Lithuanian researchers develop dental equipment that destroys viruses

The equipment, consisting of an air purifier, a protective shield and a dental water disinfection module, was created by scientists from Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and the Senamiesčio Stomatologijos Klinika dental clinic. The devices use short-wave high-intensity narrow-spectrum (HINS) ultraviolet (UV) rays to destroy the viability of various viruses. Although UV disinfection methods are not new in dentistry, the researchers noted that most products on the market use different wavelengths of UV-C, and these radiation sources have limiting usage requirements.

“For example, the quartz lamps that are still used for indoor disinfection complicate the specialist’s work, because during disinfection people have to leave the area. Also, the effectiveness of these lamps in destroying virus cells declines in the wider operating range—there should be a small distance between the germicidal lamp and the area to be disinfected, and the greater the distance, the longer the surface should be irradiated,” explained project manager Prof. Vaidas Gaidelys of the School of Economics and Business at KTU.

“HINS rays have a high degree of efficiency in destroying SARS-CoV-2 virus cells, but [they] can also be used to protect against various forms of influenza or other viral cells,” he noted.

Project manager Prof. Vaidas Gaidelys from Kaunas University of Technology School of Economics and Business. (Image: KTU)

The devices

The air purifier consists of an aerosol disinfection module, which is placed such that it does not interfere with the dental professional’s work, and an air suction pipe, which is directed at the patient’s face at a distance of 20 cm. “The air then travels through the primary filter to the closed container inside the air purifier, where the virus cells attach [themselves] to the secondary filter. For a certain time, this filter is illuminated with HINS rays, which destroy the virus cells,” Prof. Gaidelys explained.

The protective shield is a glass barrier module that separates the patient and the dental professional. This transparent protective barrier is disinfected with UV radiation via lamps integrated into its frame as particles produced during dental procedures settle on it.

The dental water disinfection module uses HINS light sources to disinfect the liquids collected via a saliva ejector during dental treatment. Disinfection of this liquid, which is typically drained into the general sewage system, ensures that virus cells do not enter the environment. According to Prof. Gaidelys, the module can be integrated into existing dental systems.

According to Prof. Gaidelys, the dental equipment was created in less than a year and is now in the commercialisation stage. The researchers have applied for a patent, have presented the devices to the US market and hope to enter the global market soon.

“Mass production requires a production base and experience in adopting innovations, so we chose the US market as they are very interested in innovations and are ready to invest in them. However, we are also interested in distributing the product in the European Union,” Prof. Gaidelys concluded.

The devices were developed on the basis of market research on products intended to protect against SARS-CoV-2. That research was published online on 1 February 2023 in Sustainability in a study titled “Changes in the competitive environment and their evaluation in the context of COVID-19: A case study”.