The Center of Excellence in Medical Technology and Innovation, KKU, has cooperated with the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering to create the “KKU Mobile COVID-19 Killer and Robot Assistant” and donated it to Srinakarin Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University.
On April 29, 2020, Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, Acting President of Khon Kaen University, presided over the donation ceremony, and Prof. Thidarut Boonmars, Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise, Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, KKU, Assoc. Prof. Pakaphan Kiatchoosakun, Head of Pediatrics Department, KKU, and medical staff attended. This innovation was created by the Center of Excellence in Medical Technology and Innovation, KKU, and Prof. Pewpan Maleewong, Assistant to the President for Research and Academic Services, Asst. Prof. Chatchai Khunboa, Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Asst. Prof. Rattapon Uppala, Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, KKU, and staff of the Faculty of Medicine.
The “KKU Mobile COVID-19 Killer and Robot Assistant” aims to prevent infection by microorganisms and decrease the risk from close contact between medical staff, patients and customers in the hospital, as well as to provide efficient services through technology and develop medical technology to meet future needs.
Prof. Pewpan Maleewong, Assistant to the President for Research and Academic Services said that according to the COVID-19 situation, it is important to prevent infections. Thus, they would like to apply their research and practical laboratory knowledge to develop an innovation. The “KKU Mobile COVID-19 Killer” is made from a 253.7 Nanometer UVC sterilizer lamp and a motion sensor that triggers an emergency shutdown mode, used to prevent harm when people are close to the device. Inside the device is a 1000 Watt UPS which lasts up to 2 hours. The device has 2 main settings. The first setting is used when in lifts or rooms that need cleaning, and the second setting is used when sterilizing hospital beds, which takes only 15 minutes at a 50 centimeter distance. One intention is that it can be used in lifts because they see a lot of use, no matter whether they are in hospitals, hotels, or other buildings.
Prof. Pewpan Maleewong, Assistant to the President for Research and Academic Services also said that the Center of Excellence in Medical Technology and Innovation, KKU, cooperated with the Faculty of Engineering network, to create 3 KKU Mobile CoVid-19 Killers and has donated two models to Srinakarin Hospital and one to Queen Sirikit Heart Center.
Asst. Prof. Chatchai Khunboa, Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, KKU, said that the intention of the KKU Mobile COVID-19 Killer is that it can be mobile with a battery life of 1-2 hrs., and can be used in lifts and open spaces by having a safety sensor. Besides, it can be set up in rooms that need cleaning and at hospital beds to boost the confidence of doctors, medical staff, nurses, and patients.
Asst. Prof. Rattapon Uppala, Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, KKU, said the objectives of the robot assistant are: 1.) to work instead of medical staff when taking care of patients, especially COVID-19 patients, as it can talk with patients, do medical check-ups, oxygen scanning, and take pulse and temperature readings, 2.) to reduce the risk of direct contact, 3.) to reduce resources, such as PPE clothes used when medical staff need to be in direct contact with patients, and 4.) to be convenient by being mobile. It is hoped that in the future, the robot will be further developed to have more functions, such as taking blood pressure, using a stethoscope, and performing other tasks for medical staff.
[ Thai ]
