Bug-killing robots to help with Ebola outbreak in Liberia

Date: Aug-21-2014 Two robots designed to deliver lethal doses of ultraviolet light that modify the DNA

structure of superbugs so they can no longer reproduce and harm patients are to be deployed in

Liberian hospitals caring for patients with Ebola virus disease.

The Republic of Liberia is one of four countries in West Africa affected by the Ebola outbreak

which, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), started in Guinea in December 2013

before spreading to neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone, and then to Nigeria. WHO says over

1,200 people in the four countries have died in the outbreak.

Ebola virus disease is a hemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Ebola virus. The virus

is highly contagious, but only spreads through contact with blood and other bodily fluids of

infected people.

Robots calculate and deliver lethal dose of UV-C

The two 5' 5" machines - known as TRU-D SmartUVC - use a unique technology called

Sensor360 to calculate the time needed to react to the particular features of a room. For

instance, the technology takes into account the size, shape, surface reflectivity, the amount of

equipment in the room and where it is situated.

The TRU-D (Total Room Ultraviolet Disinfector) device delivers a single, lethal cycle of UV-C light from the middle of the room.
Image credit: PRNewsFoto/TRU-D

Once it has calculated these room paramaters, the TRU-D (Total Room Ultraviolet Disinfector)

device delivers a single, lethal cycle of UV-C light from the middle of the room.

The deadly dose of UV-C light alters the DNA of viruses like Ebola so they cannot replicate

and carry on spreading and colonizing patients.

Nearly a dozen validation studies show that TRU-D is 99.99% effective in eliminating the most

common pathogens that cause health care associated infections.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasize that thorough disinfection

and safe handling of potentially contaminated materials is extremely important in hospitals

treating Ebola patients. Traces of the virus can remain in blood, sweat, vomit, feces and other

bodily secretions and potentially infect anyone coming into contact with them.

Dozens of disease specialists from the CDC are already in Liberia, helping the authorities

contain one of the largest outbreaks of Ebola in history.

Disinfecting robots to be deployed in two hospitals in Monrovia, capital of Liberia

TRU-D is the brainchild of Dr. Jeffery L. Deal, Fellow of the Royal Society of Tropical

Medicine and Hygiene. Dr. Deal is accompanying the two devices to Liberia and will teach hospital

staff how to operate them. The two machines will be deployed in JFK Hospital and ELWA Hospital in

the capital, Monrovia. Dr. Deal explains:

"We developed TRU-D SmartUVC technology to combat the devastating effects of hospital acquired

infections. Unlike many diseases, Ebola strikes hospital workers more than any other group,

making it the ultimate hospital acquired infection."

Both machines have recently taken part in a 28-month CDC-funded study - the Duke University

Prevention Epicenter Program - to evaluate real-world applications of UV-C disinfection.

TRU-D technology is already being used in all types of health care settings in the US, Canada,

the UK and Saudi Arabia to eradicate a range of pathogens, including not only Ebola but

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, carbapenem-resistant

Enterobacteriaceae, Middle East respiratory syndrome, influenza, norovirus,

Clostridium difficile, and others.

In July 2013, Medical News Today learned of a UK study published in the Journal

of Hospital Infection that found TRU-D significantly reduced hospital

superbugs.

Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

View all articles written by Catharine, or follow her on:

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.