Proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
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Optical technologies in agriculture:
LIGHT AS A TOOL
The multiple uses that light has in the technological field, the base pillar that is light in agriculture, and the need to increase production and productivity in the globalized world in which we live, places light as a key tool in development of new agricultural techniques.
UV LIGHT C: A POWERFUL WEAPON AGAINST BIOTERRORISM
Reading the word bioterrorism can make us think of American movies where the greatest catastrophes occur so that the hero on duty can solve it and everything returns to normal, learning a valuable lesson along the way. But, bioterrorism is not science fiction, it exists and the population has already suffered more than one attack.
Hotels are stained with Ultraviolet
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the tourism sector has been one of the major victims. With the arrival of vaccines, the decrease in infections has been clear, which has allowed a relaxation of the harsh restrictions, including the possibility of traveling and the opening of hotels to receive these tourists. For this reason, it is time for the hospitality sector to continue with even more force, betting on the improvement of sanitary measures in its facilities, thus allowing the user to regain the confidence of the user and also strengthen the tranquillity of the workers.
Customers no longer only look at the location, price, facilities, etc., they also focus their attention, as an important service within their requirements, on the hygiene and safety measures that hotels offer. Disinfection with ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light is a highly effective, fast, safe, and cheap tool that provides the greater peace of mind that tourists are looking for.
The effectiveness of UV-C disinfection has been known for more than 100 years and is widely used in sone of the most demanding sectors in terms of disinfection, such as hospitals. UV-C light in adequate doses can inactivate rates greater than 99.9% of the pathogens present both on surfaces and in the air, including, of course, SARS-COV2, responsible for COVID-19. This type of disinfection, in combination with traditional cleaning, represents a significant advance in terms of sanitizing spaces since it reaches places where traditional disinfection is difficult, such as air, and counteracts human errors when it comes performing a correct cleaning protocol.
EFFICIENCY AND EFFICIENCY in a single technology
UV-C radiation is highly effective since there are no pathogens resistant to it, as there are against other types of disinfectants (bleaches, alcohols, chlorine ...), it is also a disinfection solution that integrates perfectly into flows of existing work and even streamlines them if they replace other disinfection methods such as ozone generators or electrostatic sprayers (they spray disinfectants in small electrically charged drops) since these systems require preparation by the operator (masks, protective suit ... ) and waiting for hours while the chemicals are dried or the rooms are ventilated to avoid exposing customers to toxic gases, on the other hand with UV-C disinfection the room is ready in a few minutes since the staff so You just have to press a button, leave the room and in less than 10 minutes the disinfection will have been carried out, during which time the cleaning staff may be doing other work activities. UV-C equipment allows you to give that extra sanitation, without moving away from the total cleaning times before the pandemic.A PROFITABLE INVESTMENT
It is a technology that by itself is cheap, since it does not require any recurring cost, at most the replacement of lamps that are usually carried out every 2-4 years, and its energy requirement is similar to the power consumed by a hairdryer; but in addition, compared to other types of disinfection such as chemical sprays, it represents a great saving since it does not require consumables, such as the equipment necessary for the operator (PPE), which are usually single-use, or the chemical products to be sprayed.In addition, the high efficacy of UV-C technology against pathogens translates into fewer outbreaks, which prevents cancellations, staff redundancies or, in the worst case, the closure of the hotel during the relevant quarantine period. All this allows hotels to save hundreds of thousands of euros and strengthen customer confidence by avoiding these types of mishaps.
Bet on SUSTAINABLE SECURITY
Chemical disinfectants on the market today are safe, but prolonged or improper use can be harmful to the health of people, especially cleaning personnel who have continuous contact with them. The pandemic has caused an increase in the use of this type of product, and disinfection has often been prioritized over safety, exacerbating the risks for both workers and customers, since these chemical compounds can remain in the air for a long time. a relatively long time, causing especially respiratory and eye irritations.Society has assumed these risks because the force and speed of the pandemic have forced us to adapt, seek the lesser evil, but once the peak moment has passed, it is necessary to redirect these actions. UV-C disinfection is presented as the best alternative since it is safer and more effective: if used correctly, it completely avoids assuming this type of problems associated with chemical disinfection.
ADAPTATION: To each, his own
Despite the enormous benefits of UV-C, it is also necessary to bear in mind the need for there to be an adaptation process between technology and processes; This assumes that the technology adapts to hotel procedures. And in the same way, that the devices adapt their design according to the style of each establishment so that these disinfection elements, if they are fixed installation, go practically, almost unnoticed. No disinfection process is good if it excessively alters the normal rhythm of work or deteriorates its aesthetics. This is why it is necessary to carry out a BIO-OPTICAL PROJECT, where the spaces are analyzed, the work procedures are contemplated, the areas to be disinfected are prioritized, the suitable UV-C equipment is selected or designed, tests of operation and safety, and finally, the germicidal power of the devices is verified in situ, thus achieving the validation of the UV-C disinfection system.
AIR as a starting point
Published scientific studies indicate that the rate of contagion by air is a key factor, above the possibilities of contagion through surfaces. For this reason, the management of air disinfection, from the heart of the HVAC equipment in establishments, is crucial for the hotel sector. Cleaner air creates biologically safe environments. And not only is it a quality element for the customer, but also, the installation of UV-C devices in the air handling units (AHU) provides a better operation of the system, with its corresponding energy and maintenance savings.The near FUTURE
It seems that the light is beginning to be seen at the end of the tunnel regarding the current pandemic. However, scientists predict that infectious outbreaks will be increasingly frequent due to multiple causes: microorganisms that are increasingly better armed and more resistant to antibiotics and drugs, new variants of the viruses already present, the appearance of new pathogens, etc. All this, added to a globalized world, means that we have to consider prevention plans that help us face and avoid future health and economic crises. There is no doubt that, if we should have learned something, it is not only how to fight pandemics, but how to prevent them.The consumer has learned to value something that until now had not even paid attention to the biological safety of the environments in which it moves. That is why hotels must work to offer high standards of disinfection. And currently, UV-C light disinfection is the most powerful tool for the hospitality industry to meet these goals.
Mutua Montañesa Hospital uses Fotoglass and Lãberit's ultraviolet-C technology to disinfect its facilities against covid-19
In the mutual hospital in Santander, tests of multidisciplinary disinfection and analysis work have been carried out for several weeks, which has offered remarkable results against hospital infections, and which represents a firm commitment to the prevention of pandemics.
Mutua Montañesa, a mutual collaborator with Social Security number 7 and with more than a century of a life dedicated to managing the occupational health of its companies and protected workers, continues to be at the forefront when it comes to using the best technologies at the service of its users. Thus, for several weeks it has carried out a series of tests together with Fotoglass and Lãberit to test ultraviolet-C technology in the disinfection of its facilities, especially in the face of the threat of coronavirus.
These tests have been carried out at the facilities of the Mutua Montañesa Hospital with the coordinated participation of the Center's Management, the Innovation area, and the Hospital Maintenance service, the Lãberit company, as the one in charge of supplying the ultraviolet-C disinfection equipment, called SANUVOX ASEPT.2x, and the Fotoglass company as responsible for the study necessary for its correct implantation and validation of the germicidal effect.
During the past month of May, the ASEPT.2x system was used, a device for disinfection of operating rooms, treatment rooms, rooms, and other rooms using ultraviolet-C light, whose technology is a powerful disinfectant against any type of microorganism. According to their estimates, no pathogen is resistant to this system, and by not using chemicals, it is a clean technology, without waste and a commitment to sustainability.
The Fotoglass study has been advised by Mr. José Luis Fernandez Luna, Coordinator of Genetics of the Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, and by the professors of the Optics Group of the University of Cantabria, Mr. Fernando Moreno and Mr. Francisco González.
A clean and sustainable weapon against hospital infections.
For the implementation of these devices in the Mutua Montañesa Hospital, the services of the Fotoglass company were counted on, experts in carrying out bio-optical projects where light is the tool to solve problems such as, in this case, biological infections. His work consisted of, through radiometric analysis, determining the places and times necessary for the correct disinfection by the ASEPT.2x equipment and, in addition, checking their correct germicidal power in situ.
In addition to Mutua Montañesa, other centers in Spain have the help of this type of technology in the fight against persistent hospital infections, even more so since the beginning of the current pandemic, in which health environments became high-risk areas and they demand fast-acting systems to achieve high levels of biosafety. For example, they are used in centers such as the prestigious Clínica Universidad de Navarra or the general services company Eulen.
The use of ultraviolet-C technology makes it possible to consolidate a quality project to achieve the seal of the International Joint Commission, in charge of evaluating and accrediting hospital excellence, and which has become the most important and complex hospital quality standard worldwide.
A hospital at the forefront of biosafety.
Disinfection with ultraviolet-C places Mutua Montañesa at the forefront in everything related to biosecurity, as it is a technology that is highly effective, fast, and economical, as well as clean and respectful with the environment. A technology that is beginning to be used in facilities as critical as those of the food industry, transport, education, hotel establishments and, in this case, sanitary facilities. "The development of this type of project is increasingly demanded by these sectors that seek an increase in biosafety, but with high levels of confidence. For this reason, expert advice on the implementation of this technology is of vital importance”, says the person in charge of biodosimetry at Fotoglass, Verónica VidalOn the part of the Mutua Montañesa Hospital, its director, Javier Pérez de la Torrehas stated that he is "very satisfied with the results since disinfection rates higher than 99.9% were achieved in very short times, 10-12 minutes per stay." For the Director of Health Management Development Luis María Truánhas stressed that this type of technology "is a clear commitment to prevention and biosafety, especially necessary in times of pandemic in vital places such as hospitals and medical centres." Mutua Montañesa continues in its commitment to technology and innovation when applying them in all its areas of action, intending to offer the closest and fully guaranteed service to its members.ANNEXED. ABOUT MUTUA MONTAÑESA:
Mutua Montañesa is a Collaborating Entity with Social Security, constituted as an association of non-profit entrepreneurs from all areas of economic activity. Its task is to fully manage contingencies arising from work accidents and occupational diseases and economic benefits related to incapacity for work due to common illness, as well as those other benefits entrusted by Social Security, throughout the national territory. Since its foundation in 1905 in Santander, its commitment has been specified in offering the highest quality of service and optimal advice, managing health in the workplace.
The Mutua Montañesa Hospital, inaugurated in 1973, currently offers highly specialized medical-surgical and rehabilitation care, counting on cutting-edge technological equipment and excellent professionals. Annually, they perform about 1,000 surgeries in more than 2,000 meters of facilities.
More information in www.mutuamontanesa.es
PRESS CONTACT:
- Mutua Montañesa, External Communication
- Tfno: 942.20.41.00
- c.externa@mutuamontanesa.es
ANNEXED. ABOUT FOTOGLASS:
Fotoglass is a leading Cantabrian company in bio-optics that combines optics and biomedicine. Its activity focuses on the use of light as a tool to solve problems in a living environment, such as the inactivation of pathogens by ultraviolet C, the ability to accurately discern between tumour and non-tumour tissue by nanoplasmonic technology, the use of chromatography within food or the creation of smart textiles. It collaborates with the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital and the University of Cantabria.
More information in www.fotoglass.es
PRESS CONTACT:
- Paloma Rovira
- Tfno: 653 914 101
- paloma.rovira@fotoglass.es
ANNEXED. ABOUT LÃBERIT:
Dedicated to the development of software and technological solutions, the merger of eight companies belonging to the Alfatec Sistemas Group arises (Alfatec Sistemas, Datanet Consultores, Datanet Corentia, ITE4, Mobilendo, Rumbo, Rudo and Vigartel). The result is a new firm, which will operate independently from other group companies such as InlogiQ, Geekshubs, Cablealia, Disid, Kuara and Qwerty.
Specially focused on sectors such as health, industry and public administrations, Lãberit has its interests in Latin America, Africa, the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom. In Spain, Lãberit has 13 offices and a staff of 800 people.
More information in www.laberit.com
PRESS CONTACT:
- Nuria Pérez
- Tfno: 646 310 672
- nperez@alfatecsistemas.es
Bio-Optics, where light and life meet
La combinación Bio-Óptica, obviamente, tiene una traducción multidisciplinar. Por una parte, la Óptica, es la rama de la física que estudia el comportamiento y las propiedades de la “luz” en el rango Ultravioleta (UV), Visible (VIS) e Infrarrojo cercano (IR), incluyendo sus interacciones con la materia, así como la construcción de instrumentos que se sirven de la luz. Por otra parte, la palabra Bio es un término, referido a la Vida, estudiado en disciplinas como la Biología y la Biomedicina.
BIO-OPTICS AGAINST SARS-CoV-2. Cantabria at the forefront in research on disinfection with ultraviolet C light in the health field
FOTOGLASS has carried out a pilot project at the Mompía Clinic together with the manufacturer Sewertronics.
Ultraviolet light directly attacks the DNA / RNA of the pathogen, preventing its replication and eliminating its ability to cause infections.
The leading Spanish company in biomedical optics, FOTOGLASS, has carried out a UVC pilot project at the Mompía Clinic, of the AXA SEGUROS group. The bio-optical project, based on the implantation of an ultraviolet C (UVC) disinfection system in the healthcare field, has been tested in situ by active means, that is, directly on biological material. In this way, it has been possible to precisely determine the germicidal effect of the different devices that have participated in the project and thus validate their operation at the Mompía facilities. The areas selected for UVC disinfection have been the operating rooms, the intervention room and the dilatation rooms.
t is the first UVC system implemented in Cantabria, in which the equipment manufacturer Sewertronics has participated with its Speedycare models. It is one more bet of the Mompía Clinic where one of its highest values is innovation in hospital security, making the center a safe space, after recently obtaining the Global Safe Site certification. Global Safe Site certification.
Ultraviolet light directly attacks the DNA / RNA of the pathogen, preventing its replication, and eliminating its infective capacity. “This is how it becomes the best germicidal agent to destroy viruses or bacteria since no pathogen is resistant to ultraviolet light. Being a broad spectrum technique, in which the type of pathogen in question does not matter, is where the enormous potential of ultraviolet light resides to prevent the spread of infections, something that happens in pandemics”, acknowledges José Luis Fernández Luna, Genetics Coordinator of he Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV) and scientific advisor to the Biomedical Division of FOTOGLASS.
t is the first UVC system implemented in Cantabria, in which the equipment manufacturer Sewertronics has participated with its Speedycare models. It is one more bet of the Mompía Clinic where one of its highest values is innovation in hospital security, making the center a safe space, after recently obtaining the Global Safe Site certification. Global Safe Site certification.
Ultraviolet light directly attacks the DNA / RNA of the pathogen, preventing its replication, and eliminating its infective capacity. “This is how it becomes the best germicidal agent to destroy viruses or bacteria since no pathogen is resistant to ultraviolet light. Being a broad spectrum technique, in which the type of pathogen in question does not matter, is where the enormous potential of ultraviolet light resides to prevent the spread of infections, something that happens in pandemics”, acknowledges José Luis Fernández Luna, Genetics Coordinator of he Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV) and scientific advisor to the Biomedical Division of FOTOGLASS.
The bio-optical project developed by FOTOGLASS involves a radiometric study based on virtual reality that simulates on a computer the real conditions of a certain space to be decontaminated."The virtual simulation of the radiometric problem makes it possible to predict" in-situ "the doses necessary to achieve the desired germicidal effect with a given UVC system, saving the, reproduction of the most costly real situations in time and moneyThis also serves to guide the biological study and, therefore, to the manufacturers of this type of device”, says Fernando Moreno, Professor of Optics at the UC and one of those responsible for this study. In the project, a study of microbial contamination has been carried out that has made it possible to identify the so-called hot spotswhich are of special attention in the subsequent radiometric analysis since they are where the irradiation levels must be guaranteed during the established exposure time. At these points, the risk of disease transmission increases as they are high-frequency contact surfaces.
For the implementation and verification of the disinfection system, biodosimeters designed by FOTOGLASS are used, with which to accurately know the germicidal effect of the solution. These devices house non-pathogenic biological material that responds to UVC, like pathogens, but maintain the degree of biosafety necessary to work in open spaces.The assessment of the degree of reduction or elimination of microbiological contamination in biodosimeters is carried out thanks to the use of a computer program, capable of quantifying bacterial growth and, therefore, the degree of disinfection achieved (logarithmic reduction).
In this regard, Dr. Jesús Mozota, Director of Preventive Medicine at the Mompía Clinic, has assured that “since the pandemic began, our main concern has been to work on the prevention mechanisms against Covid-19 and we have tested the disinfection system of ultraviolet C light in the R&D line of work that we develop in this clinic and the truth is that it is a very good disinfection method for both Covid-19 and multi-resistant microorganisms”.
For the implementation and verification of the disinfection system, biodosimeters designed by FOTOGLASS are used, with which to accurately know the germicidal effect of the solution. These devices house non-pathogenic biological material that responds to UVC, like pathogens, but maintain the degree of biosafety necessary to work in open spaces.The assessment of the degree of reduction or elimination of microbiological contamination in biodosimeters is carried out thanks to the use of a computer program, capable of quantifying bacterial growth and, therefore, the degree of disinfection achieved (logarithmic reduction).
In this regard, Dr. Jesús Mozota, Director of Preventive Medicine at the Mompía Clinic, has assured that “since the pandemic began, our main concern has been to work on the prevention mechanisms against Covid-19 and we have tested the disinfection system of ultraviolet C light in the R&D line of work that we develop in this clinic and the truth is that it is a very good disinfection method for both Covid-19 and multi-resistant microorganisms”.
The project carried out by FOTOGLASS includes aspects such as the disinfection times required to achieve the necessary doses and the suitability of each device according to the spaces to be disinfected, as well as the optimization of the degree of disinfection, its cost and maintenance, and the safety of people and the installations. "With this system, important improvements are achieved in disinfection times, fundamental in areas such as operating rooms and UCIS," as well as a decrease in disinfection application and maintenance costs, "says UC professor Francisco González.
JOSÉ LUIS FERNÁNDEZ LUNA, an advisor to the biomedical division of FOTOGLASS, leads the new national Genomic Medicine program in Cantabria
José Luis Fernández Luna, coordinator of Molecular Genetics at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV), will lead the Genomic Medicine Program in Cantabria
FOTOGLASS present at METANANO 2020
METANANO 2020, the fifth edition of the International Conference on Metamaterials and Nanophotonics, which took place from September 14 to 18 via online, has had the participation of Fernando Moreno, partner of Fotoglass.
Francisco González, scientific advisor to Fotoglass, takes over as director of the Department of Applied Physics at the University of Cantabria (UC)
The Professor of Optics Francisco González Fernández has taken up his post this morning as Director of the Department of Applied Physics at the University of Cantabria (UC), replacing Professor Fernando Moreno Gracia.
"The University of Cantabria has celebrated this Monday the award ceremony of the Research Awards Social Council and the Business Collaboration Award of the Leonardo Torres Quevedo Foundation.
D. from the University of Cantabria in 1984 and Professor of Optics at the same university since 2002, Professor González Fernández's lines of research have been in fields such as Spectroscopy, Scattering of electromagnetic radiation by rough surfaces and microparticles, Physiological Optics, Colorimetry and, for the last 15 years, Nanophotonics, analysing the electromagnetic behaviour of metallic and dielectric nanostructures with applications in biomedicine, photocatalytic processes, the control of the directionality of 'diffused' radiation, etc.
He is co-author of more than 150 articles, 200 conference papers and 6 patents. For more than twenty years, he has been collaborating with researchers from international centres such as the Fresnel Institute in Marseille (France), CNR - NANOTEC, Bari (Italy), Duke University (USA) and the Army Research Laboratory (Maryland, USA).
D. from the University of Cantabria in 1984 and Professor of Optics at the same university since 2002, Professor González Fernández's lines of research have been in fields such as Spectroscopy, Scattering of electromagnetic radiation by rough surfaces and microparticles, Physiological Optics, Colorimetry and, for the last 15 years, Nanophotonics, analysing the electromagnetic behaviour of metallic and dielectric nanostructures with applications in biomedicine, photocatalytic processes, the control of the directionality of 'diffused' radiation, etc.
He is co-author of more than 150 articles, 200 conference papers and 6 patents.