innovative disinfection technology, two "germ-killing robots" were
deployed from the US to the JFK Hospital and ELWA Hospital both in
Monrovia, Republic of Liberia, both hotspots of the Ebola disease
outbreak.
The robots, technically known as TRU-D SmartUVC, were used to
disinfect health care environments where Ebola patients are being
treated. Good Health Weekly gathered that TRU-D is the only portable
UV disinfection device on the market with Sensor360 technology, which
calculates the time needed to react to room variables such as size,
geometry, surface reflectivity and the amount and location of
equipment in the room and effectively deliver a lethal dose of UV-C
light during a single cycle from a single, central location in the
room.
Ultraviolet light
"It works by generating ultraviolet light energy that modifies the DNA
structure of viral pathogens, like Ebola, so that they cannot
reproduce. Viruses that cannot reproduce cannot colonise and harm
patients," the inventor, a tropical disease expert and medical
anthropologist Dr. Jeffery L. Deal noted in an interview.
Deal and his colleague, Chuck Dunn, President and CEO of TRU-D LLC,
respectively, spoke about the importance of TRU-D to environmental
disinfection in
"TRU-D has been validated by more than 10 studies to be 99.99 percent
effective in eliminating the most common pathogens that can use health
care-associated infections.
After deploying germ-killing robots to Liberia to aid in battle
against the Ebola Virus Disease, TRU-D SmartUVC inventor traveled to
the Ebola hotspots with UV disinfection devices
TRU-D guarantees a pathogen-free environment for patients and health
care staff. Deal, a Fellow in the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine
and Hygiene, has been training hospital staff to operate the devices
in a number of hospital environments and monitor progress for
successful disinfection.
* TRU-D SmartUVC ultraviolet disinfection device on display
"We developed TRU-D SmartUVC technology to combat the devastating
effects ofhospital acquired infections," Deal said.
"Unlike many diseases, Ebola strikes hospital workers more than any
other group, making it the ultimate hospital acquired infection."
With TRU-D, health care leaders in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and
Saudi Arabia are eliminating pathogens like Ebola, Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome, MERS, influenza, norovirus, Clostridium
difficile, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, etc., in
all types of health care settings, including isolation wards, patient
rooms, operating rooms, surgical suites, intensive care units,
emergency rooms, public areas and ambulances.
"We know through extensive CDC-funded research specific to TRU-D
conducted by thought leaders in epidemiology and infection prevention
that TRU-D is effective at eliminating anypathogen by delivering a
precisely measured UVC dose.
"As soon as we knew we could aid struggling hospitals in Liberia, our
team came together and formulated a plan to get TRU-D on the ground.
More than 200 TRU-Ds have been deployed to disinfect hospitals across
the U.S. and internationally.
Significance
Between 10 and 15 percent of Ebola cases have been among health care
workers. While most of this stems from contact with the patient,
concerns exist that the physical environment can retain active
microbes and be a risk. This device is used in the US to eliminate the
organisms that may still reside on the walls, knobs, rails or any
other exposed surface in health care settings. The robotic technology
is capable of making the Liberian hospitals safer for the staff and
for new patients.
Development
It was developed by a team of engineers, physicians and industrial
hygienists with the purpose of decontaminating entire rooms
automatically and eliminating concerns that a contaminated surface was
missed during routine cleaning.
We use an ultra-efficient narrow wavelength called UVC to flood the
room with germicidal energy. UVC dosage is accurately measured and
automatically adapts to kill organisms, even in shadowed areas.
UV disinfection technology and EVD control
This technology is designed to prevent the spread of the disease
transmitted via contaminated surfaces in health care environments and
is not a treatment or a cure. We believe that prevention is the best
medicine.
The U.S. Army tested this particular wavelength against Ebola and
found that the measured dose TRU-D delivers results in incredibly
rapid destruction of the virus with its pathogen-specific dosing
options.. We know it is perfect for use in this critical setting.
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