The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 3B Medical Emergency Use Authorization to permit use of Lumin, an ultraviolet-C (UVC) system, on N95 respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lumin was designed to clean CPAP accessories but is also used as a multi-purpose sanitizer. The decision allows Lumin to be used by healthcare workers employed in nursing homes, long term acute care, ambulatory, primary care, and clinics to allow N95 re-use to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The CDC has recognized UVC as a potential means of decontaminating N95 respirators, if the proper wavelength and UVC irradiance dose were used. Lumin can be purchased for under $300 and has a footprint that allows for use small offices and clinics, as well as in nursing homes.
“The COVID-19 global pandemic requires novel approaches and thinking outside the box. We were starting to get inundated with calls from hospitals and nursing homes asking if Lumin was strong enough to kill SARS-CoV-2. Lumin’s total output in a single 5 minute cycle ranges up to 2,400 mJ/cm2, which studies show is sufficient to kill almost any pathogen, including SARS-CoV-2. A lot of the calls coming into our office are from fire & rescue departments, nursing homes and smaller community hospitals, clinics and primary care physician offices trying to keep their workers safe. Lumin is likely the only device designed for home use that is powered high enough to repurpose for this use. We are very excited to have our device authorized by FDA for this application”, says Alex Lucio, CEO of 3B Medical Inc, in a release.
N95 mask shortages have been widely reported throughout the country, and globally. “Being able to re-use an N95 mask quickly and effortlessly is a game-changer for allowing healthcare workers to remain safe. Front line healthcare workers are in dire need of an immediate solution to re-use their masks. Lumin is fast and easy to use and we are glad the device could be re-purposed to meet that need in this crisis,” Lucio says.
