KNOXVILLE, TN -- 09/26/07 --
Today, Atmospheric Glow Technologies, Inc.
(OTCBB: AGWT) announced a breakthrough with the use of its proprietary
atmospheric plasma technology to sterilize medical instruments and
devices.
"When fully developed and commercially available, this product could assist
with humanitarian efforts during natural disasters, aid in homeland
security responses and address medical needs in remote regions of the
world," anticipates Scott McDonald, AGT CEO.
AGT has recently demonstrated that its patented technology can sterilize
contaminated medical instruments in the presence of simulated tissue
debris. Challenging the atmospheric plasma sterilizer with this type of
organic load replicates a "worst case scenario" in which a pre-treatment
cleaning process did not remove all surgical debris.
"Being able to destroy all known microorganisms in the presence of organic
debris in simulated-use tests is the goal of any sterilization process,"
said Dr. Kimberly Kelly-Wintenberg, AGT President. "By achieving this
milestone, we believe AGT is a big step closer to initiating the 510 (k)
submission process to seek FDA approval for our plasma sterilizer."
AGT's near-term goal is to deliver to the military a portable medical
sterilizer demonstration unit for testing next August. This effort is
funded through a Department of Defense U.S. Army Medical Research
Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) grant to AGT through a Congressional
appropriation of $1.65M, which is payable to AGT over an eighteen-month
period that began in March 2007.
To meet the needs of far-forward field medics, AGT is working to develop a
lightweight, durable, and lower power apparatus with short cycle times and
minimal consumables. Upon completion, the company's plasma prototype
should be able to sterilize surgical instruments and devices in less than
one hour with 200-300 W plasma power in a 2 ft^3 chamber.
"This unit would be the basis for both larger and smaller sterilizers since
the technology is engineered to be easily scalable," according to Alan
Wintenberg Ph.D., AGT Director of Engineering.
Hinged and serrated surgical instruments, including those wrapped in linen
and cellulose-based material, were contaminated with high numbers of
bacterial endospores and organic debris and then sterilized by AGT's
prototype unit in cycle times less than 60 minutes in length. Unlike many
other sterilization technologies, AGT's atmospheric plasma technology does
not use dangerous chemicals, radiation or high temperatures or pressure and
produces a unique blend of reactive chemicals that neutralize all known
classes of microorganisms without damage to a variety of surrounding
materials.
About USAMRAA
USAMRAA is the contracting element of the U.S. Army Medical Research and
Materiel Command (USAMRMC) and provides support to the Command headquarters
and its worldwide network of laboratories and medical logistics
organizations. USAMRAA also supports the Fort Detrick Garrison and its
military tenant activities, Army-wide projects sponsored by the Army
Surgeon General, and numerous Congressionally mandated programs.
About Atmospheric Glow Technologies, Inc.
AGT is a market driven science and engineering company focused on realizing
the commercial potential of OAUGDP® technology, a proprietary method of
creating plasma chemistry in air at atmospheric pressure. Management
believes that OAUGDP® is an exciting breakthrough technology offering
capabilities that other plasma technologies do not provide. AGT's
technology has been the recipient of numerous federal contracts, grants and
recognition awards. Additional information is available at
http://www.atmosphericglow.com.
Statements in this release that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, words
such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other
factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievement of
events of the company, or events, or timing of events, relating to the
company to differ materially from any future results, performance, or
achievements of the forward-looking statements. The company cannot assure
that it will be able to anticipate or respond timely to the changes, which
could adversely affect its operating results in one or more fiscal
quarters. Results of operations in any past period should not be considered
indicative of results to be expected in future periods. Fluctuations in
operating results may result in fluctuations in the price of the company's
securities.
The information contained in this press release does not necessarily
reflect the position or the policy of the Government and no official
endorsement should be inferred.
Contact:
W. Scott McDonald
CEO
Phone: 865-777-3776 ext. 223
