Development of a Portable Microplasma Far-UVC Source for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) identifies antibiotic resistance as one of the most significant public health challenges, affecting over 2 million Americans annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned that the growing crisis of antibiotic resistance threatens to reverse a century of medical progress. The Infectious Disease Society of America reports a critical shortage of antibiotics in development capable of addressing the rising number of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This crisis is further compounded by the rapid increase in resistance. Nature projects 40 million deaths from drug-resistant infections by 2050, with a 70% increase in such deaths. Preventing these infections is challenging due to increased contamination risk, the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, chronic conditions in patients, and environmental factors in medical treatment areas, including surgical rooms. To address this challenge, Eden Park Illumination, a leader in far-UVC microplasma lamp development, is partnering with Spectrum Medical Technologies, the inventor of Surgical Site Light™ technology, to propose a human-safe, advanced far-UVC phototherapy platform with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Far-UVC phototherapy offers a simple, cost-effective solution that meets the global demand for alternative therapies to combat this growing public health threat. It is especially well-suited for preventing and treating surgical site infections and chronically infected, non-healing wounds, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The Phase I program will focus on designing and developing a proof of concept for a new broadband phosphor-based far-UVC microplasma device, which can be incorporated into a surgical instrument to inactivate methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). In Phase II, the prototype in commercialization will undergo clinical evaluation (animal studies) to assess exposure safety concerning host DNA damage and to optimize the platform for effective surgical site infection prevention.