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Illustration of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) "Superbug" Bacteria
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The Threat of Antibiotic ResistanceAntibiotic resistance—when pathogenic germs (bacteria, fungi) develop the ability to defeat the antibiotics designed to kill them—is one of the greatest global health challenges of modern time.
Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health concern, and its growing prevalence has been a cause of alarm for organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. Spectrum Medical proposes that its optimized UVC phototherapy platform, Surgical Site Light (SSL), can disrupt the current standards of care for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi cause an estimated 2.8 million infections and nearly 36,000 deaths annually. |
Spectrum Medical's SSL™
The Game-Changing Solution to Antibiotic Resistance
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SSL™ is an innovative and cost-effective solution to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
By providing an effective tool for the prevention and treatment of chronic, non-healing wounds and other types of wound infections, SSL is designed to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. The widespread use of SSL has the potential to save billions of dollars and promote better quality of life for patients and reduce the global burden of chronic infections and their impact on public health. |
SSL is an easy-to-use, cost-effective tool for the prevention and treatment of surgical site infections and chronically infected, non-healing wounds, including those containing antibiotic-resistant pathogens." |
Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019
Chronic Wounds
A Growing Threat to Public Health and Antibiotic Efficacy
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Antibiotic-resistant chronic wounds are increasing globally each year. Chronic wounds are a significant burden on the healthcare systems, with over 8 million patients suffering from wounds that do not heal within 90 days. They cause 1.2 million deaths and incur healthcare costs of $35 billion, according to a January 2022 report in The Lancet. These wounds are frequently colonized with multiple pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant species, making treatment increasingly difficult. The presence of a biofilm also makes topical antibiotics less effective. Studies have shown that precisely tuned UVC phototherapy, with or without antibiotics, can effectively treat biofilm-containing infections and inactivate bacteria, viruses, and fungi. SSL can facilitate the healing of chronic wounds, increase fibroblast activity, and accelerate wound healing. |
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Phototherapy as an Infection Fighting Tool
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UVC phototherapy has been shown to be effective in vitro in inactivating pathogens by disrupting their DNA and/or cytoplasmic proteins. SSL takes advantage of the selective absorption of UVC light by pathogens over host cells, leading to pathogen death. SSL has been successfully used to treat various pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
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Mechanism of DNA Disruption in Pathogens
Spectrum Medical’s SSL Technology
Precision Phototherapy for Chronic, Non-Healing Wounds
Until now, clinicians had to wait for up to 72 hours for microbiology lab results to determine the most suitable antibiotic treatment. Today, there is a better way to treat wound infections immediately and effectively. The SSL™ can safely decontaminate all wounds in minutes."
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Spectrum Medical Technology’s patented SSL platform is a promising solution to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. This proven cutting-edge technology safely uses specific wavelengths of light to selectively target and destroy harmful pathogens. By stimulating fibroblast activity, this light therapy enhances the body’s own healing mechanisms and accelerates wound repair. Unlike traditional antibiotics, phototherapy is effective when the vascular supply to the wound is compromised. One application of SSL is in the treatment chronically infected, non-healing wounds. By delivering light energy directly to the affected area, SSL can directly immobilize bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pathogens to promote healing. |
Compared to traditional antibiotics, SSL offers several advantages:
Immediately effective against multiple pathogens simultaneously with one application. Does not contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance, since it targets bacteria through a completely different mechanism. Enhances wound healing reducing morbidity and mortality Improves quality of life and reduces healthcare costs globally, benefiting millions of patients and healthcare systems alike Advanced LED technology: power, environment, low maintenance Designed for clinical applications: hospitals, doctor’s offices, visiting nurses, field hospitals and military hospitals |
SSL’s Precisely Tuned UVC Phototherapy
The “sweet spot”: 235nm UVC phototherapy platform for clinical applications
The “sweet spot”: 235nm UVC phototherapy platform for clinical applications
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SSL Technology to Combat Wound Infections
Simple. Safe. Efficient.
The UVC technology of our SSL platform reduces wound infections by administering an effective and controlled dose of phototherapy. This reduces reliance on antibiotics and associated risks such as allergic reactions and the development of antibiotic resistance.
The SSL device from Spectrum Medical, has two components: a disposable, hollow ring that is placed on the patient around a chronic wound or before incision and a sterilizable removable cover that houses the light-emitting diodes. The device provides localized pathogen-destroying light energy while preserving the surrounding normal cell function.
The SSL device from Spectrum Medical, has two components: a disposable, hollow ring that is placed on the patient around a chronic wound or before incision and a sterilizable removable cover that houses the light-emitting diodes. The device provides localized pathogen-destroying light energy while preserving the surrounding normal cell function.
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Spectrum Medical’s phototherapy platform is a cost-effective, unique, and therapeutically tested device that will reduce patient morbidity and mortality while saving hospitals and healthcare systems billions of dollars annually. |
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In animal testing the SSL UVC phototherapy has been shown to provide an 8-fold reduction in bacterial count. Development is currently underway for optimizing the device for effectiveness against a range of specific antibiotic-resistant pathogens while prospering it for human clinical trials.
The SSL platform is a promising new approach to combating antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes. By harnessing the power of light, we can reduce the reliance on traditional antibiotics and pave the way for a more sustainable future in healthcare.