Steri-Sys

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  Prototype to be adapted with sterilization/desingection system. 30x30cm

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  Bigge prototype sorting dynamic obstacles. SLAM technology.

Inspiration

Currently, hospital care settings face a pressing problem of doctors and nurses experiencing high rates of infections due to exposure to high viral loads (Minder & Peltier 2020). In reducing viral exposure, sterilisation of environments (e.g. ICU and patient rooms) is key. To protect the people who care and cure, the device should work autonomously on sterilization tasks before the hard-working people enter the potentially dangerous environment. In a hospital,we understood the need of moving through narrow spaces, over different surfaces and sorting dynamic obstacles. It occurred to us to use the omnidirectional technology developed by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) as the base of our system, and to leverage this technology to create a sterilising robots in hospital settings. This technology uses conventional wheels instead of omniwheels to they are suitable for sanitary environments (keeping in mind the easy self-sterilizations task). Since the base of the robot provides great flexibility, we imagine further functionalities to be implemented at that base: for example a self-vending medication machine.

For the sterilization, we discussed various approaches like UV light or disinfection spray, e.g. peroxide chloride. However, we decided to go for the third possibility of sterilizing with plasma.

What it does

Autonomous robot for sterilization tasks in ICUs and other required spaces in hospitals. The technology is also suitable for working in other environments (public transport, pavilions, factory, etc). Currently, the robot autonomously navigates with SLAM technology and it is able to sort static and dynamic objects. Tele-operated functions are also available for specific or non-programmed task needed in hospital. It works completely isolated. Thus, it is easy self-disinfection. Capable to navigate through narrow spaces with full manoeuvrability thanks to its omnidirectional movement. This is also an advantage when interacting and sorting dynamic obstacles (as persons). Omnidirectional is the way humans move so it results in a more natural interaction with the robot. The advantage of using UPC's omnidirectional technology in front of traditional omniwheels is that using conventional wheels allow us to carry higher loads, transmit less vibrations and requiring less maintenance. Especially, they have to be cleaned less, which is most important in hygienic hospital environments.

The sterilization by plasma has the advantage of providing a 100% sterilization in a very short time with little energy. However, the device attached to the robot, in charge for sterilization or disinfection tasks will be easy plug-and-play system. It facilitates the task of using the robot for sterilize or just disinfection depending on the needs. During the euvsvirus hackathon, our discussions with experts from different industries and research institutes revealed that UV or disinfectant spray would either not provide the same degree of disinfection or would take far more energy or time. In addition, UV results in a technology that cannot co-exist with people in the same room. The restriction for our technology with plasma is that it can only sterilize the floor. Nevertheless, a study has shown that especially in ICUs the floor is one of the surfaces where the virus is widely distributed (Guo et al. 2020). Hence, it is not a solution to disinfect a ICU completely but it can contribute to this goal. Note that the use-cases of the robot are not limited to be in ICU nor hospitals.

How I built it

The Polytechnic University of Catalonia had already tested and patented the base platform. The platform is a multifunctional base whose functions can be extended by just adding any device on top. For the challenge of COVID-19, we will add a plasma disinfection device at the bottom of the autonomous robot. The plasma at the bottom of the robot sterilizes the floor with electrons and ions.

Challenges I ran into

Aside from robotics experts and designers, the whole device requires continuous work from several domains. The hackathon is a start for bringing together different disciplines and industries. However, more time is needed to develop and co-create the device with particular participation of persons with experience in the processes and routines in hospitals. This is to ensure that the design and implementation of the robot can be as seamless as possible.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

On the technological side, the patent allows us to build a clean and easily maintainable robot. The plasma sterilization does not harm people or living creature in the environment of the robot, because it is only directed to the floor and does not leave toxic residuals. This makes a difference to other approaches: UV disinfection robots can cause dangerous injuries when people or living organisms are accidentally exposed to it; an ozone disinfection robot leaves ozone in the air, which requires time to exit the room; a disinfection spray robot needs a source of disinfection spray. The smart detail of the plasma technology is that the robot only needs to be feeded by electrical energy. In the case of our approach, a portable battery would suffice.

What's next for Steri-Sys

Next Steps: We want to equip a prototype with the plasma sterilization device We need to test the sterilization quality in a laboratory. We have to test the prototype within hospital settings. A technology only works in relation to its social-material environment. We need to understand the needs and desires of cleaning personnell, nurses, medicals better to co-develop a device with them. Finding funding to create a more advanced prototype

References

Guo et al. (2020): Aerosol and Surface Distribution of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Hospital Wards, Wuhan, China, 2020. Retrieved 26th April 2020 from: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/7/20-0885_article

Minder, R. & Peltier, E. (2020): Virus Knocks Thousands of Health Workers Out of Action in Europe. Retrieved 26th April 2020 from: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/world/europe/coronavirus-europe-covid-19.html

Built With

• hardware
• health
• icu
• mechanical
• robot
• software
• sterilization