Researchers develop novel UV mortuary cabinet
01 Sep 2020 01:21:13
Dr Sanjay J Dhoble Dr Nilesh Mahajan Dr Nirupama S Dhoble
Principal Correspondent ;
There are several potential threats of accidental contamination to healthcare workers and other patients and family members receiving the dead body of Covid-19 patient. Even though, standard disinfectants are effective against SARS-CoV-2 but manual disinfection may leave some unexposed area where virus can harbour. Considering all these issues, city-based researchers have come up with novel Ultra Violet (UV) light-based mortuary cabinet that has removed the loopholes. Dr Sanjay Dhoble, Professor of Post Graduate Department of Physics in Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) said, “To avoid the error and extra level of protection UV light can be used to disinfect body surfaces or wrappings. Several studies demonstrated the capability of UV light in destroying viruses, bacteria and fungi. Several family members of SARS-CoV-2 virus have been tested for their susceptibility against UV light.
It was concluded that all are highly susceptible to UV inactivation.” Based on these findings mentioned in the prior arts, innovators Dr Sanjay J Dhoble, Dr Nilesh Mahajan, Professor, Dadasaheb Balpande College of Pharmacy and Dr Nirupama S Dhoble, Department of Chemistry, Sevadal Mahila Mahavidhyalaya have logically come-up with very innovative design of mortuary cabinet. They proposed the mortuary cabinet for disinfection of COVID-19 dead bodies using UV radiation so that it can be handled safely over by health caregivers and family members. Dr Dhoble informed ‘The Hitavada’, “This newly-prepared body sanitizer unit is constructed in stainless steel and equipped with UVC lamp having 200 nm to 280 nm wavelength. UV lights are fixed on upper and lower side of the cabinet.
These lamps are door operated so as to avoid the outside exposure. In this structure a fine net stand stretcher is fixed at for placing the dead body. An On/ Off switch with indicator is provided at the front panel and AC power adapter is provided on the right side of the box. A body can be sanitised after switching on the lights when rightly placed at stand in 15 minutes and can irradiate SARS-CoV-2 virus.” This device has been patented during lockdown period and it is already published in the public domain. Inventors have transferred this technology and prepared this cabinet with the help of M/s Nishad Industries, situated at MIDC, Nandgaon Peth, Amravati. As the innovators earlier discussed the basic objectives and idea with Dr Avinash Gawande, Medical Superintendent at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), he was proactive to bring this in a reality.
It is because of his initiative, the innovators were able to donate the first unit at GMCH. The official handover and demo programme was conducted recently and it was unveiled by the hands of Dr Subhash Chaudhari, Vice-Chancellor, RTMNU; Dr Sajal Mitra, Dean, GMCH; Manoj Balpande, President of Ambe Durga Education Society; Praveen Charde, Principal, Sevadal Mahila Mahavidyalaya and Dr Avinash Gawande. This cabinet is prepared by RTMNU and affiliated colleges Dadasaheb Balpande College of Pharmacy and Sevadal Mahila Mahavidhyalaya. Dr Sajal Mitra suggested for the testing of efficacy of this cabinet against the SARS-CoV-2 on the surface of COVID-19 diseased person’s dead body wrapped in polybag. Dr Avinash Gawande expressed views regarding the usefulness of this mortuary cabinet.