Nanoscale Disruptive Technology Kills Pathogens on Touch
|
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 10 Mar 2015 |

Image: A NanoSeptic self-cleaning surface door handle (Photo courtesy NanoTouch Materials).
Innovative surface technology kills pathogens in an environmentally conscious way, without generating resistant microbes which are difficult to treat.
NanoSeptic self-cleaning surfaces are composed of antimicrobial components that provide a non-leaching, self-cleaning surface that constantly kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi utilizing molecularly bonded nanotechnology and a light-powered catalytic oxidation process. The surface is also hydrophilic, so that water, oils, dirt, and other contaminants are actively shed. The surfaces are available in standard sizes for door push pads, door handle wraps, door push bar pads, equipment and cart handle wraps, and even disposable mouse pads. The adhesive wrappings are peeled off and replaced periodically.
Maintenance includes routine cleaning with soap and water or stronger cleansers, and does not affect the efficacy of the surface. While the surfaces are self-cleaning at a microscopic level, they can still become soiled or stained if exposed to coffee, wine, or suchlike, but will continue to function as long as no abrasive products that can physically wear or damage them are used. The NanoSeptic self-cleaning surfaces are manufactured by NanoTouch Materials (Forest, VA, USA), and have an effective life in the healthcare setting of 90 days, as long as he surface is not worn.
“When it comes to healthcare, we’re thrilled that our approach aligns with the Hippocratic Oath which states that doctors should ‘first, do no harm,’” said Dennis Hackemeyer, co-founder of NanoTouch Materials. “Since the NanoSeptic surface doesn’t use chemicals, poisons, or heavy metals, we aren’t adding any toxins to the environment, and it doesn’t contribute to antimicrobial resistance.”
Related Links:
NanoTouch Materials
NanoSeptic self-cleaning surfaces are composed of antimicrobial components that provide a non-leaching, self-cleaning surface that constantly kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi utilizing molecularly bonded nanotechnology and a light-powered catalytic oxidation process. The surface is also hydrophilic, so that water, oils, dirt, and other contaminants are actively shed. The surfaces are available in standard sizes for door push pads, door handle wraps, door push bar pads, equipment and cart handle wraps, and even disposable mouse pads. The adhesive wrappings are peeled off and replaced periodically.
Maintenance includes routine cleaning with soap and water or stronger cleansers, and does not affect the efficacy of the surface. While the surfaces are self-cleaning at a microscopic level, they can still become soiled or stained if exposed to coffee, wine, or suchlike, but will continue to function as long as no abrasive products that can physically wear or damage them are used. The NanoSeptic self-cleaning surfaces are manufactured by NanoTouch Materials (Forest, VA, USA), and have an effective life in the healthcare setting of 90 days, as long as he surface is not worn.
“When it comes to healthcare, we’re thrilled that our approach aligns with the Hippocratic Oath which states that doctors should ‘first, do no harm,’” said Dennis Hackemeyer, co-founder of NanoTouch Materials. “Since the NanoSeptic surface doesn’t use chemicals, poisons, or heavy metals, we aren’t adding any toxins to the environment, and it doesn’t contribute to antimicrobial resistance.”
Related Links:
NanoTouch Materials
Latest Critical Care News
- New Sensor Could Bring Contactless Vital Sign Monitoring to Hospital Bedsides
- Diamond-Based Magnetometers Could Enable New Approaches to Heart Monitoring
- Emergency Department Campaign Reduces CT Use Without Identified Missed Injuries
- Portable Artificial Lung Technology Could Reshape Care for Chronic Lung Disease
- FDA Clears Multi-Device ECG Analysis Software for Extended Monitoring
- Multimodal AI Improves Treatment Response Prediction in Lung Cancer
- New Approach Helps Identify Materials for More Reliable Wearable Electronics
- Scotland Adopts Respiratory Infection Control Guidance Informed by Aerosol Research
- Hospital Safety Program Linked to 65% Reduction in MRSA Bloodstream Infections
- Wearable Microneedle Device Aims to Enable Remotely Managed Pain Relief
- Octopus-Inspired Patch Improves Adhesion for Transdermal Drug Delivery
- Multimodal AI System Tracks Early Warning Signs of Mental Health Crisis
- Self-Folding Paper Sensor Conforms to Body Without Straps or Adhesives
- Patch-Based Therapy Promotes Myelin Repair in Multiple Sclerosis
- Rapid EHR Surveillance Helps Protect High-Risk Patients During Heat Waves
- Remote Cardiac Device Monitoring System Shows Safety and Cost Benefits
Channels
Artificial Intelligence
view channelAI Improves Non-Contrast CT Interpretation for Time-Sensitive Stroke Assessment
Acute ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, requiring rapid diagnosis to enable timely reperfusion therapy. Emergency departments often use computed tomography angiography... Read more
AI-Powered ECG Model Gains FDA Authorization for Emergency Cardiac Assessment
Powerful Medical’s PMcardio Queen of Hearts (ACS AI ECG Model) has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) De Novo authorization, announced on September 15, 2026. The model is designed to identify... Read moreSurgical Techniques
view channel
Handheld Infrared Imaging Device Supports Tumor Margin Assessment During Surgery
Accurately determining tumor margins during surgery remains challenging. Frozen-section pathology takes time and can miss residual disease, potentially leading to repeat surgery and delayed therapy.... Read more
Needle-Free Intrauterine Anesthesia Technique Reduces Pain During IUD Insertion
Pain during intrauterine device (IUD) placement often deters women from choosing this long-acting contraception. Avoiding or undertreating procedural pain can reduce uptake and satisfaction with effective... Read more
Robotic Platform Advances Fetoscopic Treatment of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a life-threatening complication in monochorionic twin pregnancies caused by unbalanced placental blood flow. Definitive treatment requires endoscopic laser coagulation... Read morePatient Care
view channel
EHR Model Flags High-Risk Periods in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Determining when patients with metastatic breast cancer are nearing the end of life remains difficult, often leading to intensive interventions with limited benefit. Prognostic uncertainty can delay goals-of-care... Read more
Virtual Reality Helps Claustrophobic Patients Complete Cardiac PET/CT Scans
Anxiety and claustrophobia—intense fear of confined spaces—often prevent patients from completing cardiac positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Aborted scans delay diagnosis, consume... Read moreMedical Imaging
view channel
AI Tool Integrates MRI and Ultrasound to Detect Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain, heavy bleeding, and infertility. Diagnosis often depends on surgical visualization,... Read more
New MRI Index Reveals How Brain Blood Flow Supports Cellular Energy Needs
The human brain has minimal energy reserves and relies on tightly regulated blood flow to meet its high metabolic demands. However, clinicians have lacked noninvasive tools to assess how cortical perfusion... Read moreHealth IT
view channel
New Tablet Platform Extends Stroke Neurorehabilitation Beyond the Clinic
Continuity and intensity of neurorehabilitation after stroke are critical for functional recovery, but access to ongoing therapy at home often remains limited. Hospitals and outpatient programs therefore... Read more
Smartphone App Improves Blood Pressure Control in Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major modifiable driver of cardiovascular, renal, and cerebrovascular morbidity. Despite effective therapies, many adults fail to achieve control, leading to... Read morePoint of Care
view channel
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Identifies Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults Without Diabetes
Dysglycemia—abnormal blood glucose regulation—can fluctuate throughout the day and often escape conventional screening. Clinicians typically rely on fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c, which offer... Read more
Microneedle Patch Enables At-Home Monitoring of Acute Kidney Injury
Kidney disease is often silent in its early stages, making timely detection difficult outside clinical settings. Early biomarkers such as neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin can require blood draws... Read moreBusiness
view channel
Medtronic Receives FDA Clearance for Vessel-Sealing Instrument for Robotic Surgery
As robotic-assisted surgery expands across U.S. hospitals, teams increasingly seek energy instruments with the familiarity and performance of tools used in open and laparoscopic procedures.... Read more
Robotic Single-Port System Gains CE Mark for Transvaginal Gynecologic Procedures
Intuitive (Sunnyvale, CA, USA) announced that it has received CE mark approval for use of the da Vinci SP Single Port surgical system in transvaginal gynecologic procedures, marking the first such indication... Read more







