A UFC Que Choisir study highlights the benefits of anti-dust mite covers and confirms the efficiency of Texaal® Cotton covers

Logo UFC Que ChoisirIn March 2021, the association UFC Que Choisir carried out a comparative study on the following theme: “Anti-dust mite products: the right choice and alternatives to consider“.

UFC Que Choisir, as a consumer protection organization, is an expert, independent and militant association whose aim is to inform and advise consumers objectively through surveys and tests.

This comparative study included tests of various protective devices against dust mite allergens, including anti-dust mite covers. Let’s decipher the positive results obtained by Texaal® Cotton anti-mite covers manufactured by the Laboratoire ProtecSom.

 

The comparative study conducted by UFC Que Choisir therefore looked at several covers on the market: integral anti-mite covers and a standard cover. This analysis focused on the anti-dust mite nature of these products and allowed us to reaffirm the benefits of integral covers on the one hand and to highlight the efficiency of Texaal® Cotton covers on the other. In conclusion of the comparative study, Texaal® Coton covers received an overall rating of 18.9/20.


What makes it so effective? First and foremost, its composition!

Texaal® Cotton anti-dust mite covers are composed of weaved cotton microfibers. 100% cotton, this fabric retains the naturalness, softness, lightness, and strength of a classic cotton sheet. Its exclusive Texaal® weaving process, developed and patented for the Laboratoire ProtecSom, makes it an impenetrable mechanical barrier for dust mite allergens.

This very dense weaving process, in addition to being as effective as coatings, makes the covers more comfortable: the absence of a coating eliminates any plastic noise and rubber sensation.

A real differentiating factor for Texaal® Cotton anti-dust mite covers, which do not alter the comfort of bedding and encourage patient observance.



ProtecSom anti-dust mite covers certified with the Œko-Tex® Standard 100 since 2008!

Since 2008, the Laboratoire ProtecSom has been committed to having all its ProtecSom anti-dust mite covers certified with the Œko-Tex® Standard 100 label every year. But what is the Œko-Tex® Standard 100 label? What is the process for obtaining the Œko-Tex® Standard 100 label? We answer all your questions!


The Œko-Tex® Standard 100 label: what is it?Logo oeko-tex

The Œko-Tex® Standard 100 label is an international, independent testing and certification system for harmful substances in textiles. It certifies that textiles and dyes are non-toxic. A product with the Œko-Tex® Standard 100 label is therefore considered to be free of harmful or toxic substances.




What is the process to be certified with the Œko-Tex® Standard 100?

OptimHal-ProtecSom - Atelier Protexmed
Each component of the ProtecSom dust mite covers is tested and approved: from the raw material to the slider, each element is checked.

To be certified, all our products must satisfy more than 100 scientifically based criteria: essential criteria such as regulated or prohibited substances by a country, or other factors such as skin-friendly pH, color stability… That is to say, each component of the final product, in this case ProtecSom anti-dust mite covers, is tested, and approved. From the raw material to the slider, each element is controlled.

In France, the institute in charge of this certification is the IFTH (French textile and clothing institute). The institute is responsible for carrying out laboratory tests on samples. If the results meet the requirements, the certificate is released and “the applicant commits to guarantee that the products are identical to the tested samples”. The label is valid for one year. An audit of the company then follows, which will be conducted every three years if the label is renewed. Random checks may also be carried out in shops.  


How does this certification take place in the company?

Since 2008, the Laboratoire ProtecSom has been committed to ensuring that all its ProtecSom anti-dust mite covers are certified each year with the Œko-Tex® Standard 100 label: an additional guarantee of quality and confidence for its anti-dust mite covers, which are classified as medical devices and manufactured under ISO 13485:2016 certified processes.

Thus, during the entire manufacturing process of the covers, several key points of the products are checked to be in accordance with the requirements of human ecology. The raw materials, fabrics, zips, sliders, threads, etc. are all rigorously checked. Nothing is left to chance !

In addition, another key variable of the Œko-Tex® Standard 100 label is the product class. In other words, the more the product comes into contact with the skin of the final consumer, and the more sensitive the consumer’s skin is, the higher the requirements in terms of human ecology. For example, our anti-dust mite covers are class 1 products, the class with the highest requirements, i.e., products suitable for the skin of babies and young children.


ProtecSom anti-dust mite covers, as Œko-Tex® class 1 Standard 100 labelled medical devices, are therefore real assets in the fight against dust mites while respecting your skin and the skin of your loved ones.


To discover all our Œko-Tex® Standard 100 labelled ranges, visit the ProtecSom online shop!


New ProtecSom dust mite protection mask

Protecsom dust mite protection mask


For patients allergic to dust mite particles, handling bedding is a tricky action. This is why the ProtecSom laboratory has developed the respiratory protection mask.

When changing the bed sheets, many dust mite particles are released in the air. This can cause allergic reactions and lead to symptoms such as coughing, itchy skin, runny nose or breathing problems.

In addition to dust mite protection covers, ProtecSom has developed washable respiratory protection masks that effectively reduce dust mite allergens inhalation.


New dust mite protection mask : quality, comfort and safety made in France


Manufactured in France, ProtecSom dust mite protection masks are made of Evolon® “EVO 80 S2” monolayer fabric that provides excellent filtration (3µm particles: > 90.8%), while maintaining high breathability (air permeability > 204 L.m².S-1 for a depression of 100 Pa).

Due to its many microfilaments, the Evolon® fabric is very resistant. The dust mite mask can indeed be washed up to 20 times without any loss of quality.

Thanks to its permeability and its filtration properties, this textile is validated by the DGA laboratories (French General Directorate of Armament) and is certified OekoTex 100, which guarantees the absence of toxic substances.

 

Dust mite mask    ProtecSom dust mite protection mask 

An effective solution in addition to the ProtecSom dust mite covers


ProtecSom offers different ranges of medical devices dedicated to people allergic to dust mites. ProtecSom products fit all needs and budgets.

Learn more about ProtecSom dust mite covers Texaal® Cotton, Texaal® Polyester, Noxaalon® and Noxaalon® Bamboo ranges on the ProtecSom online shop.




For any questions related to our dust mite medical devices, please, contact us via the online form or by phone at +33233887094.

Following its US one, DigitHal® gets its Canadian patent

After its US patent issued in May, the medical technology DigitHal® gets its Canadian patent on August 31.


DigitHal-chambre-inhalation-


Resulting from OptimHal’s research, DigitHal® is a French technology which makes the TipsHaler® inhalation chamber smart.


This innovative technology optimizes drug delivery through MDIs and inhalation chamber. DigitHal® enables patients and caregivers to accurately see inspiratory and expiratory flows. This information makes it more relevant to take medication and leads to a better patient care.


DigitHal®: towards a better asthma patients’ adherence and management


For patients, DigitHal® provides a digital support: it strengthens their motivation to use the inhalation chamber and guarantees its correct and efficient use. This device aims to respond to the lack of compliance in asthma patients by regularizing the monitoring and by improving the treatment intake.


DigitHal®: towards a better caregiver support for asthma patients


Coupled with an application, DigitHal® is an important data source for the medical profession. Thanks to the information provided by this tool, patients get a better support by caregivers.


DigitHal® allows a precise and stable measurement of inspiratory and expiratory flows without disturbing either the amount of inhaled drug particles or their size.


Another recognition for the DigitHal® project, winner of the 2017 Galien Medstartup Prize


In October 2017, the DigitHal® project received two prestigious awards at the Galien Medstartup Prize ceremony in New York City. The OptimHal laboratory team was indeed awarded for Best collaboration with academia (in partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University) and Best patient engagement technologies (in partnership with the Association Pulmonaire du Québec).


DigitHal récompensé au prix galien medstartup

Issuance of an European patent for OrHal®, the partitioned inhalation mask

OrHal®, the first partitioned mask for inhalation chambers or nebulization, designed by the OptimHal laboratory’s research team in 2015, got the issuance of its European patent on August 19, 2020


OrHal® inhalation mask : a very innovative medical device that improves the effectiveness of aerosol treatments

OrHal®, the first partitioned mask for inhalation chambers or nebulization got the issuance of its European patent


OrHal® mask has been designed to optimize the intake of inhaled treatment by avoiding aerosolized drugs to be trapped by the nose.


Thanks to its flexible and sealed wall between the nose and the mouth, OrHal® avoids nasal inhalation and favors oral inhalation. This helps preventing a large portion of the medicine from being caught by the nasal cilia and mucus and so, improves the pulmonary deposition of aerosolized medicines.


Marketed since 2017 with TipsHaler® inhalation chamber, OrHal® mask is available in pediatric or adult versions and in nebulization version.


The granting of this European patent is a real recognition of the innovative design of this device which significantly improves the performance of inhalation devices.

DigitHal® : the technology which makes the inhalation chamber smart gets a US patent

The US patent for our DigitHal® technology for inhaled treatments was issued this week.


The US patent for our DigitHal® technology for inhaled treatments was issued this week.

 

This is a big step for this project, which specifically addresses non-observance by asthmatic patients, hence allowing better support from caregivers. DigitHal® provides real-time information on the inhalation of the drug and aims to improve the method of patient administration. This new device will in fact offer a more relevant solution for taking and monitoring any inhaled treatment.

 

DigitHal® : two Galien Medstartup rewards

DigitHal® is consequently moving forward on its America journey as this particular project had already been twice rewarded in October 2017 during the prestigious Galien Medstartup award ceremony in New York City. Indeed, our team went back to France after winning the prizes in the categories Best collaboration with an academic partner (in partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University) and Best use of technologies involving patients and their health.

 

The US patent is therefore an important step for this technology made in Normandy.


The DigitHal rewarded : the OptimHal team at the Galien Medstartup award ceremony, New York City.
At the Galien Medstartup award ceremony in New York City

TipsHaler HospitHal® : the new sterilizable inhalation chamber by OptimHal

La nouvelle chambre d’inhalation stérilisable TipsHaler HospitHal par OptimHal


Within the context of the COVID-19 crisis, our team focused on speeding up the production process of the TipsHaler-HospitHal® sterilizable inhalation chamber so that its commercialization could be anticipated. Initially planned for the fall 2020, our teams have done their best so that medical staff and patients could benefit as soon as possible from this new efficient, practical and economical inhalation chamber made in France.



Autoclave sterilization up to 134°


This new device is undoubtedly the first inhalation chamber which accepts autoclave with such a hard cycle protocol. This performance complements the proven qualities and effectiveness of the TipsHaler® inhalation chamber.

This inhalation chamber allowing the most severe sterilization conditions, the constraint of the single patient has disappeared. The autoclave between two patients thus becomes possible up to 10 sterilizations.



TipsHaler HospitHal® in the context of the COVID-19 crisis


Nebulization induces a risk of dissemination of the COVID-19 virus through the droplets emitted within the patient’s environment. The inhalation chamber is therefore the best alternative for the administration of inhaled treatments to hospitalized patients. The need for inhalation chambers has logically greatly increased. Due to its multi-patient capacity, the sterilizable TipsHaler-HospitHal® inhalation chamber offers substantial savings to a healthcare system weakened by the current crisis.



The sterilizable TipsHaler-HospitHal® for fragile patients


The TipsHaler-HospitHal® sterilizable inhalation chamber has also been designed for the benefit of fragile patients, including those with cystic fibrosis. It allows patients to protect themselves from infections by sterilizing the inhalation chamber, both in hospitals and on an ambulatory basis.

Our mobilization and solidarity against COVID-19

Within the evolving context and under the national measures implemented to ensure everyone’s safety in the COVID-19 epidemic, our teams, especially those of production, remain mobilized and united in order to ensure the production of the devices essential for medical staff and patients.


Inhalation chambers for the drug delivery in the context of mechanical ventilation


 

We are facing new and very specific requests for inhalation chambers from hospitals. We aim to respond positively to every case in order to provide our help and our material support to every hospitals departments concerned.


Given the risks associated with nebulizations that can disseminate COVID-19 via droplets emitted in the patient’s environment, inhalation chambers are indeed the best alternative for the administration of inhaled treatments.


Mask production in partnership with Dans Ma Culotte


Within this epidemic context, our teams quickly adapted and mobilized to help caregivers, medical staff and every workers particularly exposed to COVID-19.

We have for instance increased our partnership with the company Dans Ma Culotte which specializes in washable sanitary napkins and which we had been collaborating with since 2014. This production has been changed inside our workshops into the manufacture of masks made from anti-projections tissue, washable and reusable up to 30 times. This system, validated by our R&D team, aims to protect the most exposed people to the virus as much as possible.



 

Anti-mite covers: production and shipping maintained


As confinement can sometimes contributes to the exacerbation of allergics symptoms, our production of anti-mite covers and their shipment are also maintained to meet the needs of allergic patients.


Minimhal® and CombiHaler® : their demonstrated effectiveness presented at the Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation Conference (RF&MV)

Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation Conference banner


The Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation Conference (RF&MV) took place in Berlin from 13 to 15 February. This conference allowed healthcare professionals to update their knowledge in the field of artificial ventilation. This technique is commonly used in intensive care units or at home for long-term treatment 1,2.


Performances noticed by the RF&MV scientific committee

 

For many years, OptimHal-ProtecSom laboratory has carried out research on drug delivery in the context of mechanical ventilation. This research made it possible to develop CombiHaler® and MinimHal® spacers.


A study comparing effectiveness of these spacers to standard equipment used in mechanical ventilation circuits caught the attention of the scientific committee of RF&MV. This study (carried out by Dr. Eckes) was selected to be presented as an e-poster short talk by Dr. Vanlaeys, R&D project manager at OptimHal-ProtecSom laboratory.  


Le Dr Alison Vanlaeys de Protecsom Optimhal à la Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation Conference RF&MV


Alison Vanlaeys de Protecsom Optimhal à la Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation Conference RF&MV


Drug delivery in mechanical ventilation via MinimHal® and CombiHaler® : a proven effectiveness

 

Artificial ventilation is driven by a ventilator connected to the patient by a circuit. This process allows to maintain the patient’s breathing in case of insufficient respiratory capacities. Drugs can be delivered to the patient by different kinds of devices disposed in ventilation circuit (typically a T-piece or a spacer) which allow to connect a pressurized metered dose inhaler or a nebulizer.


This study showed that using CombiHaler® or MinimHal® instead of a T-piece allows to double the salbutamol inhaled dose. These results were reproducible using adult and pediatric respiratory patterns.


CombiHaler® and MinimHal® also stand out for their versatility. These spacers can be used to deliver drugs thanks to a pressurized metered dose inhaler and / or a nebulizer.


Discover the study


Références:

  1. Slutsky AS. History of Mechanical Ventilation. From Vesalius to Ventilator-induced Lung Injury. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;191((10)):1106–15. 10.1164/rccm.201503-0421PP 
  2. Manthous, C., Tobin, MJ. A Primer on Critical Care for Patients and Their Families. 1st issued in 2001; 2017-2018 Update to be posted on www.thoracic.org/patients

A study on improvement of life quality of patients using ProtecSom dust mite covers presented at the World Allergy Congress (WAC)

The World Allergy Congress (WAC), an international conference on allergology, took place in France (Lyon) on December 12th to 14th, 2019. This event allowed many actors in the fight against allergy to update their knowledge on this pathology affecting up to 40% of the worldwide population.1

With more than 15 years of experience in dust mite covers manufacturing, the OptimHal-ProtecSom lab presented a study in the form of poster communication selected by the WAC Scientific Committee. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine and quantify the benefit from the use of dust mite covers on the life quality of allergic patients.

A significant improvement in life quality for patients who use ProtecSom dust mite covers

ProtecSom anti-mite covers are certified medical devices which form a protective barrier preventing the passage of mites thanks to their unique patented weaving process. A declarative study demonstrated the benefit of dust mite covers on the perception of allergy-related symptoms.

This study revealed a significant increase in life quality following the use of the ProtecSom dust mite covers and implementation of complementary measures to control patient’s environment. An improvement in allergy-related symptoms (nasal discharge, cough, eye inflammation, itchy skin and breathing problems) was observed in all age groups asked. The overall symptom reduction was 62%.

Take a look to the study

Références

  1. Pawankar R, Canonica GW, ST Holgate ST, Lockey RF, Blaiss M: The WAO White Book on Allergy (Update. 2013).