Going Beyond the Smoke: Aerobiotix Showcases Two New Groundbreaking Technologies at AORN to Improve Environmental Safety for Nurses and Patients | Aerobiotix

Going Beyond the Smoke: Aerobiotix Showcases Two New Groundbreaking Technologies at AORN to Improve Environmental Safety for Nurses and Patients

Mar 17, 2022 | News, News and Events

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Air disinfection system is proven to lower risk of infection and combat respiratory illness from exposure to airborne contaminants in operating rooms

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NEW ORLEANS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nurses regularly exposed to poor air quality by simply doing their job now have a reason to breathe easy. Aerobiotix has developed two new technologies to disinfect operating room (OR) air which often includes surgical smoke plume, volatile organic compounds, bacteria and viruses. Aerobiotix is showcasing the Illuvia Sense with real-time data capturing features by deploying more than 20 units to help disinfect the air at the 2022 AORN Global Surgical Conference and Expo. Additionally, nurses can learn more about the AeroCure Vac which is an innovative device protecting patients and hospital staff from airborne dangers arising from aerosol generating procedures.

The environmental risks from contaminated OR air are well documented. Perioperative nurses report twice the incidence of respiratory problems compared to the general population. Surgical smoke plume, bone cement, skin prep solutions, and anesthetic gases can carry volatile organic compounds and other hazardous compounds known to cause cancer if inhaled. Illuvia Sense is the first and only directional flow surgical air disinfection system that improves overall environmental safety in the OR and reduces the risk of surgical site infections.

“We know the risks associated with contaminated OR air for healthcare workers and patients,” said Dr. David Kirschman, Aerobiotix President and CEO. “The most common cause of occupational injury for registered nurses comes from exposure to airborne contaminants, and airborne bacteria is a leading cause of surgical site infections. Our proven technologies reduce those risks and nurses at AORN will get to see it firsthand.”

Eliminating the “Dirty Donut”

Dr. Kirschman is a former neurosurgeon who developed the Illuvia Sense and AeroCure Vac technologies following his own experiences in the OR. Standard operating room ventilation delivers clean air directly over the surgical site. However, these systems leave a ring of contaminated air around the clean air of the surgical table, called the “dirty donut,” which may continue to pose a danger to the patient and staff.

“Any movement in the OR can disrupt contaminants in the dirty donut and scatter them into the surgical site,” explained Dr. Courtney Adams, Aerobiotix VP of Clinical and Medical Affairs. “Anything and anyone passing through the dirty donut can potentially re-expose the surgical site to contaminated air. This includes surgical staff, drapes, instruments, implants, gloves, and other surgical equipment.”

Illuvia Sense

Illuvia Sense helps eliminate the dirty donut using proven ultraviolet germicidal technology, HEPA filtration, and carbon-copper filters to inactivate over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and spores in the air— including SARS-Cov-2. The unit operates quietly and independently without disrupting OR work flows. The FDA registered medical air disinfection device is proven to eliminate microbes throughout the OR and not just the surgical site.

Illuvia Sense is trusted by healthcare facilities around the country and has already protected more than one million major surgical procedures. The Illuvia system has been shown to reduce airborne contamination during surgery by 50-70% in peer reviewed, published and independent studies. The latest generation of the Illuvia system further advances this technology by utilizing an advanced suite of sensors to provide critical real-time intraoperative environmental data to surgical stakeholders.

AeroCure Vac

The AeroCure Vac uses a semi-rigid vacuum tube which is placed near the patient during Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs). AGPs include Endotracheal intubation and extubation, oral and pharyngeal procedures, bronchoscopy, pulmonary function testing, and respiratory treatments and suctioning. Data shows healthcare workers who regularly perform AGPs have three times the risk of clinically significant respiratory infections. The AeroCure Vac has also been shown to reduce total particles generated during electrocautery by 97% at periphery of room, reduce the concentration of bioaerosols at distances of 4-6 inches, and reduce VOC levels (ppm) generated during the mixing of bone cement at distances of 3-14 inches away from the source, with a 97% reduction observed at 3 inches.

AeroCure Vac evacuates contaminated air from near the source. The unique combination of technologies not only pulls particles away from patients and medical staff, but goes a step further in mitigating the risk by subjecting those particles to UV light. The treated air is then returned to the room at floor level. By collecting and eliminating bacteria and viruses carried via aerosols, the AeroCure Vac creates a better protected environment for patients and staff. Nurses at AORN can watch this groundbreaking technology first hand at booth #7349.

AORN Clean Air Sponsor

As the Clean Air Sponsor of AORN Expo 2022, Aerobiotix has placed Illuvia Sense units throughout meeting rooms to provide enhanced safety for attendees. When you see an Illuvia Sense, you can be assured that it is continuously decontaminating the air you are breathing, while capturing vital air quality data.

A live interactive monitor will capture and display data from our units throughout the exhibit hall, and reveal the Expo Hall air quality in real time. Each Illuvia Sense unit is also marked with a QR code which attendees can scan, directing them to a complimentary air quality assessment they can conduct at their healthcare facility.

“When deployed in an OR setting, the real-time data monitoring allows hospitals to receive actionable reports on perioperative environmental quality and take a proactive approach to driving improvements,” said Melissa Gietzen, Aerobiotix VP of Global Marketing. “We want to partner with hospital systems around the world to elevate their environment and take the conversation beyond smoke.”

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Aerobiotix will deploy the Illuvia Sense units throughout the Expo Hall for all five days of AORN 2022. In addition, attendees and media can learn more about the dangers of contaminated OR air and solutions at specific events within the conference listed below.

Monday, 3/21/22 – Tuesday, 3/22/22 by appointment at booth #7349
Media availability with Aerobiotix CEO Dr. David Kirschman and VP Clinical and Medical Affairs Dr. Courtney Adams.
Monday, 3/21/22, 11:30am-12:00pm, Innovation Theater at booth #7953
David Kirschman, MD, founder and CEO of Aerobiotix and inventor of the Illuvia system, will be co-presenting with Amber Woods, Sr. Perioperative Practice Specialist, on “OR Air Quality Management and Data Analysis.”
Monday, 3/21/22, 10:15am, 11:00am, 1:15pm, 2:00pm, 2:45pm, at booth #7349
Continuing education course: “Infection Prevention – The New Frontier: Measuring the Impact of Air Quality in the Operating Room on Patients and Staff” with Judy Pins, MHRD, MBA, BSN, RN
Tuesday, 3/22/22, 12:00pm-12:30pm, Innovation Theater at booth #7953
David Kirschman, MD, founder and CEO of Aerobiotix and inventor of the Illuvia system, will be co-presenting with Amber Woods, Sr. Perioperative Practice Specialist, on “OR Air Quality Management and Data Analysis.”
Tuesday, 3/22/22, 9:00am, 9:45am, 10:30am, 11:15am, at booth #7349
Continuing education course: “Infection Prevention – The New Frontier: Measuring the Impact of Air Quality in the Operating Room on Patients and Staff” with Judy Pins, MHRD, MBA, BSN, RN

About Aerobiotix

Aerobiotix is a pioneer in air quality management solutions for healthcare, assisted living, and schools. Its medical-grade products use ultraviolet light, HEPA filters, and proprietary filtration to remove 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, VOCs, and more. This proven technology is quiet, safe, and designed to run continuously in occupied rooms to reduce risk of infections and to improve environmental safety. Equipped with integrated tracking, Aerobiotix solutions help facilities worldwide measure and proactively manage air quality. Learn more at www.aerobiotix.com.

Contacts
Amit Chitre, Communications Manager
C: 585.414.3199
amit@r3communications.pro

JASON-TODD-VP-SALES-AEROBIOTIX

JASON TODD

Sr. Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing

Jason leads our global sales team and brings over 18 years of Medical Device experience to Aerobiotix. Jason has led top performing National and Regional Sales teams, selling disruptive technology in the Cardiovascular space with Getinge, Surgical Robotics at Hansen Medical and most recently in the Biologics space with Axogen. Jason received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Indianapolis.

MELISSA-GIETZEN-VP-GLOBAL-MARKETING-AEROBIOTIX

MELISSA GIETZEN, MBA

Vice President of Global Marketing

Melissa Gietzen, MBA is a highly skilled strategic marketing professional with over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry. She has significant expertise in strategic planning, capital budgeting, service improvement projects, and creating strong successful brands in the orthopedic, cardiac & ophthalmology markets. Melissa holds a undergraduate degree in Management and Organization Development and a masters degree in Business Administration.

DAVID KIRSCHMAN, M.D. President and CEO

DAVID KIRSCHMAN, M.D.

President and CEO

The founder and CEO is David Kirschman, M.D., a former physician with extensive experience as CEO, Director, Chief Scientific Officer and operator in the orthopedic and biologic medical device space. Dr. Kirschman holds 55 issued US Patents for a wide range of medical devices. He received his BS in Biological Science cum laude from Colorado State University and M.D. from University of Colorado School of Medicine.

GREGORY CARROLL PH.D. Director Scientific Affairs

GREGORY CARROLL PH.D.

Director Scientific Affairs

Dr. Carroll has extensive experience in ultraviolet and photonic science. Prior to joining Aerobiotix, he led the research and development group at Sunstar Engineering. He has a Ph.D. in chemistry from Columbia University and did his postdoctoral fellowship under Nobel laureate Prof. Ben Feringa at the University of Groningen, Netherlands, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

TONY EMBREE Chief Commercial Officer

TONY EMBREE

Chief Commercial Officer

Tony leads our global sales organization and commercialization strategy. Prior joining Aerobiotix, he was Senior Manager of Strategy at Stryker. He has led sales and marketing teams in multiple organizations including SurgiCount Medical, part of Patient Safety Technologies, INC (PSTX) as it expanded from 8 hospitals in 2008 to user base of 330 hospitals at time of acquisition in 2013.

COURTNEY ADAMS, Ph.D. VP of Clinical and Medical Affairs

COURTNEY ADAMS, Ph.D.

VP of Clinical and Medical Affairs

Dr. Adams leads our global clinical research and education initiatives as well as developing key opinion leaders to support our clinical mission. Prior to joining Aerobiotix, she held leading research and medical affairs roles at Biogen, Axogen, and MedPace. Dr. Adams holds Ph.D. in Pharmacology from University of Cincinnati.

ANTHONY DEFALCO Vice President of Engineering

ANTHONY DEFALCO

Vice President of Engineering

Anthony is a topflight medical device product development engineer and leader, experienced in the development and implementation of orthopedic, environmental, and electromechanical systems.

NATHAN UTZ Vice President of Client Services

NATHAN UTZ

Vice President of Strategic Accounts

Nathan brings a high level of commitment to servicing and building client relations. Nathan has previously held leadership roles in the medical device industry.

MICHAEL SCHMITZ Chief Financial Officer

MICHAEL SCHMITZ

Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Schmitz is a highly experienced financial practitioner with financial leadership roles in diverse industries including manufacturing and technology as well as a background in public accounting. He received his BS in accounting, cum laude, from the Miami University of Ohio. Mr. Schmitz is a certified public accountant and certified management accountant.