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Milliken Pivots Textile Manufacturing to Produce Advanced Medical PPE

Thursday, April 2nd, 2020

Focused on engineering textiles into medical-grade fabrics using anti-microbial and fabric barrier coatings

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Global textile manufacturer Milliken & Company is leveraging its materials science expertise to manufacture much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for the healthcare industry amid the current COVID-19 global pandemic. Milliken’s new advanced medical fabrics and barriers are currently available and complement Milliken’s breakthrough BioSmartTM antimicrobial technology used in scrubs, lab coats and hospital privacy curtains, harnessing the power of bleach to kill up to 99.9% of common bacteria on contact.

Milliken is manufacturing critical barrier protection fabrics to be used in gowns and headcovers for healthcare professionals. Milliken is also researching and developing materials for incorporation into N95-grade masks. These new innovations complement our existing range of products that can be used for temporary shelters in situations where it’s deemed necessary to set up transitory field hospitals.

“We have focused our development and manufacturing processes to help fight the battle against COVID-19,” said Halsey M. Cook, Milliken & Company president and CEO. “We began by engineering our existing textiles into medical-grade fabrics for PPE, and we will continue to seek critical solutions as we navigate this uncharted territory as a company, a nation and a world.”

These new advanced medical textiles and barriers are made in the USA and a result of the company applying deep knowledge in material science to modify fabrics that would meet the critical requirements for garments worn by healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 virus.

“Our team of scientists and developers is fully engaged, uncovering solutions to address critical medical and protective needs for those fighting on the front lines of this pandemic,” stated Chad McAllister, president and EVP, Textile Division.

Categorized into Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3, Milliken’s advanced medical fabrics and barriers tested to the ANSI/AAMI PB70 Standard and suit multiple medical environments and usage situations.

• Level 1 Medical Textile, Milliken PerimeterTM: Suitable for minimal risk situations, including basic care settings and standard hospital medical units, this gown textile provides a slight barrier to small amounts of fluid penetration. Tested to the ANSI/AAMI PB70 standard.

• Level 2 Medical Textile, Milliken PerimeterTM: Designed for low risk situations, including suturing and the pathology lab, this gown textile provides a barrier to larger amounts of fluid penetration through splatter and some fluid exposure through soaking. Tested to the ANSI/AAMI PB70 standard.

• Level 3 Medical Barrier, Milliken PerimeterTM: Designed for moderate risk situations, including hospital emergency rooms and trauma care, this PPE gown textile provides a barrier against larger amounts of fluid penetration through splatter, and more fluid exposure through soaking than Level 2. Tested to the ANSI/AAMI PB70 standard.

Milliken has a storied, 150-year legacy in American textile manufacturing and is known worldwide for industry-leading performance and protective textiles, including fabrics for first responder PPE, flame-resistant workwear, military uniforms, airbags, commercial and residential interior environments, napery and more.

www.milliken.com

Posted in COVID-19 Pandemic, Industry, Materials, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on Milliken Pivots Textile Manufacturing to Produce Advanced Medical PPE

New Owyhee COVID-19 Decontamination Solution

Thursday, April 2nd, 2020

COVID-19 AND THE SPECTRA DF-500 DECONTAMINATION SOLUTION

(Eagle, ID – Owyhee Group Companies) Owyhee Group Companies announced it is partnering with Spectra Shield Technologies to supply Spectra DF-500 disinfectant to its customers during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The objective is to provide a solution that kills and neutralizes biological threats like COVID-19. The Spectra DF-500 formulation grew out of the licensing and commercialization of a high-level disinfectant developed by the US Government at Sandia National Laboratories under the name DF-200. “The mainstay of the disinfectant world has been bleach and other toxic, corrosive, non-biodegradable and hazardous products. Under most residential conditions, these products do what they report. However, in cases of biohazards and pandemics there is a need for a higher level of efficacy and permanency. The competitive difference of Spectra DF-500 and Spectra DF-200 is the spectrum of kill and the environmental benefits”, notes Spectra Shield Technologies CEO Thad Weist.

The development of Spectra DF-500 came out of the U.S. government recognition of a need to combat bioterrorism after a nerve agent was released on a Tokyo subway in 1995, killing 12 and injuring another 1,000. The goal was to develop a solution to neutralize a wide spectrum of chemical and biological threats such as Anthrax, MRSA and other viral threats, with low-corrosivity and reducing the harmful effects to the environment. Unlike traditional disinfectants, Spectra DF-500 chemically cleaves the spore wall and neutralizes the mycotoxin inside. It also changes the osmotic pressure around the cell, which causes an imbalance in the internal cellular pressure resulting in the total collapse of the cellular membrane. In 2004, Kansas State University did a study with the DF-200 formula against SARS-Coronavirus with 100% deactivation in 1 minute.

The disinfectant is avaliable from Owyhee Group Companies in two different products: Spectra DF-500 and Spectra DF-200. Spectra DF-500 is EPA registered as a Decontaminant, Disinfectant, Virucide, Bactericide, Fungicide, Deodorizer, Algaecide, Antibacterial, Mildewstat and Cleaner. The Spectra DF-200 is a 3 part solution, including an accelerator to kill and neutralize chemical and biological threats and is EPA registered.

The liquids are combined at the time of application and are good for appoximately 8 hours. Unopened, DF-500 and DF-200 can be stored for 6 to 8 years, under controlled conditions. Each can be applied as a foam or as a liquid. An application device is not included in the delivery set. In a proper application, one gallon of fluid can cover 2,500 square feet. While biodegradable, neither product should be used directly on food. Both Spectra DF-500 and DF-200 have proven to be highly effective in destroying bio-films of select microorgansim in food processing facilities. Application of either product on food contact surface requires a potable water rinse.

The products are for sale at https://owyheegroup.com in 4 gallon kits that will cover approximately 10,000 square feet. The product is also available in 300 gallon totes for larger applications.

Interested parties can call Owyhee Group at 208.938.6086 or email sales@owyheegroup.com for quotations. The company has provided a special feature page covering the products at owyheegroup.com/product/decontamination.

Posted in Advertiser, CBRNE, COVID-19 Pandemic, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on New Owyhee COVID-19 Decontamination Solution

Mustang Survival – Saving Lives On Land

Thursday, April 2nd, 2020

Canadian marine company turns from survival suits to isolation gowns for health professionals.

Burnaby, BC – Mustang Survival®, the Canadian brand known for innovative solutions for the most demanding marine environments, has been saving the lives of water professionals for over 50 years. And now, they’re turning their attention to saving lives on land.

As a design, engineering and manufacturer of life vests, survival suits and dry suits for both Military, public safety professionals and marine recreational users, in light of the global pandemic Mustang Survival is shifting their focus inland – to PPE gowns for front line healthcare workers.

At 11:00am today, April 1, the Mustang Survival factory in Burnaby, BC officially went into production of the first 500 Isolation Gowns; a level 3 certified (PPE), fully waterproof gown designed and engineered to bring new levels of safety to frontline healthcare workers.

Collaborating alongside innovative and cutting edge BC manufacturers and apparel companies—Boardroom Clothing and KenDor Textiles—over the last two weeks, Mustang rallied together with the local health care sector to design and engineer a gown that solves for gaps in PPE supply chains, and offers additional protection to individuals tirelessly fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With increased demand for PPE, there was a need to get ahead of the problem and look to local sources to solve it“, says Mark Anderson, Chair of the BC Apparel & Gear Association and Director of Engineering at Burnaby-based Mustang Survival; who, through years of experience in outfitting frontline defenders and public safety teams, is in a unique position to help.

“Our 50 year history of developing innovative solutions for both Military and public safety professionals combined with the unique advantage of being part of a cutting edge design community here in Vancouver provides us with the ability to adjust and pivot our focus on developing a solution”, said Anderson.

Diving into prototyping to rapid testing, Mustang Survival flipped their innovation lab—the Waterlife Studio—in Burnaby, BC into a rapid-response facility dedicated to finding a solution for this public safety crisis. Backed with the support of local health care officials to reach safety-certified status, what’s resulted is a gown not only offering a local solution to depleting supply chains, but an increased level of safety for the workers themselves.

Taking the local initiative global, once the plans are approved Mustang Survival will share the technical specifications for level 3 and level 2 medical gowns so manufacturers all over the world can rally their own communities, and unite suppliers with sewers and seam sealers to bring these gowns to their local healthcare teams.

The technical packages will be shared through the BCAG website, and will include the pattern, technical details and a list of certified materials approved for level 2 & level 3 gowns.

The goal? To share the information so other individuals and groups eliminate time spent on ideas that can’t be certified and focus on producing gowns that offer assured safety – making sure that frontline health workers feel confident that they are safe while supporting patients.

For Mustang Survival, the pilot run of the first 500 Isolation Gowns is just the beginning.

If all goes well in this first run, they will convert their local factory to be dedicated to gown construction. With other local sewing houses and other manufacturers re-opening to support the project, Mustang Survival is confident the collective capacity to produce these gowns can make a significant contribution to those putting their lives at risk every day to fight the virus.

For more information, please visit www.mustangsurvival.com.

Posted in Design, International, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on Mustang Survival – Saving Lives On Land

AirBoss Defense Group Selected by FEMA to Support the US National COVID-19 Response

Thursday, April 2nd, 2020

Delivering Powered Air Purifying Respirators and High Efficiency Filters to Federal Government

LANDOVER, MD (April 1, 2020) – AirBoss Defense Group (ADG) announced today that the U.S. Government has placed an initial order for 100,000 American-made FlexAir™ Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) and 600,000 High Efficiency Filters for urgent response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FlexAir™ PAPR is designed to enable medical providers and first responders unencumbered protection over extended periods of time while providing critical medical care. The value of the contract is expected to be $96.4M and deliveries will begin immediately and are expected to be completed over the next 13 weeks.

The FlexAir™ PAPR System is a compact, lightweight respirator system powered by an onboard battery in a waist-mounted blower, designed and manufactured in the United States. The flexible design permits the use of 2 High Efficiency particulate filters, providing a high level of protection against biological viruses like COVID-19.

“This is war, and President Trump is using the full force of the federal government and the full power of private enterprises like ADG to rapidly mobilize our industrial base to fight the hidden enemy of COVID-19.” said Dr. Peter Navarro, White House Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy. “ADG has stepped up with lightning speed, and their willingness to help meet the urgent need for powered respirators will save American lives. This crisis has shown that maintaining and supporting a strong U.S. manufacturing base is of critical importance to our nation’s economic security and national defense.”

Patrick Callahan, CEO of AirBoss Defense Group said, “ADG is honored to apply our engineering and manufacturing capabilities towards protecting the lives of front-line medical professionals and first responders. FlexAirÔ PAPR systems are designed to provide caregivers ultimate protection against biological threats, including COVID-19, enhancing the life-saving capabilities of our dedicated health care workers. The entire company is completely focused on delivering these products on an accelerated timeline, to Federal, state and local authorities as well directly to frontline health care professionals. As our products are manufactured in the United States, we are prepared to quickly provide lifesaving products as the need for protective equipment evolves.”

ADG is an umbrella survivability group that provides military, law enforcement, medical providers, industrial providers and first responders with a diverse portfolio of protective equipment that spans the entire survivability spectrum. AirBoss Defense, an ADG brand, is a recognized world leader in rapid deployment negative pressure isolation shelters, medical protection equipment, and personal respiratory protective products. AirBoss Defense’s emergency response and protective equipment is utilized by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Strategic Medical Preparedness, FEMA and CDC infectious disease treatment centers.

In addition, AirBoss Defense provides protective equipment to emergency medical response teams and hospitals in over 1,500 U.S. cities, as well as over 30 countries worldwide. The company successfully responded during the MERS and Ebola outbreaks, by providing critical protective equipment to government and civilian medical customers. The company will continue to engage in the response to the COVID-19 outbreak through the rapid delivery of domestically manufactured personal protection equipment and patient isolation systems to the medical community.

For more information, please visit www.adg.com.

Posted in CBRNE, Contracts, COVID-19 Pandemic, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on AirBoss Defense Group Selected by FEMA to Support the US National COVID-19 Response

Mission Spec Pushes Battlefield Medicine In New Direction

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

Mission Spec, LLC (KS) is revealing their latest answer to the battlefield medicine question. Past customers will recognize the acronym EOC™ as Mission Spec’s original plate carrier design that was discontinued in December 2017 and replaced with EC2™. The company has decided to re-designate it from Essentials Only Carrier™ to Essential Oils Carrier™.

Innovation like this will allow combat and law enforcement life savers quick and ready access to a myriad of potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial solutions. Some suspect that these types of extracts could potentially replace broad spectrum antibiotics such as the Levofloxacin (500mg) or Moxifloxacin (400mg) (TCCC recommendation for oral antibiotics) commonly found in “Combat Pill Packs”. However, it is not intended as a replacement for intramuscularly (IM) injected or intravenously (IV) infused drugs such as Cefotan/cefotetan (2 grams [IV or IM] once every 12 hours) or Invanz/ertapenem (1 gram [IV or IM] once every 24 hours).

Future associated products include a MOLLE compatible, crush proof, coconut oil (or other carrier oil) dispenser pouch. This will allow for easy field-dilution by medical personnel. Projected availability for Q3/2020.

The Essential Oils Carrier does come pretreated with lavender to promote a calm atmosphere for both the medical personnel and patient during combat operations.

www.MissionSpec.com

Posted in Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on Mission Spec Pushes Battlefield Medicine In New Direction

Mystery Ranch Contributes to COVID-19 Fight with Mystery Masks

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020

MYSTERY RANCH is proud to share that with the help of local manufactures, we have come together as a community to provide support to our medical facility during these trying times. Utilizing fabric already available by MYSTERY RANCH, a soft, antimicrobial, breathable and most of all, available resource, and along with feedback from the staff at Bozeman Health Deaconess the team at MYSTERY RANCH has begun work to provide quality protection for our friends and neighbors on the front line of this pandemic. To date, the community has provided over 250 units to the hospital, with daily deliveries as long as demand continues. The pattern is available online for anyone with a sewing machine at home and is interested in participating.

Posted in Advertiser, COVID-19 Pandemic, Medical | Comments Off on Mystery Ranch Contributes to COVID-19 Fight with Mystery Masks

Gerber Technology Creates PPE Task Force Resource Page

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020

Gerber Technology, the makers of Gerber cutters used by the textile industry, has created a resource page for companies wishing to transition their production line to manufacture medical PPE. It includes Patterns, Markers and Tech Packs. A special thanks to On Point Manufacturing for providing many of the Tech Packs.

Updated regularly, you can access it at sites.google.com/gerbertechnology.com/gerbertaskforce/home.

Posted in Industry, Materials, Medical | Comments Off on Gerber Technology Creates PPE Task Force Resource Page

Now is the Time for the US to Prepare for the Next Medical Threat

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020

We are currently engaged in a war with an invisible enemy, the COVID-19 virus. While it’s certain, that given enough time, we’ll defeat this challenge like others before it. A pandemic, “the big one,” has been looming for decades, with each year’s new virus making many wonder if this is “it.” But these small emergencies still haven’t been enough. Even the Ebola epidemic which rocked Africa during the last decade haven’t made the cut as the wake up call for us to prepare ourselves adequately for emerging medical disasters.

The Food and Drug Administration has created a system designed for incremental innovation, with lots of oversight to ensure medical materials are safe for use. This is fine for normal situations, but when confronted by a health emergency, we find these processes too slow to affect the course of the threat.

While Congress is in the mood to appropriate money to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the perfect time for them to work with the Executive Branch to establish a couple of organizations to prepare this nation to face future biological threats.

The first looks at long-term development of innovative technologies. A model already exists within the US government; the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is a DoD organization charged to make pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies for national security.

What we need is a Medical Advanced Research Project Agency, or MARPA, which would be under the Food and Drug Administration and work to incentivize the biotech industry to create breakthrough technologies for the public health.

Let me put aside any fear such a new capability will create duplicative efforts. For instance, the Intelligence Community has their own version, called IARPA. Granted, DARPA does already look at both medical and intelligence innovation, but their efforts are based laser-like, on defense requirements. Instead, MARPA would focus entirely on bio-tech, solving the unsolvable and curing the incurable. Things like innovative treatments, immunizations, and devices.

MARPA must be located in a city with a great deal of medical innovation such as Cleveland, Ohio with its Case Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic.

Establishment of MARPA takes care of long-term development. To aid in the transition of promising commercial technologies and quickly identify novel solutions to near-term health issues, a MEDWERX organization is needed. Consider the US Special Operations Command’s SOFWERX organization as a model or the Air Force’s AFWERX. These technology accelerators promote collaboration between government and industry, embracing mid-tier acquisition rules to rapidly identify, assess and field solutions.

MEDWERX could start out as a DoD organization located at somewhere like San Antonio, Texas, home of the US Army Medical Command and San Antonio Military Medical Center. Even if DoD were to stand up such a unit, FDA requires their own as well. While the defense version could concentrate on this current crisis, the FDA version could be created.

A means to provide rapid access to innovation is crucial. FDA’s current certification system is slow, expensive and difficult to maneuver. Smaller companies find it all but impossible to introduce new products and materials to the healthcare community. FDA desperately needs a way to speed up the identification of short-notice requirements to industry and conversely, solicit solutions.

These proposals may not be cheap, but the future only promises more pandemics and more unforeseen medical emergencies. We need to be ready. By creating new organizations focused specifically on bio-technology, we can “book-end” the day-to-day efforts of the FDA with both short-term solutions and long-term development.

Posted in COVID-19 Pandemic, Medical | Comments Off on Now is the Time for the US to Prepare for the Next Medical Threat