Respiray’s wearable air purifier kills 99% of viruses

UV technology company Respiray has launched a wearable air purifier that disinfects up to 99% of airborne bacteria and viruses.

The Estonian-based technology firm has created a 21st-century alternative to traditional and more intrusive facemasks. It’s a hybrid solution that is more than just a face mask alternative – it’s a personal air purifier that uses UV-C light to inactivate viruses.

Worn over the shoulders like a collar, the device sits on a wearer’s upper chest, with an optional clear shield that comes up to just above your nose to allow for easy breathing without any discomfort. The air purifier takes in unfiltered air, runs it through the UV disinfection module, and blows virus-free air to the front of the wearer’s face.

The technology behind this innovation is patent-pending UV-C disinfection modules that are unique in their concept – they provide maximum disinfection with minimum energy consumption. This enabled Respiray to design a wearable product that efficiently kills viruses, and lets the wearer breathe effortlessly without the need to cover the wearer`s face  – making Respiray the first of its kind.

The patent-pending UV-C disinfection modules have been independently tested with results verified by the University of Tartu and the University of Lodz, where they achieved over 99% effectiveness at inactivating various viruses and bacteria – including seasonal flu and other common respiratory illnesses. Tests also proved zero emittance of ozone and the UV-C LEDs inside the device are sealed in double plastic enclosures to prevent any leaks of ultraviolet light.

The Head of Biosafety Core Facility at the University of Tartu PhD, Liane Viru said:

“The efficiency test of the UV-C module was performed on Alphavirus to research if and how effectively the device inactivates virus particles. Alphavirus is a similar single-stranded RNA-genome virus to SARS-CoV-2 and both viruses are comparable in size: approximately 70-100 nanometres. The results concluded that 99.4% of the virus particles were inactivated. It’s important to highlight the significance of these findings, because the remaining diminutive concentration of virus particles is very unlikely to cause infection in the target organism.”

Early adoption of Respiray’s wearable device has proven popular amongst businesses and professions where frequent close contact with customers or the public is required. The Estonian Ministry of Health has already distributed units amongst schools that have proven particularly popular amongst teachers, who are able to interact in a much more emotive and ‘human’ way with pupils thanks to the transparent shield.

Respiray’s founder, Indrek Neivelt said:

“The current pandemic has shown us the devastating consequences of respiratory viruses. To fight the pandemic, we need to have a hybrid approach and use different protective measures to stop the spread of the virus: strengthening our immune systems, vaccines, rapid testing, improved ventilation, air purifiers and face masks."

“Respiray offers a unique hybrid solution — a personal air purifier that immediately disinfects the air we breathe, as opposed to using an air purifier, which takes roughly an hour to purify a whole room. Respiray provides additional protection against airborne viruses without the need to cover our faces.”

About Respiray:

Respiray is an Estonian technology company that was founded in spring 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. The mission is simple – to transform the way we fight viruses and bacteria using the latest UV-C technology. 

Respiray emerged from the research and development company, Ldiamon – a business that boasts over 15 years’ experience developing and manufacturing UV-C LED sensors for medical applications. The founders of Respiray are Aleksandr Frorip, Robert Arus, and Indrek Neivelt. The company has received €1.5 million funding from Skype’s co-founder, parent-company Ldiamon and other private investors.