The portable Bioquell Q-10 system effectively and safely bio-decontaminates rooms, equipment and electronic devices in hospital environments, eradicating problematic bacteria, fungi and viruses in the fight against ‘superbugs’. Analytical Technology’s electrochemical gas sensors are fundamental to help optimise the HPV concentration to achieve surface sterilisation in the target area during the bio-decontamination process and for ensuring Bioquell’s Q-10 system has returned the target area to a safe HPV level prior to re-entry.
Bioquell’s system provides safe and repeatable sterilisation of hospital environments. One of the benefits of this new treatment is that it can be safely used on sensitive equipment and electronics which are incompatible with chlorine-based products such as bleach. The process is 'residue-free', breaking down to water vapour and oxygen, representing an environmentally friendly biocide and leaving no residual odour. As a result, Bioquell’s system can be used on a daily basis in fully functioning hospitals to decontaminate patient rooms and other units in less than two hours depending on the room size, materials and starting environmental conditions.
Due to the commercial constraints on the healthcare industry, Bioquell worked together with Analytical Technology to integrate a replaceable sensor into the Bioquell Q-10, removing the need for more expensive sensors that require regular checks and maintenance. They also developed a unique protocol for calibrating the sensors using H2O2, giving Bioquell a huge technical advantage over other solution providers.
Oliver Cumberlege, head of research and development at Bioquell, said: “Bioquell was looking for a cost effective H2O2 measurement cell to integrate into our sensor package. Working with Analytical Technology allowed us to add features to increase its sensitivity and response time and develop a package to a price whereby it is more cost-effective to replace the complete unit rather than re-calibrate.”