Medical protective equipment against corona is still lacking. A new disinfection process developed in Freising could help.
Freising - Rescue workers with corona protective equipment still have to keep up. There are still major bottlenecks in the supply of medical FFP3 masks. A new disinfection process that was co-developed at the Fraunhofer IVV in Freising could help. The BRK is already testing it - with success.
As part of a collaborative project that also involved industry and civil protection, the Fraunhofer IVV examined the effectiveness of plasma processes against various microorganisms and determined the optimal settings. The advantage of the technology: In contrast to conventional, chemical disinfection methods, no hazardous substances are used.
Technology was developed under the impression of Ebola
"The system works with ambient air," explains Peter Muranyi from Fraunhofer IVV. "The plasma process is also more reliable when treating all surfaces evenly." The time factor is also relevant. "Chemicals for room disinfection, such as formaldehyde solutions, often have to work for several hours," says Muranyi. "In pandemic times, however, it is important that vehicles, protective equipment or rooms are reprocessed much faster."
The technology was developed for use in the disaster area under the impact of the Ebola epidemic that broke out in West Africa in 2014. Thanks to the close cooperation with emergency services, important practical aspects were taken into account in the development of the technology, emphasizes Muranyi. The mobile device, which essentially consists of a compact generator and a special plasma nozzle, is easy to use at the push of a button and is designed to work for all climate zones on earth. Thanks to optional battery operation, there is no need for an emergency generator. "The disinfection process is controlled with the help of a gas sensor that measures when the corresponding room is sufficiently flooded with plasma and also indicates when the concentration has dissolved so that the room can be entered again."
Masks can be disinfected in 30 minutes
In the meantime, a pilot stand for reprocessing protective equipment has also been set up, in which the plasma system is connected to a cabinet, reports Muranyi. "In this, for example, protective and respiratory masks can be disinfected in 30 minutes, and thus processed up to 2000 pieces a day." The effectiveness against coronaviruses is currently being investigated. One needs to gather more knowledge about material compatibility. "The question is how often masks can be treated like this before they can no longer be used."
The new method for hospitals, medical practices and retirement homes could become a decisive weapon against deadly viruses - wherever there is a high number of sick people - and many surfaces have to be disinfected. The method can also be used without problems in supermarkets and public transport.
Approval could be faster than usual due to the corona
The system has yet to be approved for use as a disinfection process. In this respect, the current pandemic - as macabre as it sounds - is a stroke of luck for science. Not only because the new system is subjected to a stress test under real conditions. "The current situation also helps us to accelerate the development of technologies through the increased willingness to invest and support," says Muranyi. After all, politicians hope that it can still be used in the current pandemic.
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