Contamination through contact

Using a patented adhesive system, the film can even be applied in advance with the help of auxiliary personnel, and yet a sterile operation by the surgeon is still possible. (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

Using a patented adhesive system, the film can even be applied in advance with the help of auxiliary staff, and still allows for sterile operation by the surgeon afterward. (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

Using a patented adhesive system, the film can even be applied in advance with the help of auxiliary tools, and still allows for sterile operation by the surgeon afterward. (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

On the side of the foil, small tabs are attached to facilitate peeling off the top protective film. (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

On the side of the foil, small tabs are attached to facilitate the removal of the top protective film. (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

On the side of the foil, small tabs are attached to facilitate the removal of the top protective film. (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

The film remains attached to the display until the operation. At the beginning of the operation, the last protective film is removed, thus ensuring sterile operation of the monitor. (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

The film remains attached to the display until the operation. At the beginning of the surgery, the last protective film is removed, ensuring sterile operation of the monitor. (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

Neither the image quality nor the usability are affected by Stertouch Pro. (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

After the operation, the film can be completely removed without any adhesive residues. (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

To prevent contamination through touching touch monitors and keyboards, surgeons usually rely on assistance. However, with Stertouch Pro, sterile touch operation by the surgeon themselves is also possible. (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

"The surgeon currently relies on additional assistance when operating displays and devices for hygiene reasons," reports Dipl.-Ing. Uwe Seidel, Development Manager at Saxonymed GmbH. "To restore full control over the operating room, we have developed a multi-layer film that allows sterile contact with surfaces without losing valuable image information." (Source: Saxonymed GmbH)

The technology of modern operating rooms is becoming increasingly complex, but at the same time, a sterile working environment must be maintained – even with control elements. To prevent contamination through contact by the surgeon, the touch monitors and keyboards can only be operated indirectly via the OR assistance. Alternative methods have not yet gained acceptance: plastic covers over the monitors are sterile but degrade image quality and make operation nearly impossible. Voice or gesture controls, on the other hand, are too cumbersome in practice and have not become established due to the complex control processes in the operating room. Therefore, Saxonymed GmbH has developed a solution with the multi-layer film Stertouch Pro, which not only allows sterile operation of displays but also provides an unobstructed clear view. Thanks to a validated production process and gamma irradiation, sterility is guaranteed according to DIN EN ISO 11137-2. The Stertouch Pro can even be prepared in advance by staff in a sterile environment through the patented layered system without contamination. With a short final work step, a sterile working environment is created, and after the operation, the film can be removed without adhesive residues. Stertouch Pro is being presented to the public for the first time at this year's Medica.

Currently, numerous displays are used as wall-mounted image reproduction devices or increasingly positioned on the OR traffic light system. The equipment of the operating environment with touch displays is significantly increasing. To avoid contamination by the surgeon, he controls these devices via instructions to the assistance staff. "The surgeon currently relies on additional help for controlling displays and devices for hygiene reasons," reports Dipl.-Ing. Uwe Seidel, Development Manager at Saxonymed GmbH. "To give him back independent control over these processes in the operating room, we have developed a multi-layer film that allows sterile contact with surfaces without losing valuable image information." Stertouch Pro can be mounted not only on a touchscreen but also on switches like a glass keyboard or on the control of an endoscopy tower via a touchpad.

Sterile operation of touch systems

Stertouch Pro is a sterile film system composed of multiple layers: the central element is a transparent PE film that does not affect image quality or usability. An expert report from the Fraunhofer Institute for Optical Applications confirmed that even with the applied film, medically relevant image material can be displayed. Special attention is paid to the specific acrylic adhesive, as conventional film adhesives can significantly degrade image quality and leave adhesive residues on the monitor. "We were able to solve these problems through collaboration with the globally active company Nitto Belgium NV," says Seidel. "We are glad to have found such a competent partner in the field of adhesive tapes and have entered into a permanent exclusive partnership with Nitto." The sterility of the film itself is ensured by a validated process. The actual sterilization is carried out through validated and batch-certified gamma irradiation at the company Steris in Radeberg (Saxony). Each film has a batch and serial number along with the production date and expiry information.

Thanks to the patented layered system, Stertouch Pro can be easily and quickly applied to smooth surfaces – even by non-medically trained personnel. This is supported by a positioning strip and two peel-off tabs on the sides. "In this way, the film can be applied in advance, either sterile or unsterile, to prepare for an operation," explains Seidel. "At the start of the operation, the blue protective film is simply removed. This creates a sterile surface in no time, and the procedure can begin – the operation of the covered surfaces remains sterile throughout the procedure." After the operation, Stertouch Pro can be removed without leaving residues, as the polymers of the adhesive are always drawn to the film.

Flexible application options and special versions

So far, Stertouch Pro is available as a standard for keyboards and displays up to 32 inches. However, the films can be used not only for monitors or tablets. Other surfaces can also be sterilized and protected. The application possibilities are as diverse as the critical surfaces in the operating room. "We deliver the films personally to users via our own logistics," Seidel explains. "This ensures a safe and validated transport. We are also happy to accommodate special requests with the appropriate quantity."

Stertouch Pro will be presented at this year's Medica in Düsseldorf. For questions about the innovative multi-layer film and sterilization in the digital operating room, Uwe Seidel, Development Manager at Saxonymed GmbH, will be available at booth B50 in hall 12 during the trade fair.