SATT Nord and Aurora have signed an exclusive license agreement for the use of Plasster technology, a cold plasma sterilization device.
There are four main processes for sterilizing medical devices:
• by ionizing radiation (gamma rays)
• by ethylene oxide treatment (low pressure)
• by hydrogen peroxide (low pressure)
• by saturated steam under pressure (autoclave)
Unfortunately, these sterilization methods damage many innovative medical devices made of materials such as biopolymers, electronics, optics, textiles, etc.
Furthermore, three-quarters of endoscopes used today cannot be sterilized in hospitals due to their complex shapes, which causes a large number of nosocomial infections.
Plasster technology is the result of collaboration between:
• CRITT-MDTS (research and expertise center specializing in materials, coatings, and surface treatments) led by Jean-Marc POPOT
• the "Technological Developments and Industrial Interfaces" team led by Marie-Paule Gelle within the EA 4691 "BIOS" laboratory at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, headed by Sophie C. GANGLOFF
• the company AURORA, led by Jan LAARMAN and Thomas PARIAS
This collaboration has led to the development of several generations of prototypes using air plasma terminal sterilization technology. This technology allows medical devices to be sterilized in their final packaging.
The only sterilizing agent is a plasma of air gases (oxygen, argon, or nitrogen). This technology does not generate ozone or hydrogen peroxide.
It offers numerous advantages:
• The sterilizing agent is harmless to staff and the environment;
• Short cycle time (60 minutes);
• Low energy consumption, which preserves materials
• High penetration power in long, narrow lumens, which opens up prospects for improved health and safety in the use of endoscopes.
Aurora, incubated at Eurasanté at Lille University Hospital, has set itself the task of industrializing and marketing a whole range of cold plasma sterilizers.
"Thanks to SATT Nord, we were able to gain the trust of the patent owners to secure intellectual property rights and begin our efforts with venture capital funds," emphasizes Jan Laarman, CEO of Aurora. "We are counting on the same support from SATT for the rest of our innovation strategy."