TSO3 Duodenoscope Sterilization Technology to be Featured at the 18th World Federation for Hospital Sterilisation Sciences (WFHSS) Congress in Bonn, Germany

QUEBEC CITY and MYRTLE BEACH, SC, Oct. 3, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - TSO₃ Inc. (TSX: TOS), an innovator in sterilization technology for medical devices in healthcare settings, today announced that Mr. Albert Csapo, BA, Manager, Medical Device Reprocessing Department, Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), the University of British Columbia Hospital (UBCH), and satellites at GLDHCC, ECC, and Endoscopy, shall give a presentation titled "Sterilization of endoscopes and why we chose a low-temperature reprocessing method" on Friday, October 6^th during the 18^th WFHSS Congress in Bonn, Germany. 

Mr. Csapo's presentation will discuss VGH's use of the STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer to sterilize duodenoscopes used in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures and how they have successfully transitioned to full terminal sterilization of their duodenoscopes.

"Since 2009, the reprocessing of endoscopes and the possibility of the transmission of bacterium from patient to patient due to the difficulty in cleaning these scopes have been well documented throughout North America and Europe", stated Mr. Csapo, "The complex design of duodenoscopes used in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) have been linked to numerous outbreaks of the deadly bacteria Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in numerous healthcare facilities.  Out of an abundance of caution, Vancouver General Hospital decided to move to low-temperature sterilization of ERCP scopes and to evaluate an exciting new technology that would allow this level of reprocessing at sites throughout the province of British Columbia."

"We are delighted with the progress made at VGH" stated R.M. (Ric) Rumble, President and CEO of TSO₃.  "Through systematic testing and documentation, we are generating real world evidence that demonstrates that the terminal sterilization of duodenoscopes is not only possible but practical."

TSO₃ expects to make Mr. Csapo's presentation available on its website at www.tso3.com on Friday, October 6, 2017.

About the STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer

The STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer is a low-temperature sterilization system that utilizes the dual-sterilants of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ozone (O₃) to achieve terminal sterilization of heat and moisture sensitive medical devices. Its single pre-programmed cycle can sterilize a large number and wide range of compatible devices, creating a cost-effective sterilization process with error free cycle selection. The device's unique Dynamic Sterilant Delivery System™ automatically adjusts the quantity of injected sterilant based on the load composition, weight, and temperature. This capability removes the guesswork and potential for human error, as there is no need to sort instruments and choose the appropriate cycles as with other machines.

The STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer is the only terminal sterilization method that is FDA cleared to sterilize multi-channeled flexible endoscopes (with a maximum of four channels) of up to 3.5 meters in length, such as video colonoscopes and gastroscopes - an industry first for any medical device sterilization process.

The STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer is also the only cleared low-temperature sterilizer that can process a mixed load consisting of general instruments, single-channel flexible endoscopes, and single or double channel rigid endoscopes in the same cycle with load weights of up to 75 lb.  The ability to run mixed loads significantly reduces labor costs by minimizing the amount of instrument sorting required, while maximizing the device turns (more productivity from increased throughput capacity).  More information about the STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer is available through TSO₃'s website, under the Products section at http://www.tso3.com/en/products/sterizone-vp4/.

About TSO₃

Founded in 1998, TSO₃'s activities encompass the sale, production, maintenance, research, development and licensing of sterilization processes, related consumable supplies and accessories for heat-sensitive medical devices. The Company designs products for sterile processing areas in the hospital environment that offer an advantageous replacement solution to other low-temperature sterilization processes currently used in hospitals. TSO₃ also offers services related to the maintenance of sterilization equipment and compatibility testing of medical devices with such processes.

For more information about TSO₃, visit the Company's website at www.tso3.com.           

The statements in this release and oral statements made by representatives of TSO₃ relating to matters that are not historical facts (including, without limitation, those regarding the timing or outcome of TSO₃'s regulatory filings, revenue, business or operations) are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks, uncertainties and hypotheses, including, but not limited to, the ability of the Company to obtain the required regulatory clearances to market its products, general business and economic conditions, the condition of the financial markets, the ability of TSO₃ to obtain financing on favourable terms and other risks and uncertainties.  Although TSO₃ believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. The complete versions of the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements as well as a description of the relevant assumptions and risk factors likely to affect TSO₃'s actual or projected results are included in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is available on the Company's website. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and TSO₃ does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless expressly required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE TSO3 Inc.