Jun 6 2012
ITT
Exelis (NYSE: XLS) and Altapure,
LLC are launching a new model of their state-of-the-art disinfection
system at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and
Epidemiology annual conference this week in San Antonio, Texas.
The two companies have worked jointly for the past seven years to
develop a portable nebulizer that eradicates viruses, bacteria, spores
and fungi in less than 10 minutes. The Exelis technology enables the
ultrasonic subsystem of Altapure's nebulizer to deliver a robust, dense
cloud of sub-micron droplets, providing high-level disinfection or
decontamination of large areas. The first application of the technology
has been in medical centers where cleanliness and patient safety are
paramount.
The initial Altapure system has been successfully piloted in targeted
hospitals during the past year, and the new model, the HJ-30i, delivers
major breakthroughs in size, weight, performance flexibility and
scalability.
One-third the size and weight of the previous model, the HJ-30i still
delivers the same proven performance and also is capable of changing the
size and concentration of its disinfectant solution with commands from a
remote control unit. Different decontamination applications may require
changes in droplet size, so the HJ-30i provides the necessary
flexibility to perform these diverse missions.
In order to treat large areas, it may be necessary to link more than one
machine together. The Altapure HJ-30i can be connected to other systems
over the "Altanet" equipment network, providing a unique scalability to
meet virtually any disinfection challenge.
"The Altapure HJ-30i's size, performance and scalability provide
unmatched disinfection effectiveness and efficiency," said Chris
Bernhardt, Exelis executive vice president and president of the Electronic
Systems division. "This milestone is another sign of the Exelis
commitment to finding innovative ways to adapt our advanced technologies
to solve today's challenges, both for our defense customers and for
targeted commercial markets."
Exelis initially developed its piezoelectric ceramic-based technology so
underwater sensors could be the eyes and ears of submarines. The company
has adapted this technology to enable the nebulizer to destroy a wide
range of pathogens at a reduced time and expense and at greater efficacy
when compared to existing methods.
The automated operation decreases the risk of human exposure, both for
patients and hospital employees. The Altapure solution is non-corrosive,
leaves no residue and is approved by the Environmental Protection
Agency. Rooms treated by the nebulizer can be reoccupied within 30
minutes.
"Our 'no touch' technology provides medical centers with a
high-performing, high-speed solution to keep their environments safe and
clean," said Carl Ricciardi, Altapure co-founder and president. "The
Altapure HJ-30i is another step forward in our mission to deliver pure
peace of mind to our customers and, ultimately, to hospital patients
around the world."