by
Joanna Padovano, Reporter | March 28, 2012
From the March 2012 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Low-temperature in high demand
Out of all the different methods available, gas plasma sterilization—a type of low-temperature sterilization—was determined to be the fastest growing segment of the market with yearly sales at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 9 percent, according to the Global Industry Analysts report.
The popularity of low-temperature sterilizers is in part due to the equipment’s ability to sterilize a wide array of materials, including items that wouldn’t tolerate high heat sterilization. Within the realm of low-temperature, some changes have taken place.
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“Ethylene oxide sterilizers were the standard for devices requiring low-temperature processing,” says Renee Brown, product manager of low temperature sterilizers for STERIS, a sterilizer manufacturer, “but recently, there has been a shift away from ethylene oxide to other low temperature modalities such as hydrogen peroxide sterilization, which offers short cycle times and increased productivity.”
ASP STERRAD 100NX
low temperature sterilizer
Low-temperature sterilizers include the Amsco V-Pro, launched by STERIS toward the end of 2011, which offers three different cycle options—25, 35 and 55 minutes—depending on the type of instruments that are being sterilized and a line of Sterrad Systems by Advanced Sterilization Products (a Johnson & Johnson company), which use low-temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization technology.
Refurbished keeps hospitals humming
For many facilities with tight budgets, shopping for refurbished units has become an attractive alternative. When a sterilizer is in the process of being refurbished, it must be returned to the operating characteristics that were set by its original manufacturer. Without FDA approval, a refurbisher cannot add any new features onto a system. With that reassurance, dealing with a reputable refurb company can save big money.
“Versus new, you’re going to see a savings of about 30 to 50 percent,” says Clay Morris, sales manager of Auxo Medical.
A provider of remanufactured sterilizers, Auxo Medical says its customer base consists of mainly surgery centers, although it also sells to hospitals, medical facilities and laboratories. Jay Crabtree, the company’s president, says he saw “significant growth” in sales last year.
