Virtual reality can be used for training, to speed up operations, and to increase accuracy in a wide range of industries. One of the most promising applications is in medicine. Patients recovering from a stroke can regain their range of motion much more easily with HTC VIVE headsets. However, the gadgets have to be sanitized in between users to avoid contamination. The best way to clean VIVE lenses is to use a CleanBox.
This device makes use of UVC light to deactivate harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Unlike wiping, the method is highly effective, cheap, and safe for both the users and the environment. Because operating a cleaning box is very simple, employees won’t need to go through a lengthy training process. Read on to find out how a UV cleaning box can help keep patients safe when they use VR devices in a hospital setting.
Sanitizing HTC VIVE Headsets That Are Helping Patients Recover From Strokes
Neurorehabilitation is extremely complex, and it can take years for patients to recover from a stroke. An HTC VIVE headset can speed up the process because it grants patients access to software that facilitates neuroplastic changes, which happen in the brain when the patient is learning new things. The headset can track the body’s movements, give the patient auditory and visual cues, and enhance the efficiency of the exercise routine.
Because each VIVE device costs several hundreds of dollars, most hospitals won’t be able to purchase an individual headset for every patient. Instead, the VR gadgets will be shared, and they need to be sanitized in between each user. The best way to clean a headset is with ultraviolet light because this can kill 99.999% of bacteria and viruses, and it doesn’t cost as much as traditional wipes.
How to Clean VIVE Lenses
Carrying out UV disinfection isn’t complex. Employees simply open the cleaning box and place the dirty headset inside, then close the door and select the correct cycle. After one minute, the headset can be removed, and it is safe to pass on to the next person. Under normal circumstances, no additional materials are required. Employees only need to wipe the headset if it is visibly dirty, for example if there is dust on it.
Because the process is so simple, almost everyone can sanitize VR devices with ultraviolet light, and no extra training sessions are required for employees. What’s more, the cleaning cycle is very quick, so very little time is lost. In contrast, wiping might take longer, and it requires some training because employees need to be shown where the wipes are, how to dispose of them safely, and how to make sure as much of the device is disinfected as possible.
How Does UV Sanitation Work?
The products from CleanBox use patented UVC LED light engineering technology. UVC light is very specific, and it doesn’t occur in nature. When applied to a headset, earphones, or another device, it targets the DNA and RNA of viruses and bacteria living on the surface. Because the genetic material of the microorganisms is broken, they can no longer replicate, so they can’t cause an infection.
The cleaning boxes are highly effective because they are designed with electronic gadgets such as headsets in mind. No shadows are created inside the box, which means that every surface can be cleaned, even if it isn’t straight or even. Many of the UV cleaning boxes contain rotating quartz plates, over 30 LEDs, and reflective materials to make sure that no angle is missed.
Why Use CleanBox for VR Headsets?
Hospital staff have to clean VIVE lenses whenever a patient has worn them. This process can take up a lot of time and cost a significant amount of money. UV sanitation makes disinfection much simpler because it is quick and easy, so training sessions don’t have to be interrupted or cut short.
What’s more, both patients and staff will be safer, and the environment won’t be taxed because no waste is created during the sanitation process. Most hospitals find that acquiring a UV disinfection box has many advantages and is cheaper in the long run than traditional wiping or spraying.
Patient Safety Can Be Guaranteed
When hospital staff use wipes to disinfect electronic devices, there is no guarantee that the patient will be safe because there’s no way of verifying whether all pathogens have been removed. Many VR devices don’t have even surfaces, so they are almost impossible to wipe properly. In contrast, UV light deactivates virtually all pathogens, and there isn’t any doubt that equipment is sanitized after it is removed from the cleaning box.
Another reason why many experts consider UV cleaning safer is that no harmful chemicals are used. VR equipment is meant to be worn on the head, and repeatedly wiping it with chemical substances isn’t ideal, especially since some patients might have allergies or sensitivities. During UV cleaning, nobody is put at risk because the ultraviolet light is contained in the box, and no radiation remains on the device once it is removed.
Hospital Operations Can Be Sped Up
In a hospital setting, time is of the essence. If patients have to wait for 5-10 minutes every time while the headsets are sanitized, they are losing out on valuable time that could be spent rehabilitating. UV disinfection is extremely easy to set up, and each cleaning cycle only takes one minute. Therefore, the time spent on therapy can be increased, or more patients can be treated in the same amount of time.
Waste and Chemical Use Can Be Diminished
Approximately one pound of waste is created per hospital bed per day. In a big institution, this adds up to many tonnes of trash every year, which are expensive to dispose of and tax the environment. Using UV sanitation is a great way of reducing the number of plastic wipes that end up in landfill. Additionally, hospitals can reduce the amount of chemicals they use, which is better for the health of staff and patients.
UV Cleaning Is Cheaper than Traditional Cleaning
The initial expense of buying a UV sanitation device is high, but each box can last for 600,000 cleaning cycles. Since hospitals are likely to buy large boxes that can accommodate multiple pieces of equipment at once, this is the equivalent of millions of wipes. When used consistently, a cleaning box can reduce costs by a factor of 40 because no disposable items have to be purchased and because each cleaning cycle only takes a small amount of electricity.
It’s also worth considering that VIVE lenses and other expensive VR equipment is likely to last longer when it is sanitized with UV light. The materials aren’t exposed to harsh chemicals, and they aren’t handled by staff during the cleaning process. This means that the headsets won’t have to be replaced as frequently.
HTC VIVE headsets and other tools used in hospital settings need to be sanitized before they are passed on to a new patient or employee. The most effective and cheapest method is UV cleaning, which kills 99.999% of bacteria and viruses. Get in touch with us at CleanBox and book a free demo to find out how you can clean VIVE lenses with ultraviolet light. Our product specialists can explain the various options and draw up a customized solution for you.
