteed to remain effective for four years when used as instructed.
top
How should Silver3® be cleaned and maintained?
Cleaning, Washing and Drying Instructions: Mattress and other covers utilising the Silver3® technology must be regularly cleaned and disinfected to ensure consistent efficacy. Dartex <Silver3® fabric is easily laundered. Machine wash at temperatures up to 71˚C and tumble dry at temperatures of up to 130˚C, to ensure performance over four years. Care guidance is given in Dartex Silver3® Cleaning and Care sheet.
top
Does Silver3® offer the same patient support as standard Dartex covers?
Silver3® retains the support and stretch of Dartex Healthcare fabrics which have led the way in decubitus prevention and has a similar level of Moisture Vapour Transmission
top
Does Silver3® meet Flame Retardance standards?
It conforms to BS 7175, source 5, BS EN ISO 12952-1/2 and BS EN ISO 12952-3/4
top
Will Silver3® harm the environment?
Dartex Silver3® fabric is intended for use in a clinical environment. As such the preferred method of disposal after use is incineration. In this way it is not possible for the silver content of the mattress cover to enter the waste water stream. This technology does not use silver nanoparticles, which are the cause of some environmental concern and may be found in, for example, colloidal silver products.
top
Where can I find further information?
On request Dartex Coatings will send a pack to our customers under a standard Non-Disclosure Agreement
top
Silver3® further reading
1. European Tissue Repair Society,
bulletin 9
top
